THE TEST OF SOUNDNESS 17 



veterinary surgeon, or at least a trainer of 

 racehorses, to make head or tail of. Let me 

 trouble you with one definition — the defini- 

 tion of unsoundness, which is "the existence 

 of disease or alteration of structure which 

 does or will interfere with the horse's 

 natural usefulness." Now, if a horse has a 

 disease, such as coughing, which is an un- 

 soundness while it lasts, it is very easy to 

 detect it when you examine the horse ; and 

 as to alteration of structure, if you only make 

 a thorough examination of the joints and 

 tendons of a thoroughly sound horse, and 

 remember what his formation is like, you 

 will very easily note any marked difference 

 which is likely to interfere with your horse's 

 natural usefulness. The test of soundness 

 for your purpose is freedom from lameness 

 in all his paces ; and when you have tried 

 him in this way, it is well to put him back in 

 the stable, and bring him out again when he 

 has had time to cool off If he walks out 

 without any " feeling," then he is sound for 

 your purpose ; and, assuming that you have 



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