CAUSES OF UNSOUNDNESS 89 



Fore-arm. 



There is seldom much in this region to constitute 

 unsoundness, but median neurectomy is now fre- 

 quently performed as a remedy for lameness. It 

 comprises the section and excision of a portion of 

 the median nerve, and the seat of incision for this 

 purpose is on the inner side of the fore-arm, a Httle 

 below the level of the elbow. Evidence of a scar 

 in this region would necessarily excite suspicion, 

 and an intending purchaser will do well to bear 

 this in mind. Although a horse, that has been un- 

 nerved, may continue free from lameness and 

 perform his work satisfactorily, it is, commercially 

 speaking, of no value at all. 



The Knees. 



Most purchasers of horses look at a horse's knees 

 to see whether it has ever fallen, expecting to 

 find evidence of such. A blemished knee does not 

 constitute unsoundness, neither does it necessarily 

 cause any depreciation in the animal's value. Yet 

 it is customary to consider a horse to fall in 

 value ten or fifteen per cent, if it has damaged 

 its knee through accident. A broken knee varies 

 from a mere trifling abrasion, down to one of 



