87 



situation is such as to impede the motion of the 

 tendons. In this case, it is often accompanied by 

 that sudden dropping which I have already de- 

 scribed as a " misgiving" of the leg, and the horse 

 falls very abruptly ,• perhaps in the middle of his 

 speed. 



I lately had a horse which I had driven for 

 about two years ; I frequently rode him, and with 

 confidence : he never stumbled, or made even a 

 doubtful step. I lent him to a friend, whose ser- 

 vant one day fell with him. He injured his knees 

 very seriously, but in a few weeks recovered his 

 usual action, having been well cured by Mr. 

 Woodin of Park Road, whose skill I have already 

 had occasion to notice. After this I drove him 

 for several months, and considered him sound; 

 but for reasons best known to himself, he twice 

 broke down, even in harness, as suddenly as if he 

 had been shot: of course I parted with him. I 

 never could discover any other defect in this horse 

 than a large '^ double splent," as it is called, in his 

 off fore leg. He was sold at Tattersall's, without 

 a warranty, to a dealer. I inquired about him two 

 months after the sale, but I did not learn that he 

 had ever been down again. 



There is not a dealer in London who will not tell 

 you that splents are of no consequence ; and if by 



