93 



generally be perceptible ; but this should subside 

 after two or three hours' rest in the stall. A simple 

 way of assuring oneself of the accuracy of the 

 observation, is by directing the groom to wash the 

 hoofs thoroughly, and noticing whether one of 

 them dries more rapidly than the other. The 

 feverish foot will always become dry first, and will 

 recover its unnatural warmth in a few minutes ; 

 while the sound foot will remain cool. Should a 

 disposition to rest the heated foot be also noticed, 

 the horse may safely be set down as unsound. 



I rejected a horse for this reason a very few 

 weeks after writing the preceding remarks. The 

 owner, who is a friend, as well as client of mine, 

 and a gentleman of great practical skill in stock, 

 had ofiered me the horse on my own terms merely 

 to oblige me, as I had been in treaty for him before 

 he purchased him. He was surprised at my re- 

 jecting him, and still more at the objection I 

 made ; but having no wish to sell the horse, he 

 was rather pleased than otherwise to take him 

 back again. It is now nine months ago, and 

 chronic lameness has shown itself for the last 

 fifteen wrecks in the foot that I suspected. He 

 is now fit for nothing but the leader of a stage. 

 There was no other symptom of disease when I 

 first examined him, than an unnatural heat about 



