CHAPTER V. 



EXAMINING HORSES FOR SOUNDNESS, BY GOOD AU- 

 THORITY. 



SOUND HORSES. 



Absolute soundness rarely, if ever, exists. This being the case, we 

 have' to be contented with "practical soundness," which is the nearest 

 approach to a pe'-fectly sound horse. 



A sound horse is one that is free from all disease and has nothing- 

 about'iiini that interferes or is likely to interfere with his usefulness, 

 or depreciate his value. 



PRACTICALLY AND SERVICEABLY SOUND HORSES. \ 



As practical soundness is what we have to deal with in examining a 

 horse, it must appear, first, that he is free from all disease that renders 

 him unable to do his kind of work as a sound horse should; second, 

 that certain conditions are not present which, in a longer or shorter 

 time, may render him unfit to do the work of a sound horse; third, that 

 nothing exists that tends to depreciate the value of the animal as com- 

 pared to a sound horse. • ' 



How is it best to proceed to examine the animal? We must bear 

 in mind that a horse may be temporarily unsound or permanently un- 

 sound. 



TEMPORARY UNSOUNDNESS CONSIDERED. 



Temporary unsoundness may include certain diseases, of which, after 

 the animal has recovered, little or no trace remains; it also includes 

 certain forms of lameness, as interfering, slight sprains, etc., which sub- 

 side in a short while. In examination it is necessary to look for dis- 

 ease, malformations, etc., and not for soundness. 



EXAMINATION AT REST AND IN MOTION. 



The horse to be examined should be seen, first, at rest, in and out 

 of the stall; second, in motion, both when warmed up and when cooled 

 off. 



WATCH THE HORSE CAREFULLY IN THE STALL FOR HAB- 

 ITS. 



Ascertain how the animal feeds, while at rest in the stall — if he cribs, 

 sucks wind or weaves. Notice his position of standing and watch him 



