HORSE DOCTOR. 47 



crust, of (he hoof; but there is no infalhble method of 

 detectiiic: this, or the deo^ree in which it must exist in 

 order to constitute unsoundness. Wlien the horn around 

 the bottom of the foot has chipped ofTso mucli that only 

 a skilful smitli can fasten the shoe without pricking the 

 horse, or even when there is a tendency in the horn to 

 chip and break in a much less degree than this, the 

 horse is unsound, for tliis brittleness of the crust is a 

 disease of the part, or it is such an altered structure of 

 it as to interfere rrftiterially with the usefulness of the 

 animal. 



BOG OR BLOOD-SPAVIN 



Is unsoundness, because, althouo-h it may not be pro- 

 ductive of lameness at slow work, the rapid and power- 

 ful action of the hock in quicker motion will produce 

 permanent, yet perhaps not considerable lameness, which 

 can scarcely ever b*e with certainty removed. 



SPLINT. 



It depends entirely on the situation of the bony tumor 

 or the shank-bone, whether it is to be considered as un- 

 soundness. If it is not in the neighborhood of any joint, 

 so as to interfere with its action, and if it does not press 

 upon any ligament or tendon, it may be no cause of un- 

 sounddess. although it is often very unsightly. In many 

 cases it may not lessen the capability and value of the 

 animal. 



THICKENING OF THE BACK SINEWS- 



If the flexor tendons have been sprained, so as to pro- 

 duce considerable thickening of the cellular substance in 

 which their sheatlis are enveloped, they will long after- 

 wards, or perhaps always be liable to sprain, from causes 

 by which they would otherwise be scarcely affected. 

 The conlinuamce of any considerable thickness around 



