SPLINTS. 121 



be round and not heavy ; tlie arms long and strong, 

 with the elbows well away from the ribs. The knees 

 should be firm, flat, broad, and large, without speck or 

 blemish, not having any appearance of scurf on their 

 insides. The legs, from the knees to the fetlocks, to be 

 short and strong, having the sinews flat, strong, and 

 very wiry to the touch : when the line of the sinew 

 deviates from a perfectly straight line, it proves that it 

 has been badly strained, or broken down. The legs 

 must be free from any enlargements, windgalls, or 

 excrescences. If there be an enlargement immediately 

 below and on the inside of the knee, it has been caused 

 by the frequent concussions from the opposite foot, and 

 is known by the name of the speedy cut, because it is 

 done when the horse is moving with rapidity. The 

 horse with a speedy cut is generally safe to ride in the 

 walk, and even in the canter ; but in the trot he is very 

 dangerous ; sometimes falling from the effects of the 

 blow, as if he were shot through the brain. Any en- 

 largements of bony matter on the shanks are known as 

 splints, and constitute unsoundness. The greater pro- 

 portion of horses under seven years of age are fomid 

 with one or more splints on the fore-legs. If they do 

 not interfere Avith the action of the muscles, or threaten 



