22 ON SOUNDNESS. 



Blight or trivial, as it can run on to some fatal pulmonary 

 disease, and in many cases become of a chronic nature, 

 which will, in some degree, impair the health of the animal, 

 and render him far less able to perform the same work 

 than he would be if the chronic cough was not present. 



Cataeact and other alterations of the structure in the 

 eyes, that impede, or are likely to impede vision, are to be 

 considered as unsoundness. 



Crib-biting is considered as unsoundness ; as, though 

 at first but a vicious habit, its ultimate effect is to injure 

 both strength and condition, besides the occasional break- 

 ing or wearing of the front teeth, making the animal old 

 before his time, and sometimes rendering it difficult or im- 

 possible for him to graze, when it is absolutely necessary 

 for the benefit of the animal that he should be turned out 

 to grass. 



Curbs are considered as unsoundness, (unless the horse 

 has worked with them for many months without injury or 

 inconvenience,) or should there be inflammation or tender- 

 ness of the parts, or the animal lame. A horse is not return- 

 able if he starts a curb in five minutes after the purchase, 

 as it can be done in a moment, and does not necessarily 

 indicate any previous unsoundness, or weakness of the 

 part. 



Cutting is considered as unsoundness, as it is liable to 

 render the animal seriously injured by its oft-repeated 

 striking; it thickens the parts and enlarges the fetlock, 

 and very often the entire leg is swollen to a great extent; 

 it is also indicative that he is either weak, or has an awk- 

 wardness of gait inconsistent with safety, which may be 

 deemed a serious imperfection. Cutting on the inside, im- 

 mediately below the knee joint, called speedy cut, is also 

 a material defect, as it sometimes causes the horse to fall 



