ox SOUNDNESS. 31 



soundness ; if, however, tbey are considerable, or attended 

 with the slightest stiffness, they must be considered as 

 such." 



Splint is to be considered as unsoundness, if, according 

 to its situation, likely to aiiect the action of a joint, or to 

 press ui)on any tendon or ligament; or if recent, and evinc- 

 ing tenderness on being pressed; or if they are so large as 

 to be struck by the other leg; but if they are small or 

 moderate in size, and have existed for some time without 

 occasioning lameness, then the animal may be considered 

 as sound, provided the animal is about eight or nine years 

 old; but in a young horse, of about five or six years old, it 

 should be guarded against by a sufficient warranty, though 

 no lameness be present. 



Speedy Cut is to be considered as unsoundness, as the 

 probability is that it has been caused by striking the other 

 leg, just below the knee-joint, with the other foot, which 

 is generally the result of high-action horses ; and the pos- 

 sibility of its extending so near to the knee-joint as to in- 

 terfere with its action, as the horse is so much more likely 

 to continue striking the part after it is enlarged than pre- 

 viously, and if he did before the enlargement was present, 

 he must strike it now more severely, and keep up an inces- 

 sant irritation, which must eventually lame the animal; 

 the use of the knee-boot does not in any way lessen the dis- 

 ease — it may only be the means of keeping off his lameness 

 to a later date ; and the only case where he can be passed 

 as a sound horse is when (as in splint or spavin) he has 

 had it on him for some time, without occasioning lameness, 

 and is of an advanced age ; otherwise he is unsound. 



STEnsTGHALT is to be considered as unsoundness, as it is 

 incurable, and being a disease traced to some morbid 

 alteration of structure or function. Mr. C. Spooner con- 



