CONFORMATION AND ACTION 29 



splints in their formative period, and in particular if 

 they are up near the knee, where they may impinge 

 upon the joint, or so far back on the leg that they may 

 interfere with the ligaments and tendons; on the other 

 hand, an older horse of eight or nine, possessing an 

 already-formed splint, which is low on the leg, might 

 be bought with comparative safety. 



In many cases, of course, the word of a veterinary 

 will have to be taken as to the exact degree which any 

 defect in wind, eyes, or limbs will affect the service- 

 ability of the animal. Although it is well for any 

 horseman or horsewoman to learn the more common 

 forms of unsoundness, no horse should ever be pur- 

 chased without being passed by a competent veterinary. 

 Even if buying from a friend, this rule should always 

 be closely observed, for by so doing all possibilities of 

 ill-feeling over the deal will be removed, and no doubts 

 need arise in the purchaser's mind as to the friend's 

 integrity should the horse go unsound at some later 

 date. 



