EXAMINATION FOR PURCHASE. 2G7 



than one without; the same causes that produced the (ii-st, 

 may produce a second. 



The sphnt, if so large as to interfere with action, render- 

 ino- the horse Uable to strike, is objectionable, or so near 

 the knee or ligaments as to interfere with their freedom of 

 action ; otherwise they are of very little consequence be- 

 yond the blemish destroying the line of beauty. The worst 

 splints are those not discernible but by the lameness they 

 produce. 



Any marks of firing or blistering should make the pur- 

 chaser cautious, and endeavour to ascertain the cause ot 

 the treatment ; after blistering, the hair is sometimes a 

 shade different in the colour, and stares a little, is shorter 

 and bristly, and wants the natural gloss. 



The fetlock joint, from being the principal seat of motion 

 below the knee, and from its complicated structure, is par- 

 ticularly subject to injuries. The fetlocks should be sub- 

 jected to the strictest examination, for enlargements, which 

 are best ascertained by carefully comparing them with 

 each other, as any difference in size is indicative of strain- 

 ed or even ruptured ligaments, and consequently perma- 

 nent weakness of that imp(3rtant part. 



If the injury is recent, there probably will be heat, and 

 pain on pressure ; and any signs of blistering or other 

 treatment, though no enlargement or lameness is appa- 

 rent, should induce the buyer to view the animal with the 

 utmost suspicion. 



If there are any sore or callous places about the fetlocks 

 or pasterns, he is a cutter, and possibly the marks of the 

 foot may be visible. If there is no mal-formation to ac- 

 count for it, it may have been done when fatigued, or it 

 may have arisen from improper shoeing; his feet should 

 then be examined. 



If an old offence, he may probably have a peculiar shoe, 

 rather thicker and naiTower in the web on the inside than 

 the outside, and nailed only on the outside of the foot, and 

 round the toe; or the opposite shoe is found filed away or 

 bevilled off, with the hoof projecting a little over the shoe. 

 Where the feet, though well formed, are placed closer than 

 desirable in narrow-chested horses, and therefore apt to 

 cut, particularly when tired, we sometimes find a shoe ia 

 adopted thinner on the inside than the outside. 



