54 JUDGING HORSES 



these bones are surmounted with noticeable knobs. If these 

 lumps are found on both of the legs in exactly the same place, 

 it may be taken for granted that they are natural. When 

 the splint is located at the back part of the leg near the ten- 

 don or close to the knee joint, so as to interfere with the 

 action, it is in the worst place that it is possible to have it. 

 A small splint in a position of the leg where it is not likely 

 to cause lameness is not considered by most judges to be 

 more than a blemish. The fact that splints on young horses 

 very frequently disappear in a year or two is sufficient rea- 

 son for overlooking this defect when it is present in young 

 animals. 



97. Ringbones. These are generally located on the pas- 

 tern. There are two forms of it called high and low ring- 

 bone, depending on the location. Ordinarily it is situated 

 at the hoof head where the foot joins the pastern and it may 

 be on any one of the four feet. Usually it can be seen 

 because of the prominence produced but the hand should be 

 passed over the part that a small form of it may not escape 

 detection. 



98. Sidebones. By pressing the thumb and the fore 

 finger around the hind quarter of the front foot this disease 

 may be easily detected. It is common to the front feet only. 

 Small, hard prominences may be found on the side of the 

 pastern just above the foot in horses that have them. They 

 were originally cartilage but became ossified and solid caus- 

 ing pain and considerable lameness especially when the horse 

 having them is driven on hard roads. 



99. Quarter Cracks and Sand Cracks. The feet are sub- 

 ject to many forms of unsoundnesses and among the most 

 prevalent are sand cracks and quarter cracks. In very sandy 

 districts during the hot days of summer when horses are 

 driven considerable the hoof becomes so heated that it cracks 

 and in time results in a very troublesome disorder. Usually 

 this defect originates from weak feet. Quarter cracks are 



