SECRETARY'S REPORT. 235 



If, with his skill as a teacher, he could combine a scientific 

 knowledge of the veterinary art, he would be really one of the 

 most valuable members of the community, and could not fail 

 of a competent support. 



SOUNDNESS. 



In reply to the inquiry, " What is a sound horse ? " it may 

 be said that it is a thing much easier to define than to procure. 

 la the interesting English work, entitled, " The Horse in 

 Health and Disease, by Dr. Janaes II. Winter," is the following 

 rliythmical statement, which is not far from the truth upon this 

 subject : 



" When may a horse be called sound ? 

 When no disease upon 't be found, 

 When neither blind nor broken-winded, 

 Nor lameness — just begun or mended, 

 Nor any cause at time of sale, 

 That 'gainst his duties may prevail." 



Unsoundness has reference only to disease, or to that altera- 

 tion of structure, from whatever cause, which impairs or is 

 likely to impair the natural usefulness of the horse, and has no 

 necessary connection with his speed, endurance, sure-footed- 

 ness, or style. In buying or exchanging horses the following 

 form of receipt should be taken as a warranty. " Received of 

 A. B. two hundred dollars for a bay gelding, warranted only 

 five years old, sound, free from vice, and safe to ride or drive." 



AGE. 



The age of horses is accurately indicated by the appearance 

 of the incisor and canine teetli, until they are more than eight 

 years old, after which time it can only be determined approxi- 

 mately by various signs, such as the angle of the incisor teeth 

 with the jaws, the form, length and marks of the appearance of 

 the lips, and of the bars iii the mouth, hollows above the eyes, 

 the presence of gray hairs upon the head, the general promi- 

 nence of the bones, and want of smoothness and plumpness, 

 and so forth. The ciiaracter of the teeth, as well as the other 

 evidences of age to be relied upon, may be best learned by the 

 examination of horses whose ages are known, under the direc- 

 tion of a person who understands the subject. 



