SOUNDNESS IN HOKSES. 



CHAPTER L 



SOUNDNESS. 



Differences of opinion as to soundness — Definition of unsoundness — 

 Practical soundness — Modifying circumstances — Duties of vete- 

 rinary surgeons when examining horses— Certificates — Price — 

 Special warranty — Vices — Blemishes. 



Differences of opinion as to soundness. — The want of 

 unanimity of opinion, even among members of the 

 veterinary profession, as to what constitutes and what 

 vitiates soundness, has always been a fertile cause of 

 dispute in horse cases. Some practitioners refuse to 

 give a certificate to that effect, unless the animal is 

 absolutely free from any physical ailment ; and, conse- 

 quently, they rarely, if ever, find one that comes up to 

 their ideal standard of perfection; while others " pass " 

 horses which are useful of their kind, but which possess 

 ^ome defect or other that has been decided, over and over 

 again, in court, to be a breach of warranty of soundness. 



B 



