PREFACE 



My intention in writing this book, has been : (1) To 

 define^ from a strictly legal point of view, what is meant 

 by the term, " Soundness." (2) To furnish a guide, as 

 to procedure and detail, to the examination of horses for 

 soundness. (3) To supply, as far as possible, references 

 to decisions in court, on the subject, with appropriate 

 quotations. (4) To separate those diseases, alterations 

 of structure, and other defects that might be considered, 

 in themselves, absolute unsoundness, from those which, 

 from their position, or degree, may, or may not be un- 

 soundness. In this, I have accepted judicial rulings in 

 all instances to which I have found them apply : failing 

 such authoritative dicta, I have taken the weight of 

 veterinary opinion on the particular points. (5) I have 

 classified under one heading, those diseases to which the 

 law of heredity specially applies. (6) As an examination 

 for soundness by a veterinary surgeon, always, includes 

 the " ageing " of the animal, I have added a somewhat 

 comprehensive chapter on the dentition of the horse. 



