KELATIVE UNSOUNDNESS. 43 



Speedy cutting. — See " Cutting," page 37. 



Splint. — A splint is a bony formation on the side or 

 back of the cannon bone of either the fore, or hind limb. 

 If it be on the back of the bone, it will, almost certainly, 

 also appear on both sides. Some authorities consider 

 that splint is due to ossification of the ligament 

 which connects the splint bone, on either side, to the 

 cannon bone ; and that this term should, therefore, be 

 limited to bony formations which involve both the splint 

 and cannon bone ; while others employ it independently 

 of any connection it may have with the ligament in 

 question. This difference of opinion is of no practical 

 importance, as far as our subject is concerned. No 

 distinguishing name is given to bony formations on 

 the cannon bone which do not come under the term of 

 splint or sore shins ; although, like the two last men- 

 tioned, they would be classed under the general heading 

 of " Exostoses." 



Almost all veterinary surgeons will agree that a splint 

 which is well away from the knee, does not interfere with 

 the working of the tendons or suspensory ligament, nor 

 with the action of the other leg, is not an unsoundness ; 

 provided, that it does not cause lameness, and that the 

 horse is at least six years old. The qualification of age 

 might, in some cases, be dispensed with. If the animal is 

 young, and, especially, if he has not done much work, the 

 fact of his having a splint, would indicate that the leg 



