44 SOUNDNESS IN HOESES. 



is not of the proper kind to stand much ''knocking 

 about." A splint on the outside of the leg is more apt 

 to cause lameness, than one on the inside. A splint, 

 other things being equal, has a greater tendency to 

 injuriously affect the usefulness of an animal that has to 

 do its work at a trot on roads, than that of those which 

 are confined to a walk, or to work in the field. The 

 forms of splint which are generally regarded as un- 

 doubted unsoundness are : (1.) Two splints ; one on the 

 outer, the other on the inner side of the leg, and on 

 the same level ; their relative position being almost a 

 certain indication that they are connected together by a 

 bony deposit which can hardly fail to interfere with 

 the action of the suspensory ligament. (2.) A splint 

 close to the knee, or suspensory ligament. (3.) Two 

 splints, one above the other, and on the same side of the 

 leg. This form shows considerable weakness of the bone, 

 and almost always causes lameness, especially, when the 

 two splints are united by a bony ridge. 



From Margetson v. Wright* (11th May, 1832), it 

 appears that a horse with a splint can be passed sound, 

 if the bony deposit, from its size and position, would 

 not be liable to cause lameness; leaving out of con- 

 sideration what its results might be, were it to increase 

 in size, or invade other structures. Lord Chief Justice 

 Tindal's judgment on this case was as follows : — " This 



* Moore and Scott's Cases in Common Pleas, etc., vol. 1, p. 622. 



