FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



true-shaped hind leg, and shows no lameness 

 after cooling out. The sickle-hocked, round- 

 boned sort should be left alone, even if smooth ; 

 for any strain or wrench may " spring " the 

 blemish. Many horses have a natural prominence 

 at the curb-place caused by the extension of the 

 cuboid bones ; but if there is no enlargement of 

 the sheath of the tendon there, the horse is sound. 

 Any fresh curb causes inflammation, pain and 

 ensuing lameness, temporary in nature only. As 

 a precautionary measure, all horses with curb, or 

 curby hocks, should be shod with shoes raised at 

 the heels. 



Sound wind is usual in the East, almost uni- 

 versal in the altitudes of the far West. Practi- 

 cally we are troubled only with "roarers" and 

 " whistlers." The " grunter " (which may develop 

 something more) is carefully rejected by English- 

 men, because of their heavier home climate, but 

 we are never troubled by him, as the infirmity is 

 only rarely noticeable. Nearly all such horses 

 may be greatly helped by keeping the neck and 

 jowl well sweated out ; and occasionally artificial 

 means will almost entirely prevent the noise. 



Osselets — small bony deposits on the front 

 ankles — are very common in the race-horse, and 



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