AS TO "SOUNDNESS^* 



not unusual in other varieties which are, when 

 immature, put to severe work. They cause per- 

 manent blemishes of various sizes, but are rarely, 

 after growth is attained and inflammation allayed, 

 the cause of permanent lameness. 



Ring-bones and side-bones are serious blemishes 

 at times, but do not necessarily interfere with 

 work. Side-bone — a thickening and hardening 

 of the cartilages contiguous to the coronet — 

 causes severe lameness, generally permanent, espe- 

 cially where fast work is done, and can be relieved 

 only by the generally misunderstood and improp- 

 erly condemned process of "nerving." But the 

 ring-boned animal may work on for years. 



An animal burdened with any or all of the above- 

 mentioned ailments may outwork and outlast the 

 stable-mate with a clear bill of health, and, through 

 necessity, the buying public will soon acquire a 

 toleration in the matter of absolute soundness 

 which at present it does not evince. As Pooh 

 Bah says in the " Mikado," " Bless you, it all 

 depends," and in the next few years we shall see 

 many a blemished and technically unsound horse 

 filling his place in the owner's affections, and his 

 position as a useful slave as honorably as capably. 



When, then, is a horse " usefully sound " ? He 



31 



