THE FORELEG AND SHOULDER. 81 



Immediately below the knee joint, on the 

 inside, the skin will, in some cases, he found 

 abraded, and the bone enlarged. This is produced 

 by the opposite foot striking it, when the high- 

 actioned horse is trotting fast. It is denominated 

 Speedy cut, and is only objectionable, as indicat- 

 ing bad action, but is no unsoundness. 



Between the knee and the fetlock joint, on 

 the inside, and some way between the knee and 

 the middle of the shank, a little bony tumour is 

 found, called Splent. Few horses, after a year's 

 work, are free from it. At its commencement it 

 is attended with considerable lameness ; yet, 

 after a time, the lameness goes off, and we can 

 perceive no difference between the action or 

 ability of a horse with, and one without splent ; 

 unless, indeed, it become, through neglect or 

 improper treatment, so large as to interfere with 

 the motion of the back tendons. When it does 

 so, the horse is unsound : but not otherwise. 



Strain of the hack tendons is a very common 

 occurrence in the horse, and more especially so 

 in heavy draught horses, and those with long 

 and slanting pasterns. When it has been severe 

 it is a long time before the attending enlarge- 

 ment is entirely removed ; and while any remains, 

 the leg is weak and easily re-injured 



