82 THE FORELEG AND SHOULDEIl. 



I would here remark, that in every actual or 

 suspected case of enlargement, of any part of the 

 limbs, the examiner may make up his mind with 

 precision as to its existence or non-existence, by 

 comparing the suspected part with the same part 

 in the opposite leg : for it rarely happens that 

 both have the same disease, but when they have, 

 the degree of enlargement differs, which is enough 

 to show, that there is deviation from health. So, 

 the enlargement left by an old strain, may be so 

 slight, as not to be recognised by the eye, yet 

 detected at once, })y carefully and slowly draw- 

 ing the thumb and first two fingers down the 

 whole length of the back tendons of each leg. 

 Some staring of the hair may hint that the leg 

 has been blistered, and may strengthen the 

 opinion you have formed, after comparing the 

 fineness of the two legs by your hand. 



The remnants of a strain in the back tendons 

 make a horse unsound, inasmuch as, though he 

 may, at the time of sale, appear perfectly free 

 from lameness, yet these tendons have so much 

 work to do, tliat they cannot afiFord to lose any 

 of their original strength. 



The Fetlock Joints are frequently the seat of 

 bony and tendinous enlargement : they should, 

 therefore, be well examined by both the eye and 



