T H E -:- H Q R S E 



standing in front of the horse and looking 

 between its front legs. This is an unsound- 

 ness that can rarely be cured. The hoofs of 

 the hind legs are less subject to ring-bones 

 and side-bones than those of the forelegs. 



Sore backs constitute an undesirable factor 

 in a horse to be used for saddle purposes, 

 especially if the horse is sore above the withers 

 or over the kidneys. An old kidney sore can 

 rarely be cured, and always makes the horse 

 weak in that part of his back. Girth sores are 

 not of a very serious character. 



Most horses that are fat when taken out of 

 pasture and ridden will acquire girth sores by 

 the slipping forward of the saddle, but the 

 horse when conditioned properly and hardened 

 will readily overcome this soreness, if care is 

 taken in cinching and keeping the saddle in 

 its proper place directly behind the withers 

 on the horse's back. 



Shoulder lameness and navicular disease are 

 the bugbears of most horsemen. They are 

 difficult to diagnose. If a horse is lame and 

 no physical malformation manifests itself, the 

 suspected leg can be raised and moved back 

 and forth, and if the horse flinches it is prob- 

 ably shoulder lameness. Shoulder lameness 

 usually lasts a long time, but generally dis- 

 appears with rest. If a horse is lame on both 

 forelegs at the same time he is said to be 

 "sore in front." Navicular disease, on the 



89 



