SINEWS. 109 



my estimation, than equally faulty hocks : that is, 

 fore feet faulty in the way last-mentioned. 



SINEWS. 



Where there is indication of any of the sinews 

 or ligaments of the leg suffering under the influ- 

 ence of strain, I would certainly leave such a 

 horse to those who mio;ht have time and inclina- 

 tion to take such a patient under their hands. 

 Under certain circumstances I might be tempted 

 to buy a horse labouring under recent strain of 

 such parts ; that is, buy him at a certain price to 

 cure, or try to cure, if the case was hopeful : but 

 for work, I would reject him at any price, even 

 were the ailment but trifling in appearance, and 

 would strongly recommend my reader to do the 

 same ; for though I have said faulty fore feet will 

 often stand in the place of better ones, in a hunter 

 faulty sinews will be but a sorry apology for 

 sound ones. These are, to use a play on the word, 

 really " the sinews" of a hunter. With faulty ones 

 the mere putting the foot on an uneven bit of hard 

 ground, or one ridge and furrow field, will often 

 render a horse useless for any purpose. I would, 

 of the two, rather see a favourite horse break his 

 leg, than get a thorough and determined break- 



down of the sinew. An ordinary broken shank- 

 bone may, by time and care, be mended as strong 



