BUYING A HORSE 49 



the fetlocks are frequently found little puffy tumours, 

 absurdly denominated windgalls, from a supposition of 

 farriers that they contain wind. 



The Tendons. — Wherever parts move and press on each 

 other, and between tendons, particularly about the ex- 

 tremities, there are placed vesicles, termed bursce mucoscey 

 containing synovia, a lubricating fluid to prevent joint 

 friction. When a horse has been compelled to undergo 

 excessive exertion, an increased supply of synovia 

 is secreted, which distends the sac ; this sets up 

 chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane — morbid 

 secretion and visible enlargement follow. There are 

 few horses that have done much work without these 

 thickenings. 



Though rest and pressure will diminish them, when once 

 enlarged, labour will reproduce them ; they are of little 

 consequence beyond the blemish, unless very large, and in 

 most cases may be regarded as mere indications of hard 

 work. 



Ring-hone. — The pastern is the seat of a bony tumour 

 termed ring-bone ; it is the result of inflammation and 

 partial conversion into bone of that portion of the cartilages 

 of the foot which rises above and nearly encircles the 

 coronet. These cartilages, extending backward considerably 

 beyond the coffin bone, form the elastic frame of the 

 posterior parts of the foot ; they here take the name of the 

 " lateral cartilages." When ossific inflammation is set up in 

 this part, from its tendency to spread round the pastern 

 joint it has taken its name of ring-bone. When, however, 

 the ossiflcation appears only at the quarters, it is termed 

 " ossification of the lateral cartilages." It is discovered by 

 their prominence and rigidity when pressed between the 

 finger and thumb. Upon the soundness of these parts 

 depend the elasticity and consequent usefulness of the foot. 

 However trifling the apparent alteration of structure, it is 

 a serious detraction from the efficiency of a hack ; though 

 on soft ground, at a slow pace, the draught horse will work 

 apparently sound. If in feeling first one leg and then the 

 other we discover any difference between them, disease 

 more or less is present; he may not be lame, but he is 

 not clean upon his legs. Splints, windgalls, and ring-bones 

 may be present without occasioning lameness ; but they are 

 all unnatural, are considered blemishes, and are to be 



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