i8 EXAMINATION OF HORSES AS TO SOUNDNESS 



should be avoided that is so affected, as the bony 

 matter often involves the small bones of the 

 knee, cementing them together and causing 

 lameness which is as a rule incurable ; but, as 

 has been already stated, if the splint is not large, 

 and is situated well forward on the bone, and the 

 animal trots soundly, not much importance need 

 be attached to it, especially if the horse is of any 

 age. After satisfying one's self as to the presence 

 of splints, pass the hand carefully down the back 

 or flexor tendons, noting at the same time whether 

 these are enlarged ; should they be so, apply 

 pressure, and if this is painful to the horse, have 

 nothing to do with it. Very often, especially 

 in aged animals, the flexors are a little enlarged 

 from the sheath of the tendons becoming some- 

 what thickened, and if this is only shght, and no 

 pain is evinced on pressure, and the animal trots 

 out soundly, not much importance need be at- 

 tached to it, as the horse will probably work all 

 right. A veterinary surgeon, of course, would 

 not pass a horse so aff*ected as being sound, but 

 would probably tell the intending purchaser that 

 the animal would work well without being 



