20 EXAMINATION OF HORSES AS TO SOUNDNESS 



for speedy-cut, which is usually caused by the 

 shoe of the opposite foot coming in contact with 

 the leg either above or below the knee, usually 

 just below. A bad speedy-cut is an unsoundness, 

 as it is liable to cause an accident of a serious 

 character, the pain inflicted sometimes causing 

 the animal to fall. An abrasion or cut found 

 on the leg in this position is an extremely 

 difficult thing to get rid of, as the horse, directly 

 he is set going, does the same thing again. The 

 horn of the foot of the o]3posite leg must be kept 

 well cut down, and the shoe placed as much 

 underneath the crust as possible. 



From the fetlock the examination is continued 

 down the pastern, viz., that portion of the limb 

 running from the fetlock to the coronet, and here 

 the condition of both the extensor and flexor 

 tendons should be noted. Having done this, 

 the hand should be carefully passed round the 

 front of the coronet in search of a bony enlarge- 

 ment, which if present is termed a 



Ring-hone; and if one should be found, the 

 animal should not be purchased, ring-bone being 

 the cause of a very obstinate form of lameness 



