EXAMINATION 23 



adopted some years ago by the late Professor 

 Sewell, of the Royal Veterinary College — viz., 

 to unnerve the horse. The parts then being 

 deprived of feeling or sensation, the pain of 

 course no longer exists, and the animal conse- 

 quently goes sound. After determining whether 

 side-bones are present or not, and looking to see 

 if the heel is cracked, we pass on to the foot. 



The Foot. — Here great care must be used, for 

 if the horse has not a sound foot he is absolutely 

 worthless for work. The hand should be slowly 

 and carefully passed round the horn, especially 

 noting whether there is any heat present ; for 

 if the foot is hot something must be wrong 

 within it, probably inflammation of the sensitive 

 laminae (laminitis). 



Laminitis. — Should there be a number of 

 rings round the horn, you may be sure laminitis 

 is present, and of a chronic nature, when the 

 horse should of course not be purchased. 



There are often present on the horn of the 

 feet of young horses a number of rings called 

 grass rings ; these arise from the horse being 

 out in wet paddocks, and if one is not very 



