CHAPTER XVI. 



UNSOUNDNESS, DISEASES AND DEFECTS IN THE 



HORSE. 



THE subject of unsoundness in the horse is regarded an 

 of great importance. Many unsound horses are purchased 

 by people who think them sound. Then when these pur- 

 chasers attempt to sell they find great depreciation in value. 

 Therefore, if one is to be a capable judge of a horse, he 

 should have a fair ability to identify well-defined cases of 

 some of the more common unsoundnesses. This identifi- 

 cation is not always easy. Some forms of unsoundness are 

 not clearly apparent until well established. If the respira- 

 tion is not good, some form of work, such as trotting or 

 hauling a load will bring out this fact. In the sale markets 

 horses are hitched to wagons with brakes, against which 

 they are caused to make a considerable exertion while mov- 

 ing along. Judges in the public show ring are not re- 

 quired to pass on the matter of unsoundness. That is the 

 duty of an official veterinarian. The English Hackney 

 Horse Society has for many years provided official veterin- 

 ary examination of all horses of that breed entered at their 

 annual London show. All horses showing well-defined un- 

 soundness are barred from exhibition. This method of 

 procedure, which might well be imitated at many of our 

 American shows, has resulted in weeding out from compe- 

 tition many horses that were unsound, that should not come 

 up for competition with sound individuals. In well de- 

 fined cases of unsoundness the judge can hardly avoid dis- 

 criminating against the animal affected. It is of vital im- 

 portance, however, that there be no doubt about the un- 

 soundness in question. 



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