2G 



BULLETIN 4*7, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTXJRE. 



ESTIMATING MATTERS OF UNSOUNDNESS. 



Sound horses should be selected for practice judging until the 

 students have become well acquainted with the score card and have 

 developed fairly good ideals. A sound horse is one which has no 

 imperfection of so serious a nature as to interfere with its usefulness. 

 Anything, such as a wire cut, which mars the appearance of a horse 

 without detracting from its usefulness is known as a blemish. 



The matter of detecting unsoundness is very important in judging 

 horses, as many forms of unsoundness not only unfit a horse for hard 

 work but also unfit it for breeding purposes, as the unsoundness may 

 be transmitted to the offspring. It is a question, however, as to 

 just how far the high-school student may enter into this study. .V 



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Fig. 1C. — Location of common unsoundness. 



knowledge of many of the troubles which detract from the value of 

 horses is based upon principles of veterinary science not commonly 

 taught in the high school. Only the more common and important 

 defects and diseases are listed below under the part affected. (Fig. 

 1G.) The extent to which the class will consider matters of un- 

 soundness and disease should depend upon the training of the teacher 

 and the preparation of the students. An effort should also be made 

 to meet local conditions and needs. 



Eyes. — The student should gain assurance that the horse is not 

 blind. Blindness may frequently be discovered by placing the hand 

 gently in front of the eve. and moving it gently directly away from 



