EXTERIOR FAULTS AND DEFECTS 51 



these horses, if kept on the farm, might never develop 

 unsoundness. City-used horses may be rejuvenated by a 

 rest and the less exacting service in the field or on the 

 farm. 



Blemishes. — A perfect specimen of a horse should not only 

 conform in his lines to the standard of perfection, as outlined 

 for the type or breed, but there should be absolute freedom 

 from blemishes and unsoundness. While an animal may be 

 a perfect breeder or worker, although blemishes occur, such 

 marks are unsightly and decrease the market value. An 

 unsoundness, on the other hand, may not only seriously 

 interfere with the usefulness of the animal but in many 

 cases such troubles are transmitted. A predisposition to 

 such diseases as bone spavin, side bones, ring bones, or curbs, 

 often causes serious trouble. A blemish will neither be trans- 

 mitted nor will it often interfere with the usefulness of the 

 animal, unless it occurs in a serious form on some part of 

 the leg or foot. When it so interferes with usefulness it 

 becomes an unsoundness. Wire cuts, bruises, scars from 

 cuts or abrasions constitute a few of the marks which are 

 termed blemishes. Any scar or mark which is acquired 

 through accident may properly be termed a blemish, while 

 an unsoundness is acquired through transmission or a pre- 

 disposition to the trouble because of faulty conformation, 

 or from a severe accident, or unusual strain. Some of the 

 more common and serious kinds of unsoundness will be 

 described in the chapters on horses and mules. 



Operations. — Operations on animals for improving show 

 condition have been practised with considerable regularity 

 and at times with much success, as far as the immediate 

 results were concerned in the show ring. From the stand- 

 point of the individual as a utility animal or as a breeder, 

 such practices are not justified. Show ring judging from 

 this standpoint has not been all that it should be. While 

 the individuals may be otherwise meritorious, if there is 

 any indication of an operation having been performed, 

 such animals should be discriminated against severely. If 

 an animal cannot appear in the ring in a natural condition 

 it is not justifiable to allow such animals to win over those 



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