212 JUDGING JACKS, JENNETS, AND MULES 



occasionally impair usefulness; however, such conditions 

 are rare. Blemishes usually decrease market value only, 

 while an unsoundness decreases both market value and use- 

 fulness. A theoretically sound horse is one which has no 

 disease or other condition that interferes with his usefulness 

 or market value. He may have a disease from which he 

 will recover, yet at the time of the examination such an 

 animal will be unsound. 



Unsoundness may be temporary or permanent. Tem- 

 porary unsoundness may be illustrated by an influenza from 

 which a horse will probably recover, or by Ught sprains or a 

 bruised ankle from interfering. In the latter case the 

 question would arise at once whether the interfering was due 

 to faulty conformation or to faulty shoeing. In the former 

 case the condition would be serious, while in the latter it 

 would be unimportant as it could be remedied by shoeing 

 the animal properly. 



Normal Conditions. — It is necessary to become familiar 

 with the usual normal and abnormal conditions for com- 

 parative purposes. The hocks may be perfectlj' sound 

 and yet have a peculiar bony development. In such cases 

 it will generally be found that both hocks are alike. The 

 knees may have a similar peculiar development and yet be 

 perfectly sound. It is necessary to become familiar with all 

 such conditions before an animal can be examined rapidly 

 and accurately. 



General Examination. — An examination for soundness 

 should be systematic and thorough, although it may be 

 rapidly accomplished. The examination should be made with 

 the horse in the stall, as he backs out, stands at rest, and in 

 motion. In the stall he should be examined for cribbing, 

 weaving or any other stable habit which is objectionable. 

 As the horse backs out of the stall, he may show a peculiar 

 use of the hindlegs or imperfect control, due to serious 

 disorders of the nervous system. Frequently the first 

 intimation of spavin may be detected as the animal is made 

 to stand from side to side, particularly as he steps toward the 

 spavined leg. 



After the animal is taken out of the stall his movements 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



