CHAPTER XIII 

 COMMON UNSOUNDNESSES AND VICESi 



Thbee are a great many unsoundnesses, abnormalities, mal- 

 formations, deformities, blemishes, and vices that should be looked 

 for when conducting a soundness examination. In this chapter 

 some of the more common ones will be described, others are cov- 

 ered in connection with diseases of special groups of organs. 



A horse is either sound, serviceably sound, or worthless. 

 Perfectly sound horses are rare, for few are free from some trivial 

 defect or other. Serviceably sound horses are those that have no 

 disease, deformity, or vice which will interfere with their utility. 

 Great differences of opinion exist as to what is meant by serviceable 

 soundness on account of the different standards of the examiner. 

 Worthless horses are those that are permanently incapacitated for 

 service from any cause whatsoever. 



Acquired unsoundnesses do not disqualify a horse for breeding 

 purposes. In this class are included all troubles not caused by 

 prenatal influences, such as distorsions, deformities, or blemishes 

 due to accident. When serious they depreciate the sale value. 



Hereditary unsoundnesses are transmitted from parent to off- 

 spring, and should always be considered sufficient evidence to 

 disqualify the horse as a sire or dam. 



POLL-EVIL 



Poll-evil is a hot, painful swelling which forms on the top of 

 the neck immediately behind the ears. The enlargement contains 

 pus, or a straw-colored fluid, and usually involves the large mucous 



^The student will find it helpful to outline an exercise in soundness ex- 

 amination suitable for use when buying horses as a practical means of apply- 

 ing what he has learned in the classroom. The diseases, unsoundnesses, and 

 vices mentioned in this and other chapters should be grouped in score-card 

 form according to their location. The discount to be allowed for the various 

 disqualifications will require very careful consideration and will depend upon 

 how much they effect the serviceability of the horse. 



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