FIRING 113 



been more or less objectionable, at all times, because of the 

 indelible blemish it always produces, especially in the horse 

 that will sooner or later be offered for sale. On the American 

 farms it is seldom ever tolerated, because the horse blemished 

 with lines or points is seriously objected to by purchasers 

 even though no traces of the original lesion remain. A spav- 

 ined horse, still lame and already fired, is regarded as useless, 



■' ' ■ ■ S^l 





* • 



• 



• • 



* • 



» • * • • 



.*► * • • • i 



• • • • ', 



• • • • •] 



• • • • 1 



Fig. 67 — Design for Puncture Firing. 



whilst one showing no traces of having been submitted to 

 this blemishing treatment, whether lame or not, is generally 

 more salable. The cicatrices of firing are always regarded 

 as an unsoundness in examinations by veterinarians, even 

 though the lesion was trivial and now entirely cured. A' 

 splint, unfired, is readily over-looked, while a fired one is 

 always considered sufficient reason for condemnation. 



In spite of this adverse result, firing continues to hold a 



