90 CAUSES OF UNSOUNDNESS. 



exposure of the joint. The nature of the ground 

 upon which the animal falls has a controlling 

 influence over the extent of the injury. Some 

 horses are such slovenly goers that they are always 

 stumbUng and tumbUng, and unsafe for any 

 purpose. A variety of circumstances may cause 

 a horse to fall, but these may not be attributable 

 to either the horse, rider, or driver. In the case 

 of a horse hired for work the proprietor could not 

 recover for depreciation in value arising from the 

 animal falling, provided that the hirer could show 

 that the injury arose through causes over which 

 he had not, or could not, be reasonably expected 

 to have, control. Blemished and " banged " knees 

 in hunters are exceedingly common, and those 

 who have had any experience in the matter usually 

 attach very little importance to this condition, 

 provided that the animal is clever and sound in 

 other respects. 



Stiffness of the Knees. 



This is a most serious fault in any horse, but in 

 none more so than a hunter, or any animal required 

 for fast work. It is either a temporary or per- 

 manent condition. If the former, there will be 

 increased heat, pain and swelling which are 



