98 CAUSES OF UNSOUNDNESS. 



and he would^ indeed, be a foolish litigant who 

 endeavoured to do so. Bony enlargements of the 

 fetlock joint may be situated at the front, back, 

 sides, or extend all round the joint, and neces- 

 sarily render the animal unsound. 



The Pasterns. 



The pastern is situated between the fetlock joint 

 and the top of the hoof, and it is very often diseased, 

 more especially in the heavier breeds of horses. 

 The commonest disease affecting this part is that 

 known as ring-bone, owing to the ring-hke forma- 

 tion it so often assumes. The terms " high " 

 and " low," " true " and " false " are often em- 

 ployed by veterinarians for distinguishing the posi- 

 tion, and nature of the enlargement. All forms of 

 ring-bone necessarily render the horse unsound, 

 although the animal may be perfectly free from 

 lameness. If there is any suspicion of enlarge- 

 ment about the pastern the intending buyer had 

 better have nothing to do with the animal. The 

 fore or the hind pastern may be affected, but 

 commonly the fore, and either one or both. When 

 they are both the seat of enlargement there is more 

 trouble in detecting its presence, more especially 

 if it is a coarse-bred animal, wdth thick skin, and 



