UNSOUNDNESS 251 



In examining the feet, the shoe should usually be removed 

 and every portion of the sole and frog examined for nail punc- 

 ture. A blacksmith 's sage knife is best for the purpose. 



While passing along the side and flank the breathing should 

 be observed to determine whether it is even and regular, or 

 jerky, suggesting heaves. The flank and lower part of the 

 abdomen must be examined for possible ruptures. 



Stepping behind the horse compare the two hips for evidences 

 of fracture. A horse so affected is commonly described as being 

 hipped or hip-shot. This unsoundness is due to fracture of a 

 small piece off the external angle of the ilium. It does not in- 

 terfere seriously with working ability, but produces a very awk- 

 ward appearance and materially lessens value. 



The hocks must be examined for bog and bone spavins, thor- 

 oughpins, curbs, and capped hock. The same examination is 

 made of the cannon, ankle, and pastern as for the front limbs. 



In motion. — The horse should be examined while walking and 

 trotting. The movements of the neck and head are studied as 

 he comes toward and passes by the observer, the movements of 

 the limbs being noted as to the height to which they are raised, 

 and the bend of the joints (whether easy and natural or other- 

 wise). The way in which the limb is carried and the foot 

 "lands" upon the ground — whether flat, on the toe, on one side, 

 or on the heel — is to be noted and considered. As the horse 

 passes from the observer, the movements of the hips and hind 

 legs are noted with a view to detecting lameness in those parts. 

 To bring out diseases of the feet examination in motion on hard 

 road or pavement should be made. Then if there is uncertain 

 lameness, motion in deep mud or in snow should be studied. If 

 such conditions are not available, the horse should be made to 

 step over a wagon tongue or a plank, held up about a foot from 

 the ground, in order to detect or make more prominent possible 

 soreness or lameness in the shoulder or hip. 



Finally, the horse should be given vigorous exercise on a full 

 stomach; for instance, a run to a heavy wagon, or a short run 

 uphill, to determine whether the respiration is normal, or in 

 other words to test his "wind." While a horse is at rest or at 

 light exercise, it is possible to partially disguise abnormal breath- 

 ing; but severe exercise on a full stomach will usually bring 

 it out. 



The most common and obvious forms of unsoundness are: 



