THE HORSE. 
71 
They render it necessary to wear a thick and heavy shoe, or a bar-shoe, 
in order to protect the weakened and diseased part; and they are very 
seldom radically cured. There may be, however, and frequently is, a 
difference of opinion as to the actual existence or character of the corn. 
They are sometimes, too, so slight that they do not diminish the value 
of the horse, and will disappear on the horse being shod with ordinary 
skill and care, even without any alteration in the shoe. 
Cough. — This is a disease, and consequently unsoundness. However 
slight may be its degree, and of whatever short standing it may be, 
although it may sometimes scarcely seem to interfere with the useful- 
ness of the horse, yet a change of stabling or slight exposure to wet 
and cold, or the least over-exertion, may, at other times, cause it to de- 
generate into many dangerous complaints. A horse, therefore, should 
never be purchased with a cough upon him, without a special warranty ; 
or if — the cough not being observed — he is purchased under a general 
warranty, that warranty is thereby broken. It is not law, that a home 
may be returned on breach of the warranty. The seller is not bound 
to take him back, unless he has contracted so to do; but he is liable 
to damages. Lord Elleuborough has completely decided this matter. 
“ I have always held,” said lie, “ that a warranty of soundness is broken, 
if the animal, at the time of sale, had any infirmity upon him that ren- 
dered him less fit for present service. It is not necessary that the dis- 
order should be permanent or incurable. While he has a cough, he is 
unsound, although that may either be temporary or prove mortal.” 
In deciding on another case, the same judge said, “ I have always held 
it that a cough is a breach of the warranty. On that understanding I 
have always acted, and think it quite clear.” It was argued on the 
other hand that two-thirds of the horses in London had coughs, yet 
still the judge maintained that the cough was a breach of warranty. 
When it was farther argued that the horse had been hunted the day 
after the purchase, and the cough might have been increased by this, 
the reply was singular, but, decisive. “ There is no proof that he would 
have got well if he had not been hunted.” 
Roaring, Wheezing, Whistling, High-blowing, ami Granting, being the re- 
sult of alteration of structure, or disease in some of the air-passages, and 
interfering with the perfect freedom of breathing, especially when the 
horse is put on his speed, without doubt constitute unsonndness. There 
are decisions to the contrary, which arc now universally admitted to be 
erroneous. Broken-wind is decidedly still more unsoundness. 
Crib-Biling. — Although some learned judges have asserted that crib- 
biting is simply a trick or bad habit, it must be regarded as unsound- 
ness. This unnatural sucking in of the air must, to a certain degree, 
injure digestion. It must dispose to colic, and so interfere with the 
strength, usefulness, and health of the horse. Some crib-biters are good 
goers, but they probably would have possessed more endurance had 
they not acquired this habit; and it is a fact well established that, as 
soon as a horse becomes a crib-biter, he, in nine cases out of ten, loses 
condition. In its very early stage it may be a mere trick — confirmed, 
it must have produced morbid deterioration. The wear of the front 
teeth, and the occasional breaking of them, make a horso old before 
