THE HOUSE. 
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productive of lameness at slow work, the rapid and powerful action of 
the hock in quicker motion will produce permanent, yet perhaps not 
considerable lameness, which can scarcely ever be with certainty re- 
moved. 
Splint. — It depends entirely on the situation of the bony tumor on 
the shank-bone, whether it is to be considered as unsoundness. If it is 
not in the neighborhood of any joint, so as to interfere with its action, 
and if it does not press upon any ligament or tendon, it may be no 
cause of unsoundness, although it is often very unsightly. In many 
cases, it may not lessen the capability and value of the animal. 
Strillgllillt, — This singular and very unpleasant action of the hind-leg 
is decidedly an unsoundness. It is an irregular communication of nerv- 
ous energy to some muscle of the thigh, observable when the horse first 
comes from the stable, and gradually ceasing on exercise. It has usually 
been accompanied by a more than common degree of strength and en- 
durance. It must, however, be traced to some morbid alteration of 
structure or function ; and it rarely or never fails to deteriorate and 
gradually wear out the animal. 
Thickening of the Back Sinews. — Sufficient attention is not always paid 
to the fineness of the legs of the horse. If the flexor tendons have 
been sprained, so as to produce considerable thickening of the cellular 
substance in which their sheaths are enveloped, they will long after- 
ward, or perhaps always, be liable to sprain, from causes by which they 
would otherwise be scarcely affected. The continuance of any consid- 
erable thickness around the sheaths of the tendons indicates previous 
violent sprain. This very thickening will fetter the action of the ten- 
dons, and, after much quick work, will occasionally renew the inflamma- 
tion and the lameness ; therefore such a horse cannot be sound. It re- 
quires, however, a little discrimination to distinguish this from the gum- 
miness or roundness of leg peculiar to some breeds. There should be an 
evident difference between the injured leg and the other. 
Tlioroughpill, except it is of great size, is rarely productive of lame- 
ness, and therefore cannot be termed unsoundness; but as it is the con- 
sequence of hard work, and now and then docs produce lameness, the 
hock should be most carefully examined, and there should be a special 
warranty against it. 
Thrush. — There are various cases on record of actions on account of 
thrush in horses, and the decisions have been much at variance, or 
perfectly contradictory. Thrush has not been always considered by legal 
men as unsoundness. We, however, decidedly so consider it; as being 
a disease interfering and likely to interfere with the usefulness of the 
horse. Thrush is inflammation of the lower surface of the inner or 
sensible frog — and the secretion or throwing out of pus — almost in- 
variably accompanied by a slight degree of tenderness of the frog itself, 
or of tlic heel a little above it, and, if neglected, leading to diminution 
of the substance of the frog, and separation of the horn from parts 
beneath and underrunning, and the production of fungus and canker, 
and ultimately a diseased state of the foot, destructive of the present 
and dangerous to the future usefulness of the horse. 
Windgulls. — There are few horses perfectly free from windgalla, but 
