6 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
of hernia, for sometimes we meet with umbilical as well as 
scrotal hernia. We proceed then to the hock-joint, down to 
the foot, looking first for capped hock and curb, then in 
search for bursal and other eidargements about the inside and 
front of this joint. You will, of course, carry vour researches 
on in the same manner on the right side of the horse ; and 
having made your observations, you can now take a general 
survey of the animal, to ascertain his colour, particular marks, 
height, and mark well if the feet are all right, if he stands 
in good position, &c. All these things may be done almost 
at a glance. This finished, the horse may be put against a 
wall and struck at, if the examiner feels disposed. 1 do not 
pin much faith upon this sort of thing, since many a good 
horse has grunted and has been termed a “bulF^ when he was 
not, and many a good judge has met with stick m this way, 
therefore it cannot be relied upon. The horse is now slowly 
trotted upon stones and otherwise, to see if his action is even, 
that is to say, if he is free from lameness, which, by the way, 
the examiner will have formed a good idea of during his 
researches. If this is satisfactory, a saddle is placed upon his 
back. If he happens to be untrained, then it is necessary to 
put a cavesson upon him, with a long rope attached, and 
either get a fast runner or two to run him a distance or ring 
him, which is the better plan, if there is room enough and 
the ground suitable. The horse is made to gallop suf¬ 
ficiently to test his wind ; and should the examiner be at all 
doubtful as to his respiratory organs, it will be necessary to 
take more time in order to ascertain the true state of his tho¬ 
racic viscera. Some horses are very excitable; the pulse does 
not become tranquil for some time after the gallop, nor does 
the respiration soon become quiet. I have been occupied 
for an hour or more previous to the giving an opinion in some 
such cases as these, and it is better and wiser to take time than 
to give a hasty opinion. Presuming all these trials are 
satisfactory, the horse is taken into the forge to have his feet 
examined. Some veterinary surgeons are of opinion the 
shoes of ahorse under examination should not be removed. 
It is said the surgeon ought to tell whether there is disease 
existing or not by looking at a foot. I must confess my 
inability to do so, for the result of my experience tends to 
show that in many a foot I have found a corn wlien 
the external part of that foot has appeaj'ed perfectly sound and 
free from disease ; besides, how is it possible to ascertain if 
seedy toe be present if the shoe remains on, and this more par¬ 
ticularly in farmers^ horses? I will admit that in many cases 
we can form a pretty correct idea as to the state of parts by 
