280 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 
good fellows , and of becoming popular with breeders and 
dealers in horses. In order to accomplish this they are not 
over particular in their examinations as to soundness: w T e 
often hear remarks as to the manner Mr. So-and-so passes 
his horses. I do not wonder at the neophite adopting this 
course, more particularly when he has to contend with 
“ Yieux routier.” It is common to hear some people say they 
object to a certain man as he is very particular, that is to say, 
when selling, but not when buying ; they do not care how you 
scrutinise a horse when they have to pay the purchase- 
money. I have been told by farmers that a “ vet.” ought to 
overlook many little things when a gentleman is the purchaser, 
because he can well afford to lose his money if anything 
goes amiss. Sellers of horses—as a general rule—are not 
sufficiently versed in what constitutes the duties of an ex¬ 
aminer as to soundness; indeed I have known some gentle¬ 
men give a hint to the “ vet.” not to look more closely than 
needs be. When this suggestion is made, he ought to take 
extra pains in examining his case. But this is a digression, 
and now to proceed. We all know how prone the horse is 
to the deposition of bony matter upon various parts of his 
frame when a sufficient exciting cause has called it forth. We 
find cases of substitution also very frequent as we approach 
towards the pedal extremity ; for example, this substitution is 
met with between the metacarpal bones and in cartilaginous 
structures generally, when contiguous to the bones- 
The lateral cartilages are—as I have said—especially liable 
to the change of structure adverted to, in certain bred horses. 
These appendages too, often feel like dried gutta-percha, 
and are curled towards their posterior parts, which must to a 
certain extent impair the action of the animal so circum¬ 
stanced. Being intended to protect certain parts by warding 
off concussion, the lateral cartilages should be extremely 
pliable. Much may be said of these bodies, were it 
necessary. I know of no portion of the anatomy of the 
horse more overlooked by some persons than the lateral 
cartilages, and I have no doubt much diversity of opinion 
will exist as to a diseased state of the parts being considered 
an unsoundness when, of course, the disease has rendered 
them but slightly rigid. It is usual to certify an animal 
sound if no lameness is apparent. 
I pass over that disease called e( quittor,” not believing 
any person would subject an animal to the ordeal with such 
a disease apparent. The next to catch the eye is a sore heel , 
this is generally looked upon as a very trivial affair, and un¬ 
worthy of notice, A word or two, how ever, may not be un- 
