JtfRISPKtfDEKCE. 
153 
which is a union of these two bones, (. Anchylosis ), whether com¬ 
plete or incomplete, is unsound. The size and form of the feet 
must he carefully noted. A very small foot, or a very large one, 
while they may be .natural and may be healthy, indicate a ten¬ 
dency to lameness, but do not constitute unsoundness unless the 
size be the result of disease. General contraction of the foot or 
partial, that is, contraction of one quarter, may be caused by 
navicular disease, corns, or bad shoeing, and constitutes unsound¬ 
ness. Corns, thrush, canker, seedy toe, sand crack, false-quarter, 
nuttor, pumiced foot, separation of the laminae, resulting from 
laminitis indicated by flat sole, ridges on the wall, placing the 
heels down flrst and general stiffness of action, navicular disease, 
pointing, wearing of the toe of the shoe, wasting of the muscles 
of the shoulder, stiffness on starting, if not positive lameness, and 
in many cases thickening of the tendon and pain on pressure in 
the hollow of the pastern, dislocation of any of the joints 
of the limb, either partial or complete, is unsound. Knuckling 
forward of the fetlock, one or both, even in a slight degree, being 
indication of disease of the bones, (usually osteophytes), or con¬ 
traction of tendons or ligaments, notwithstanding the contrary 
opinions usually given, must be considered unsound, not only as 
indicating disease, but by reducing the value of the animal. Pro¬ 
ceeding to the hind leg, the quarter will be examined for atrophy 
or wasting of the muscles, indicatory of chronic lameness; the 
hip, for thickening of the tendon of the gluteus maximus or dis¬ 
ease of the joint; the stifle, for distension of the capsular liga¬ 
ment, either of the joint itself (between the condyles and head of 
the tibia) or of the patella; the hock, for bogspavin and thorough- 
pin, either or both constituting unsoundness. Bonespavin in all 
degrees, or on whatever situation, is unsound. Cappedhock may 
be of such a nature as to be little detriment other than a slight 
blemish; on the other hand it may involve the bursa, the tendon, 
or the bone, and prove a serious and permanent injury. In all 
cases it lessens the value and is therefore unsound, but a modified 
opinion should be given according to the nature of the case. 
Curb in all degrees is unsound, more especially in crooked legs 
and badly formed hocks. The same remarks apply to the parts 
