The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-06-23
SOundness and UnsOundness of the
HArsa


Horse.
One of the commonest sources of an.
noyance, disputes and law suits in the
community is found in the question of
soundness or unsoundness of the horse
lie Is sold, or battered oftener than any
other animal and the want of knowi-
edge OF the constitutional qualities, as
well as the diseases and mal-comforma.
ton OF the animal, or those to which
he is peculiarly liable, make this a sub.
ject OF especial interest and Importance
to every individual in the country. The
statutes of the State ought to declare
what constitutes unsoundness in the
horse, and how far, and in what manner
he may recover who has been deceived
in the purchase of an unsound animal.
The matter has been made the subject
of high judicial decision in England;
and the ground covered by these deci-
sions is, that there is no disease, and no
alteration of structure, or mal-forma.
ton, which impairs, or would be likely
to impair, the natural usefulness of the
horse, he is considered in all respects as
sound. On the contrary, where disease
is shown to exist, or where there is an
alteration of structure, which renders
the animal incapable of natural labor,
khc is unsound. By these decisions it
twas considered "as settled law, that the
breach Of warranty of soundness, does
not entitle the purchaser to return the
horse, but only to recover the difference
of value of the horse, with or without
the particular unsoundness the ques-
ton of temporary maladies, producing
no permanent deterioration of the ami
NAL. would, generally speaking, only
involve right to damages mere nomi.
nal"
A buyer of a horse ought to know
whether the form of the animal is
adapted to the labor he is destined for,
4 whether it be travel or draft, but he
may be deceived as to diseases, and inter-
nal alteration of structure. In our
enumeration of the causes Of unsound.
ness we shall follow Youatt London Ed
ton
Broken Knees do not constitute un-
soundness unless the action of the
joint is interfered with. A thorough
trial should be had, however, before
buying.
Contraction of the foot, does not neces-
sarily constitute unsoundness, but
careful examination of the frog, and
cartilage of the foot, and observation as
to the step of the horse-whether or
not the foot seems to be tender, or
whether any lameness exists-must not
fail TO be made, and special written
warranty should be taken where the
feet are small and contracted.
CornS, constitute unsoundness, and
often render the horse nearly useless,
nd
may be so small and slight as to cause
no trouble at the time, but are liable to
enlarge, from various causes, and be-
come exceedingly troublesome. 1t is
safe never to purchase horse with
corns, or which has tender feet.
Coughs. These arise from disease, and
constitute unsoundness. Lord Ellen
borough said, {" have always held that
warranty of soundness is broken if
the animal. at the time of sale, had any
infrmity upon him that rendered him
less fit for present service. 1t is not ne
cessary that disorders should be perma-
nent or incurable. While he has
cough he is unsound, though that may
be temporary or prove mortal"
Roaring, Dheezing' blowing and granting,
being the result of alterations of struc-
ture of the air passages, constitute UNI
soundness. SO also of crib biting, though
some regard it as only habit or trick
of the horse, yet it leads to collie, and
predisposes to loss of condition and of
natural power Of endurance. 1t is
brought on, possibly, by morbid con-
dition Of the stomach.
Enlarged Hock.-The enlargement of
the hook from any cause must be re-
garded as unsoundness. So of ring
bone, which affects the postern, though
the horse may not be untitled for COM
mon farm labor. The simple fact that
ringbone is transmitted is enough to
make it cause of unsoundness. A
mare with ringbone should never be
allowed to breed.
LafneneSS.-A horse which is lame
from any cause except mere accident is
unsound. Spavins, splint, when it
affects. the action of the joint, string
halt enlargement of the back sinews
and wind gals, when they cause lame.
ness, are all evidences of alterations of
structure, and constitute unsoundness.
There are other causes of unsoundness
in the horse not so common as these
enumerated, or so readily observed A
purchaser could often avoid the trickery
of horse-dealers by requiring q special
warranty covering all vices which the
horse is liable to, and asserting that he
is quiet to ride or drive.
SuperphOsphates.