Soundness refers to a horse that has no problems or injuries that affect its movement and usefulness. Soundness is extremely important because the efficiency in a horses performance is dependent on its ability to move. When you look at a horse, it is important to watch for unsoundness and blemishes. The difference in these two terms is in how thye affect the horse.

Blemishes are an injury or imperfection which affects the appearance of the horse, but not its usefulness.

Unsoundness is an injury or abnormaility which affects the vaule of the horse and its usefulness. They may cause lamness or affect the horse in some other way so that it cannot be used.

Blemishes may not look nice, but they do not affects how useful the horse will be. Unsoundness in horses may result in lameness or restrict what activities the horse can be used for.

Common unsoundnesses and blamishes are listed below with a brief description. Unsoundnesses are labeled with a "U", blemishes are labeled with a "B". Some are classified as both an unsoundness and a blemish because depending on the severity, a blemish may become an unsoundness.

Blindness (U) - a complete lack of vision in one or both eyes which may be caused by injury or disease. Blind horses will not react to quick motions near the affected eye(s). Blindness is hereditary.

Bog Spavin (B,U) - a soft filling of the natural depression on the front and inside of the Hock joint, usually due to faulty Conformation or injury. This rarely causes lameness.

Bone Spavin / Jack Spavin (U) - a bony enlargement on the inside and front lower hock where the hock tapers into the Cannon Bone, usually due to faulty conformation or injury. This usually causes lameness.

Bowed Tendon (B,U) - an enlargement of any or all of the tendons and ligaments behind the cannon, caused by excess stretching of the tendon due to stress or faulty conformation. This occurs most commonly in the forelegs.

Bucked Shins (B,U) - inflammation of the periosteum or bone covering on the front side of the cannon bone. This is characterized by a painful swelling along the front of the cannon bone. The horse will usually try to rest the affected leg(s). It is seen most frequently in young horses which are subjected to hard, fast work. Lameness is uaully temporary is the horse recieves adequate rest.

Capped Elbow / Show Boil (B) - a soft fluid-filled or firm swelling at the point of the elbow.

Capped Hock (B,U) - a firm enlargement on the point of the hock due to injury. This can, but rarely causes lameness.

Contracted Heels (B) - the Hoof is narrower than normal (contracted) especially at the heels. This is most common in the forelegs and is often due to improper shoeing. This may be an indication of founder or navicular syndrome.

Cresty Neck (B) - the Crest of the neck is thickened by excess fat deposits. This condition increases the weight carried on the forelegs and may be an indication of laminitis.

Curb (B,U) - an enlargement of the ligament found on the upper rear part of the cannon below the hock (the plantar ligament). This is caused by injury or faulty conformation and may cause lameness.

Fistulous Withers (B,U) - an inflammation of the withers, usually caused by bruising.

Founder / Laminitis (U) - an inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the foot. It is often characterized by horizontal "founder rings" in the hoof Wall and is usually more sever in the front feet. In severe cases, the horse may stand camped out in front to relieve pressure on the front feet.

Heaves / Broken Wind (U) - difficulty in forcing air out of the lungs due to a loss in elasticity in the lungs. This is usually more noticeable after exercises as the horse ocntracts abdominal muscles forcibly to expel air. This is usually accompanied by a chronic cough, heave line and most often occurs in older horses. The horse is unsound for strenuous work.

Hernia (U) - the protrusion of any internal organ though the body wall. Usually seen in the abdominal, umbilical or scrotal areas.

Monkey Mouth (U) - a hereditary condition in which the lower jaw is longer then the upper jaw.

Mutton Withers (B,U) - low, wide withers. This type of withers are prone to injury if the Saddle slides forward.

Navicular Syndrome (U) - a chronic degenerative process of the navicular bone, navicular bursa and deep flexor tendon. The primary causes are strenuous work, concussion and poor conformation; ex. small feet, steep pasturns and shoulders. It rarely affects the hind feet. Horse may point the most affected foot or stand with the forefeet extended forward. The horse will try to land toe first when travelling to aviod Frog pressure and concussion, making the stride is short and choppy. No cure exists, but drugs, corrective shoeing and some surgery may be used to ease pain.

Osselets (B,U) - an enlargement, either fluid-filled or bony, on the front side of the Fetlock joint, slightly off-center of the front of the leg. The horse may travel with a short, choppy stride. It is usually caused by stress and concussion from hard work or faulty conformation. Lameness if usually temporary unless the bone growth interfers with joint mobility.

Parrot Mouth (U) - a hereditary condition in which the lower jaw is shorter then the upper jaw.

Poll Evil (U) - an inflamed area between the ears usually caused by a bruise in the poll region.

Popped Knee / Water on the Knee (B,U) - a swelling of the front of the knee, usually caused by injury or concussion.

Quittor (B,U) - a deep-seated inflammation of the hoof which drains pus through the Coronary Band. This is caused by a direct injury such as puncture wounds, cuts, interference, etc. It is usually only a temporary lameness if treated early.

Ringbone (U) - bony enlargement(s) on one or more bones and / or joints of the pasturn region. It is most common in the forelegs and is caused by injury or faulty conformation.

Roaring (U) - characterized by a whistling or roaring sound occurring with inspiration, especially with increased respiration from exercise. This is caused by paralysis of the muscles of the larynx, often due to a lengthy respiratory infection. Most cases can be corrected surgically.

Sand Cracks (B) - cracks in the hoof wall. They may start at the Coronet and go down or at the bottom of the hoof wall and go up. This is usually caused by injury or interference, improper hoof care and alternating wet and dry conditions.

Sidebone (B,U) - bony enlargement(s) above and to the rear of the hoof as a result of ossification of ligaments. It is most common in the forelegs and is usually caused by concussion due to faulty conformation.

Splint (B) - a calcification (bone growth) on the inside or outside of the cannon bone at the junction of the cannon bone and the splint bones. It is most commonly found inside the front cannon and is usually due to injury or faulty conformation. It rarely affects the horse after the initial lameness has disappeared.

Stifled (U) - also known as "upward fixation of the patella". It occurs when the Stifle is fully extended. The patella (aka. kneecap) becomes displaced and locks in place above the stifle joint. It may release on its own or may require manual manipulation. This is seen most frequently in post-legged horses and once this occurs, the ligaments are stretched and the horse will be prone to stifling again. It may be surgically corrected.

Stringhalt (U) - an involuntary flexion of the hock during movement. It may affect one or both hind legs. The cause of this is unknown and the action is accentuated when the horse is turned or backed. It is most noticeable after the horse has rested. Severe cases may be corrected surgically.

Sway Back (B,U) - a weak topline. This restricts the ability of the horse to pull its legs forward beneath its hindquarters.

Sweeny (B,U) - atrophy or shrinkage of teh Shoulder muscles. In advanced cases, the shoulder appears flat and the shoulder blade or scapula is readily visable. Caused by direct injury to the suprascapular nerve which serves the shoulder muscles. The nerve does not regenerate so the performance ability of the horse is limited.

Thoroughpin (B) - a puffy swelling in the hollow above the hock joint. It is moveable by Hand pressure from one side of the hock to the other and is usually due to injury or faulty conformation. It rarely affects the horse after the initial lameness has disappeared.

Thrush (B,U) - a condition of the frog of the hoof characterized by a black, foul smelling discharge. It is an anaerobic condition (it thrives on lack of oxygen) and usually results from wet conditions.

Windpuffs / Windgalls (B) - puffy, fluid-filled swellings at the top of the fetlock joint. It is usually a result of heavy work or unconditioned stress.