Supreme Court of New Hampshire, 1878

Alexander v. Dutton

Alexander v. Dutton
Supreme Court of New Hampshire · Decided March 5, 1878 · Allen
58 N.H. 282

Alexander v. Dutton

Opinion of the Court

Allen, J.

The defendant’s contention, that, as matter of law, corns in a horse’s feet do not constitute unsoundness, cannot be sustained. *283 The court cannot take judicial notice of the fact (if it be a fact) that corns are never so serious as to amount to unsoundness. The law gives a general definition of unsoundness, and leaves it to the trier of the facts to find whether the infirmity of corns, in a particular case, is within the legal definition of unsoundness, — whether that defect materially diminishes the value of the horse and his ability to perform service. Such a diminution of value and ability is an unsoundness, although it be temporary and curable. Kiddell v. Burnard, 9 M. & W. 668; Roberts v. Jenkins, 21 N. H. 116, 119, 120.

Judgment on the verdict.

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