MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 9 



appear springy and weak when in action. The hock should be sup- 

 ported by a wide, thin, cleanboned cannon, which may be about 11 

 inches in girth at its smallest point. From rear position a line dropped 

 from the point of the buttock or crouj) viewed from behind, should 

 pass the center of point of hock, cannon, pastern and foot. From 

 one side it should pass parallel to the entire edge of cannon and when 

 suspended from the point of the hip should pass the gaskin at the 

 center and drop to the center of the foot. Such a horse is likely to 

 have a good constitution and be able to resist hard work, fatigue and 

 disease to a maximum degree. On the other hand a poor constitution 

 is indicated by a shallow, narrow chest, small bones, long loins, coarse 

 neck and head, with thick throat, small, long and musclar develop- 

 ment, short thighs and forearms, small joints, long, round cannons, 

 and hoofs of open texture with flat soles. 



The temperament is indicated by the manner in which the horse 

 responds to external stimuli. AMien the horse is spoken to or when 

 he sees or feels anything that stimulates or gives alarm, if he responds 

 actively, quickly and intelligently, he is said to be of a lively or 

 nervous temperament. On the other hand, if he responds in a slow, 

 sluggish manner, he is said to have a sluggish or lymphatic tempera- 

 ment. The temperament is indicated by the gait, by the expression 

 on the face and by the carriage of the head and ears. The nature 

 of the temperament should be taken into consideration in an endeavor 

 to ascertain the severity of a given case of illness, because the general 

 expression of an animal in disease as well as in health depends to a 

 large extent on the temperament. 



SOUNDNESS 



To be theoretically sound a horse must have no disease or other 

 condition that interferes or is likely to interfere with his usefulness. 

 A horse may have a disease from which he will recover. At the 

 time of the examination he will be technically unsound. 



A blemish does not interfere with his usefulness, but is unsightly, 

 as ewe neck, Roman nose, wire cut, scars, etc. 



An examination for soundness should be systematic and thorough, 

 although it may be rapidly done. Examination should be made with 

 the horse in the stall ; as he backs out. stands at rest and in motion. 

 In the stall, examine to see whether the horse cribs or weaves, or 

 has any other stable habit which is objectionable. As the horse backs 

 out of the stall, he may show peculiar use of the hind legs or imperfect 

 control, due to serious disorders of the nervous system. Very fre- 

 quently the first intimation of spavin may be had as the horse is made 

 to step from side to side, particularly as he steps toward the 

 spavined leg. 



At Rest : With the horse at rest the observer should begin in front 

 and examine the ears for hearing, for tumors that may develop around 

 the base, for split ears, etc. ._ _ , _ ._ _ 



