38 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERV 



cheek of the scrutiniser close to the cheek of the 

 horse, both behind and under the eye, and the latter 

 position is the most advantageous to see it thoroughly. 

 The open air is not favourable for such an examina- 

 tion. The head of the horse should be a little within 

 the doorway of a stable, and by looking outwards 

 any defect is rendered more visible. If any faint 

 whitish, milky-like streaks be noticed passing over 

 the cornea, it is certain the animal has had inflam- 

 mation in that portion of the eye. But, should the 

 centre part of the cornea be perfectly transparent, 

 and yet the margin of it, where it unites with the 

 sclerotica, have a hazy ring, it may be concluded 

 that this has been occasioned by recent inflammation, 

 and consequently the eye will be predisposed to a 

 return of it. 



During the operation of thus inspecting the eye, 

 no white or pale-coloured object should be near, as its 

 form and great transparency are very likely to reflect 

 these rays, and may deceive the person examining 

 the organ. 



Attention to the dilation and contraction of the 

 pupil will materially aid a person in the detection of 

 blindness or otherwise. When the cornea and crystal- 

 line lens are quite transparent, with the retina para- 

 lysed, and of course not liable to be affected by light, 

 blindness in one or both eyes will be extremely 

 difficult of detection. It generally happens, when a 

 horse is totally blind, he has a constant and rapid 

 motion in his ears. He also lifts his feet high, as if 

 some obstacle presented itself, and he puts his feet 

 to the ground with a cautious uncertainty. Particular 

 attention should be directed to the pupils of both 

 eyes, and to noticing whether they are both of a size 

 while he is in the stable ; and as he approaches the 



