382 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



if they are of a similar hue, avoid the purchase of the 

 animal. 



If the coat of a horse stares, it is certain he is not 

 in good health. It will be noticed that their dung is 

 either unusually fetid and slimy, or it is soft and washy, 

 like that of a cow. When not disturbed, such animals 

 are languid and sleepy, but dealers take care in show- 

 ing them off temporarily to rouse them from their 

 lethargic condition, by inserting ginger into their anus, 

 salt into their mouth, and giving them a smart touch 

 or two with the whip ; and no sooner does the master 

 enter the stable, than they commence champing their 

 bits, cocking their tails, and exhibiting for a short time 

 all the appearance of perfect health and spirits. In the 

 meantime, the dealer exerts his clap-trap eloquence to 

 induce the novice to believe the animals are the best 

 and most active horses in Britain ; and they too often 

 succeed in inducing such a belief. The hand should 

 be drawn over the ribs, and the finger pressed firmly 

 between them. If the skin appear tight and unyield- 

 ing, it may be inferred that he is hide-bound, and 

 consequently labouring under some internal disease. 

 I would particularly direct the attention of the pur- 

 chaser to the mark of a cut which may be some inches 

 in length, and situated parallel with the shank-bone, 

 immediately below the pastern-joint. If such a mark 

 is found and the animal shows no signs of feeling, 

 when his limb above the hoof is struck with the point 

 of your boot, it is certain that the nerve operation 

 has been performed, which we particularly noticed at 

 page 218. Such a horse should instantly be rejected. 



In examining the foot, if the front and sides of the 

 hoofs are marked with circular depressions of any depth 

 running parallel to the coronet, it is certain that severe 

 inflammation has existed at one time in the sensible 



