384 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



good wind, by the air rushing through the limited 

 aperture. Having satisfied yourself by this first 

 experiment that the horse is sound in the wind, pro- 

 ceed next to watch the flanks in breathing. If the 

 belly of the animal swells out, and the inspirations and 

 expirations are regular, it may be reasonably inferred 

 that his lungs are sound ; but if these are irregular, 

 and the inspiration stops before it is completed, with a 

 considerable drawing in of the flanks, with the ribs 

 very apparent, then it is certain his lungs are unsound. 

 The third test of broken wind is to trot the horse 

 pretty sharply, and watch the motion of his flanks, and 

 observe if he utters a noise in breathing, with consider- 

 able blowing. If this is the case, reject him. 



To examine whether a horse is a roarer, piper, or 

 whistler, place him with his side against a wall or the 

 side of the stall ; take hold of the bridle near the mouth, 

 and hold his head high, and give him a smart blow on 

 the ribs with your doubled fist, or touch him smartly 

 on the belly with a stick ; and if he utters a grunt at 

 each blow, he is a roarer ; and if he dances about in 

 consequence of the blows, sobbing, and drawing his 

 breath quickly, this will be found an indication of his 

 being a whistler, or piper. But for testing all diseases 

 connected with the lungs, nothing is better than a 

 good gallop or hard trot. Consider no time wasted 

 which is spent in thoroughly investigating all points 

 connected with the health of a horse. 



Having satisfied yourself on the above points, 

 stand in the rear of the animal, and scrutinise care- 

 fully the prominences of the hip-bones, and see 

 whether or not they are on a level, and especially 

 mark the round bones, which are situated a little 

 posterior to the prominences of the hip. This is 

 liable to lameness from strains, blows, and other 



