Examining a Horse 67 



hand is removed and the light strikes the eye, the pupil 

 should rapidly contract to its normal size. This shows 

 that the eye is sensitive to light. Small, irregular 

 masses of dark coloring material, commonly called "soot 

 balls," are usually seen at the edge of the pupil in a 

 horse's eye, and are often regarded with suspicion by 

 those not familiar with the appearance of the eye. They 

 are normal, and of no importance. The eye should also 

 be examined for any signs of inflammation or abnormal 

 discharges from the inner corner. Persistent discharges 

 from the eye usually scald the skin and cause the hair 

 to be shed in this region. 



The throat should be examined for any thickness or 

 enlargement, especially of the glands which form a 

 goiter. The top of the head and neck should be ex- 

 amined for poll -evil, for swellings of any kind, and to 

 determine whether or not the horse will allow a bridle 

 or halter to be put on readily. The mane should be 

 thrown over and the side of the neck carefully examined 

 for fistulae or running sores, tumors or swellings of 

 any kind. Brands should also be looked for here. 

 The letters I. C. on the neck indicate that the animal 

 has been inspected and condemned in service in the 

 U. S. Army for unsoundness, vices, or inability to stand 

 gun-fire. 



After going over the neck, the withers should be 

 examined for fistulas, and the back for tumors, galls or 

 "sitfasts." The shoulder, also, should be examined for 

 tumors, galls, collar boils and sweeney, the last a wast- 

 ing of the muscles on the outside of the shoulder-blade. 

 The elbow should be examined for capped elbow, or shoe 



