Examining a Horse 69 



examined for corns, the cleft in the frog for thrush, 

 and the sole for bulging. 



After finishing the fore leg, the examiner should go 

 carefully over the horse's side and belly, looking for 

 any tumors, sores, hernia or ruptures. In the male, 

 the penis and sheath should be examined for tumors or 

 disease. It should be noted whether the hair on the 

 belly in front of the sheath is normal in appearance, as 

 some horses do not protrude the penis in passing urine 

 and the skin in front of the sheath is irritated so that the 

 hair is shed. The scrotum in males should always be 

 examined for tumors, and geldings must be scrutinized 

 to be sure they are not ridglings. In examining the 

 hind legs of a strange horse, it is always well to take 

 precautions to prevent being kicked, by having an 

 assistant hold up one fore foot. 



The muscles of the hip should be examined for scars, 

 the stifle joint for any enlargement or soreness that 

 would indicate stifle. A thorough examination should 

 be made of the hock joint, because of the number and 

 importance of the defects that may occur in this region. 

 The back of the hock joint should be examined for 

 capped hock, curb and scars which may indicate that 

 the animal is a kicker. Just in front of the point of 

 the hock, look for thorough - pin . The hock joint 

 proper is to be examined for spavin, both bone spavin 

 and bog spavin, also for any enlargements or any ir- 

 regularities of movement. Below the hock, look for 

 wind -puffs, ring-bones, scratches and diseases of the 

 foot. After completing the examination of one side, go 

 over the opposite side with equal care. 



