1 42 EX A MINA TION OF HORSES 



There is an extra point to be observed on the ^_^side, 

 on account of the mane usually lying over on that side. 

 Lift the mane, and look for " poll-evil/' and of course 

 any skin disease. A year ago a most amusing instance 

 of the neglect of this precaution and its consequences 

 presented itself to my notice. Two most experienced 

 horse-dealers, brothers, bought a weight-carrying, good- 

 looking pony at a fair held in Borobridge, in Yorkshire. 

 They both noticed that the pony carried its nose out ; 

 but this they thought arose from the idle habits and 

 leisure of the pony, whose only duty it had been to 

 carry an old gentleman leisurely about a small farm. 

 This pony had a large, long mane ; and after getting it 

 home, the mane being lifted in search of a most dis- 

 agreeable odour, perceived on taking off the bridle, a 

 "poll-evil" of enormous size was discovered. Next 

 morning I was sent for by the aged father, who was 

 using choice language (of its kind), to look at the 

 bargain, and found three very large suppurating sinuses. 

 In this case the parts had been cleaned at the time of 

 sale, and all stench removed, and the mane nicely 

 covered over the sore. What a glaring and unusual 

 mistake, you may say. Not at all. Horse-dealers are 

 as little infallible as any class I know. I have not 

 finished the story yet. On my telling them that it 

 would take months to cure this case, they did as they 

 had been done by, and took the pony to York Christmas 

 show, and sold him to two dealers, partners, from 

 London. How extremely careful veterinary surgeons 



