Examination of a Horse for Soundness. 283 



over the withers for fistula, down over the shoulder, 

 noting if the muscles of the part are wasted or not, over 

 the elbow, looking out for shoeboil; then with the flat of 

 the right hand (which has been used all along) feel the 

 cannons, looking out for splints, handle the tendons, 

 which should be hard or cordy as it is often termed, look 

 for puffs and in heavy horses feel down into the feather 

 for grease, etc. ; for scars from nerving, windgalls, ring- 

 bone; lift the foot, by pinching with right hand just 

 above the fetlock and holding it up with the left hand 

 at the toe, note the sole, frog, etc. , looking out for corns, 

 thrush and dropped sole, the shoe should be off to make 

 a thorough examination; examine the coronet for quittors 

 and the walls for sandcracks, which may have been filled 

 with tar; note also whether the heels are contracted; let 

 the foot go, turn with face to the front of the horse and 

 with the palm of the left hand examine for sore shoul- 

 ders and sitfasts, down the front of the leg, over the 

 knee for broken knees, a very bad sign in saddlers; down 

 the front of the cannon, pastern and hoof looking for the 

 ringed appearance there, then the cartilages should be 

 examined for sidebone. When examining the limbs do 

 not sit down, keep the knees stiff and bend the back, it 

 looks horsemanlike and one is not so likely to get stepped 

 on. Turn again with the head to the horse's flank and 

 with the right hand resume the examination of the body, 

 looking out for saddle galls, broken ribs, etc. , if a geld- 

 ing or stallion note the condition of the scrotum, note the 

 point of the hip, and step back a few paces behind the 

 horse, noting any lowering of a hip from the level of its 

 fellow, then step to one side level with the tail, noting 



