GENERAL SU11VEY OF A HORSE. 315 



1. Take note how the horse stands in the stable. Whether he stands 

 fairly on all four legs, or " points," or favours one. 



2. Whether he Cribs or Wind-sucks, par. 195. 



3. Note carefully how he turns in the stable. Stiffness, especially in 

 the hock, is more noticeable in the act of turning short than at any other 

 time, par. 606. 



4. Bring him near the door, about a foot or two inside the stable, and 

 examine his eyes, pars. 839 863. 



5. Bring him out, and let the groom at once trot him in hand with a 

 very slack rein, at the rate of about five and a half miles an hour, about 

 twenty-five yards in a straight line away from you. Take care that the 

 groom does not hold short or catch at his head. You can then best see 

 whether he goes Level, i. e. sound, par. 651. 



6. Then let the horse stand square and firm on his legs. Stand 

 yourself about eight feet directly in front of the horse. Carefully look 

 at him from that distance, beginning from between the ears, and let' 

 your glance come gradually down to the fore-feet, noting any defects en 

 route and especially observing whether the feet are pairs. 



7. Next, keeping the same distance from the horse, go to the near 

 side of the neck, and observe whether there is any mark of his having 

 been bled. 



8. Then move to opposite the chest, and you will see any defect, such 

 as an enlarged knee or any enlargements on either side of his front. 



9. Move along the near side (keeping the same distance, eight feet), 

 and note the conformation of the Ribs and Loins, pars. 912 914. Also 

 any double action of the Flanks, indicative of Broken Wind, par. 465. 

 In case of doubt a guarantee should be exacted. 



10. Keeping the same distance off, stand behind the horse. You will 

 at once see if there is any defect about the quarters, par. 915. And 

 especially if the Hips are of equal height, i. e. not one " let down," that 

 is no fracture of the point of the hip-bone, par. 588. 



11. Follow the same course on the off side, finishing off at the front of 

 the horse. This General Survey need not take more than three minutes. 



12. This general survey finished, then begin again at the Head. 



a. Standing on the near side, look into the Mouth for Age. Chap. 68. 



b. Open the mouth wide, and see that the Tongue is perfect, and also 

 the Molar Teeth, par. 877-. 



c. Examine the near Nostril for any suspicious discharge, par. 414, 

 Common Cold, and par. 525, Glanders ; also par. 887. 



d. Look in his Face. A good deal as regards Temper is to be gleaned 

 from the Face. . 



e. Feel the Poll and raise the Fore-lock, especially of a harness horse, 

 par. 710. 



f. Pass the hand along the channel of the Jaw to the throttle, 

 par. 892. 



g. Cough the horse. 



13. Still standing on the near side, pass your right hand down the 

 front of the near fore Limb, particularly feeling the front of the Knee, 



