HORSES. 203 



.Mules weighing 1,025 Ibs., 9 pounds of oats and 14 Ibs., of 

 hay. 



PROBLEM. 



What is the difference in cost to the government between keeping a 

 mule and an artillery or cavalry horse? 



Exercises. 



EXAMINING THE HORSE. 



1. Examine horse in the stable. 



2. Note how he is tied to the manger. 



3. Has he been chewing tie-strap or feed boxes? 



4. How does he stand in his stall? 



5. What is his general behavior when you step to his side? 



6. How does he behave while being groomed? 



7. Groom him along the belly; back of forelegs; front of hind legs, 

 and about the flank, and note his behavior. 



8. Harness the animal. Note manner when harnessed. 



9. Note manner while placing headstall over the ears. 



10. Note manner of action while placing the crupper and buckling the 

 girth. 



11. Take horse from the stall. Does he stumble? 



12. Note manner of going in and out of barn. 



13. Note carefully when he is turning around, backing, starting, or 

 stopping. 



14. Examine effect of bridle rein. Is he uneasy? 



15. Does the horse understand and obey? ^ 



16. Is he gentle? Is he afraid, especially of autos? 



17. Is he willing to pull? Observe method of pulling. 



18. Try him for wind. Is he nervous or calm? 



19. Does he drive single and double? 



20. Is he fast or slow? Note the walk and the trot. 



21. Are the feet sound, the limbs clean; well developed? 



22. Observe the eyes, nostrils, mouth, hearing. 



23. Observe horse while trotting and walking; look at him from 

 front, side and rear while moving. 



24. Are there any blemishes, or spots indicating that the horse in- 

 terferes or has sore shoulders ; look for gray hairs to indicate healed 

 wounds. Is the horse sound? What is he worth? 



Exercises in Judging Age. 



The age of a horse is an important factor in determining 

 value, and the characteristics that indicate certain ages are not 



