ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 223 



Avoid horses with hackney knee-action. They are almost 

 sure to go wrong in front while young, and, while stylish, are 

 expensive and not apt to be long serviceable. 



Notice his breathing, the expansion of his nostrils, the heave 

 of his sides. 



Have him mounted next, and galloped sharply for a quarter 

 of a mile or so, and again inspect his breathing. If he labors 

 noiselessly for breath (thick wind), if the period of exhalation is 

 longer than the period of inhalation (heaves), if he makes a 

 noise at both inhalation and exhalation (whistling), or during 

 inhalation only (roaring), reject him. 



Feel his pulse; the most convenient place is at the jaw. A 

 large artery runs around the lower border of the jaw-bone and 

 up on the outside immediately in front of the heavy muscles of 

 the cheek. It can be easiest felt where it curves r round the 

 jaw-bone, by pressing it gently against the bone. To tike the 

 pulse, press the balls of the first and second fingers against the 

 artery. The count should be from 33 to 40 beats a minute; 

 nearer the first number before exercise, and the latter just after. 

 The pulse slows down in old age. It should be strong and reg- 

 ular. The heart can be easily heard by placing the ear at the 

 base of the throat or on the ribs behind the shoulder. 



An inspector who buys horses under contract should demand 

 that they come up to the specifications of the contract. Con- 

 tractors are presumed to have read the specifications before 

 they make their bids. The latter should be based on the value 

 of the horses asked for, and nothing short of that should be 

 expected. When horses of the grade advertised for are worth 

 $175, a contractor who agrees to furnish them for $150 should 

 not be permitted to put in inferior stock because of his false bid. 

 Not only does the inspector bring himself into disrepute for ac- 

 cepting inferior animals, but honest bidders who are ready to 

 deliver horses up to standard, at a proper price, are cut out of 

 their right to do so. 



