252 GALLOPIXG TO TEST ROAKING. 



the purpose ; as the distance may have to be gone over 

 repeatedly, and a longer distance would distress the 

 runner and render him unfit to keep pace with the 

 horse without pulling his head round ; which will always 

 defeat the object of the examiner, inasmuch as it will 

 make the horse appear lame without being so. 



The saddle must next be put on his back, and after 

 the groom has mounted him, and suitable ground for a 

 trial have been selected — such as tan or straw ride, 

 turf or ploughed ground — he should be put from a trot 

 to a canter, increasing his pace as he goes on, and 

 ridden in a circle for about two minutes ; and if he has 

 not been broken he must be longed in a cavesson for a 

 similar length of time, in order that his organs of re- 

 spiration may be tested thoroughly. Immediately 

 after the horse has been pulled up, it will be necessary 

 to examine once more the action of the heart and lungs 

 previous to his being led back to the stable, where his 

 eyes must be examined in the dark with a candle, as 

 well as the top of his head for injuries likely to bring 

 about poll evil. He should then be tied up and allowed 

 to rest an hour, so that he may get perfectly cool ; 

 during which time it will be well to watch him closely, 

 so that if he have contracted habits of crib-biting, 

 wind sucking, pointing his toe, &c, they may be 

 detected. 



After the expiration of an hour he should again be 

 led out, and put through a walk and trot as before ; 

 when lameness — if any exist at the time of examination 

 — may easily be detected. 



