HUNTERS 149 



be the effect of disease probably, might only be 

 temporary, and would only affect the sight by 

 obstructing the light, if in the centre of the cornea ; 

 if on one side it will probably be of little import- 

 ance, unless of considerable size. 



A cause of impeded sight is one that is not 

 very common and seldom suspected, and yet 

 might largely diminish the usefulness of a hunter. 

 In the centre of the pupil may be seen a dark 

 body, the corpus nigrum, and sometimes this is so 

 abnormally large that the sight of that eye is 

 completely obscured. This any one can judge for 

 himself, as it is easily seen. 



If any doubt exists as to the presence of cata- 

 ract the horse should be taken into a dark stable, 

 and a light procured (an ordinary match will do) 

 and passed backwards and forwards in front of 

 the suspected eye. If it is healthy three reflec- 

 tions of the light should appear, two being 

 upright, which should follow the movement of 

 the light, and the third inverted, which should 

 move in the contrary direction to the others. 

 If only two reflections are seen the eye is 

 diseased. 



The horse should have a long head ; be broad 

 between the eyes, with long nostrils when at rest ; 

 have good, large ears ; and be wide enough 

 between the angle of the jaws to insert between 

 them the outstretched forefinger, including its 

 knuckle. 



Q. Why should a horse have a long head ? 



A. A short-headed horse, especially a gelding, 

 has nearly always silly ways even if he is not a 

 fool. A horse, too, with a short head has always 

 a short body, for two and a half heads equal the 



