70 THE HORSE: ITS TAMING, 



food partially masticated and spat out ; then stand 

 quietly behind him for a few minutes to notice stable 

 vices — such as wind-sucking, crib-biting, weaving, and 

 pawing. It is a nuisance to get a wind-sucker in a 

 stable, as the other horses are likely to acquire the 

 same habit 



Pawing. — Look at the stones under fore feet, and 

 also toes of front shoes, for evidence of this. Watch 

 if he appears to be restless upon any of his feet. 

 Many horses naturally rest one of their hind legs 

 at a time, but very seldom the fore legs, unless 

 diseased. If any suspicious action should be noticed, 

 a more particular examination of the doubtful part 

 should be made. The pulse should be next examined, 

 and for the guidance of the general reader, I will give 

 a few useful observations on this important matter. 



There are several parts of the horse where the pulse 

 can be felt, but the most convenient is at the lower 

 jaw. At this spot the pulsations may be not only 

 distinctly counted, but also the character of the action 

 accurately ascertained. 



In a healthy state, the pulsations in the heart of a 

 farmer's work-horse range from 35 to 37 beats per 

 minute ; in a thorough-bred horse, 40 to 42 ; and it 

 must be understood that this is only the condition of 

 the pulse when the horse is at rest, as all exertion, 

 according to its degree, will increase the rate. A 

 warm stable, nervousness, or fear, will also augment 



