258 THE horse-keeper's guide. 



Some young lioises, before they have been backed, have 

 this (letbrmity, from malformation of the knee; but if, in 

 addition to tliis bembng forward, there is any tremulous 

 motion of tlie Hmbs, it is a decided 2)roof of the existence 

 of that most destructive affection — Navicular disease. — 

 Whatever his age, he should be rejected — Never buy a 



TOTTERING HORSE. 



Another deception is effected by standing a horse up 

 hill ; the shoulder is made to appear more sloping ; and 

 dealers, to give that appearance, desire the near leg to 

 starid before the other. 



Though the dealer is perfectly justified in these little 

 manoeuvres to shew off" his c^oods to the best advanta2:e, 

 more especially in so fancy an article as a horse, which is 

 no more than is done and allowed by every tradesman ; 

 the prudent purchaser will not please his eye at the ex- 

 pense of his judgment, but see the horse on level gi'ound 

 and with his feet placed even. 



If one foot is more upright than the other, that foot is 

 diseased ; the same weight is not thrown on it ; and the 

 horse never shams : if it is of different temperature, active 

 disease is going on ; if an old standing complaint, the feet 

 will be fjund of different size, and possibly the muscles of 

 the arm and shoulders di7Tiinished in size. 



Taking our position in front of the horse, we examine 

 his fore legs ; that they are in proper position ; that there 

 is no weakness in the pasterns, or enlargement of the fet- 

 locks ; and that the feet are of the same size, and stand 

 square to the front. 



We judge of the general state of the animal's health by 

 }iis breathing condition, the brightness of his eye, the coloui 

 of the membrane lining the lid, and that of the membrane 

 lining the nostril, which in health is of a pale pink. If it 

 is a florid red, there is excitement of the system; and if it 

 is pale, approaching to white, it is a sign of debility. 



Each nostril should be alternately closed by the hand, to 

 ascertain that the air passages are not obstructed by polypus, 

 or enlargement of the turbinated bones. 



If there is any increased discharge from the nostrils, you 

 will probably be told it proceeds from slight cold ; in that 

 case, an accelerated pulse and affection of the eyes are 

 usually concomitants; nevertheless, as a precautionary 

 measure, the branches of the under jaw should be felt for 



