EXAIillNATION FOR PURCHASE. 263 



may infei tlie same behind. In the gallop, if he takes up 

 his legs quick and dashes in his haunches, not bringing 

 nis hind legs after him, his action is good. During this 

 display of action, the examinant will have an opportunity 

 of judging of the perfection of his wind ; if he does not, 

 ride the animal himself, he should stand close to the horse 

 at the moment he comes in to the gallop. 



The thick- winded horse breathes with difficulty and is 

 soon distressed. The flanks heave much and rapidly; 

 there is some little noise ; but the laborious heaving of 

 the flank is the principal indication. A horse unused to 

 exercise, or if fat, or exercised on a full stomach, will show 

 symptoms of thick wind ; and it has been observed of 

 great feeders, who never breathe freely until they have gone 

 a mile or two, or begin to sweat, that they are able to do 

 more work than others that do not labour under the same 

 difficulty. 



The wheezer, in addition to being thick winded, ut- 

 ters a sound like an asthmatic person when a little hurried. 

 Wheezing may frequently be heard while at rest in the 



stable. 



The piper, or whistler, utters a shriller sound than the 

 wheezer, but it is only heard after exercise, and that of 

 some continuance ; a short gallop up hill is sometimes ne- 

 cessary to develope it, but the whistler is soon distressed. 

 "Never buy a whistler; he cannot improve on your hand, 

 and he is almost sure to get to worse," said Sir Henry Pey- 

 ton to Nimrod ; an opinion to which 1 cordially subscribe ; 

 and the same adrice may be given of all these affections 

 of the air passages. 



Roaring is not heard at rest. In the majority it is only 

 developed by exertion, which quickens the breathing, and 

 the noise is increased in proportion as the pace is acceler- 

 ated ; though in a few it is audible as soon as put into the 

 trot. Knowing dealers, who wish to prevent the noise 

 from reaching the ears of an experienced purchaser, when 

 shewing a " Bull" of good action, start the horse a consid- 

 erable distance before putting him to the gallop, and in re- 

 turning, slacken the pace, so that the breathing becomes 

 tranquil before the horse reaches the examiner; this is 

 called " coming the long trot." Many of these lesions are 

 consequences of inflamed lungs, or diseased alterations of 

 the air passages, and most of them are modifications of the 



