204 THE iiorse-keeper's guide. 



?ame disease. Sometimes tliey exist in so slight a degree, 

 as to be discovcrahle only by quick and long-continued ex- 

 ertion ; but, when they are suspected, they should be tried 

 by a brushing gallop, though tliis is not always allowed. 



The only other simple and practicable plan to get at the 

 state of the breathing, is the common way of making the 

 horse cough, which if gross, and accompanied by a short 

 gi'oan, is conclusive, and the characteristic grunt, when 

 alarmed, is not to be misunderstouJ. But the cough is 

 not always marked, and therefore not infallible. If there- 

 fore there is any cause for doubt and suspicion, it is better 

 to call in a professional man, more especially as the slight- 

 er affections are apt suddenly to terminate in the greater, 

 without much warning, in a very short time. 



We now proceed to search for blemishes and those in- 

 dications of unsoundness which are apparent to external 

 examination, bearing in mind, any symptoms or suspicious 

 appearances in his action, that may lead us to suspect par- 

 ticular parts which should then be subjected to the sever- 

 est scrutiny. 



Any scars about the head, should direct attention to the 

 knees, or they may lead one to suspect there may have 

 been an attack of megfrims or stagi'grers. 



The neck should be searched to ascertain that both jug- 

 ular- veins are perfect, which is discovered by pressing on 

 the lower part of the neck, with sufficient force to stop the 

 return of blood from the head ; if the vein be perfect, it 

 will fill and swell from that point upwards towards the 

 head. The loss of one of them, if recent, predisposes the 

 horse to staggers or apoplexy, and he cannot be turned out 

 to grass or straw yard without risk. The withers should 

 be examined for bruises from the saddle, as he is unser- 

 vi('eable as long as heat or swelling continues. 



The*slightest tendency to sore back makes a horse un 

 serviceable for many months, and not unfrequently causes 

 him to rear and plunge on mounting. 



The shoulders should be examined for tumours. If there 

 are any marks of setons or blisters about the points, it is 

 probable he has been treated for shoulder lameness, and 

 the attention of the examinant will be directed to the foot ; 

 wlncn, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, is the seat of 

 lameness before. If that is found round and strong-, with 

 the heels high, we may suspect navicular disease. 



