54 SOUNDNESS IN HORSES. 



CHAPTEK Y. 



METHOD OF EXAMINATION. 



FiEST Stage. 



Look at the liorse while he is standing quietly in his 

 stall, so as to observe if he points with either fore foot ; 

 stands in any constrained attitude ; or shows signs of 

 cribbing, wind-sucking, or weaving. We should also see 

 if there is anything peculiar in his stable management, 

 which might indicate vice or infirmity. For instance, 

 the side of the manger may be covered over with iron 

 net-work, or some strong-smelling or bitter compound to 

 prevent crib- biting. The horse may have on a side-stick 

 or cradle to prevent him tearing his clothing, &c. ; a 

 crib-biting muzzle, or a strap round his neck to stop him 

 from cribbing or wind-sucking ; or hobbles, or a log, if 

 he is inclined to kick, or to injure himself by continually 

 pawing the ground with a fore foot; or he may have 

 marks on his neck of a crib-biting strap. Bales of one 

 kind or the other are sometimes used to prevent a horse, 

 which is that way inclined, from kicking his stall or 



