BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE. 151 



dish and very sensitive spot in the sole of the foot under the shoe, 

 caused by a rupture of the delicate blood - vessels, resulting in an 

 abnormal fungoid growth. 



Costiveness. — May bring on "blind staggers" in a horse inclined 

 to this disease. ISTo horse should be hurried when first taken out 

 till his bowels have been moved. 



Cough. — Constitutes unsoundness while it lasts. Caused by foul 

 air, dusty food, irregular work. Crush the oats, damp the hay, and 

 give linseed tea for drink. 



Cribbing, or Crib-biting. — Is sometimes considered a vice, but 

 is doubtless a result of indigestion. The horse lays hold of the 

 manger with his teeth, straightens his neck, sucks wind into his 

 stomach, and ejects gas. Probably some alkali, say lime-water or 

 baking soda, would be beneficial. 



Curb. — A soft, painful swelling on the back of the hind-leg six 

 or eight inches below the hock. See illustration. 



Cutting. — See "Interfering" and "Speedy Cut." 



Discharge from Nostril. — Is usually caused by a simple cold, but 

 may be a symptom of the contagious and incurable disease glan- 

 ders, and proximity to it should therefore be carefully avoided. 



Distemper. — A disease of young horses, occurring once only. See 

 " Strangles." 



Ewe Neck. — Carries the head high and nearly in a horizontal posi- 

 tion, so that the bit has not a proper bearing on the "bars," but is 

 inclined to slip back towards the grinders. 



Farcy. — An incurable and contagious disease, caused by blood- 

 poisoning, and indicated by sores usually on inside of thigh, or on 

 neck and hips. As it is communicable to human beings, every 

 farcied horse should be immediately killed. It is well to avoid all 

 approach to horses having sores of any kind. See " Glanders." 



Filled Legs. — A swelled condition of the lower parts, usually caused 

 by want of exercise, and relieved by bandaging and rubbing. 



Fistula of the Withers. — An abscess among the muscles over the 

 shoulder-blades, usually caused by pressure of saddle upon the bony 

 ridge of back. Requires surgical operation. 



