46 Roaring in Horses. 



brated race-horse Taurus, which was a Roarer, and yet, 

 though he sired a number of foals and fiUies from several 

 mares, none of them inherited his defect, and they won 

 many races. He came from a stock noted for this disability. 



3. Breed. 



All breeds are not equally predisposed to become Roarers. 



In France, Reynal asserted that the affection was more 

 frequently observed in heavy- draught horses than in those 

 used for light draught or riding ; though he mentions the 

 old Norman race, reared in the Cotentin, and recognised by 

 the great development of its bony frame, its large convex 

 face, narrow space between the lower jaw, which is volu- 

 minous and projects much backwards, as being especially 

 predisposed. 



In Germany, though the heavier breeds of horses are not 

 exempt, yet the lighter furnish by far the largest percent- 

 a«-e of Roarers. The Hostein and Hanoverian horses, which 

 somewhat resemble those of Normandy, have been consi- 

 dered as greatly predisposed to Roaring. 



In England, more than half a century ago, Youatt said : 

 " There can be no doubt of the fact that the majority of 

 Roarers are draught-horses and horses of quick draught ; 

 they are not only subject to the usual predisposing causes 

 of this obstruction, but there is something superadded — the 

 bearing- rein." At the present day, there can be no doubt 

 that the lighter breeds of horses are most predisposed. A 

 recent writer^ states that "Cleveland-bay, coaching-like 

 horses, Shire and Clydesdale cart-horses, hunters and van- 

 horses, appear to be most disposed to the affection," and 

 that " a fruitful source of transmission to our half-bred 

 stock has been the use of thoroughbred horses, cast as 

 Roarers, becoming country stallions." 



In my experience, the breed of saddle-horses is more pre- 

 disposed than any other — a circumstance which I attribute 

 1 T. Hopkin, " Veterinary Journal," May, 1888, p. 317. 



