BUYING A HORSE 45 



The neck should be searched to ascertain that both 

 jugular veins are perfect. This 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 will be 

 unserviceable as long as the inflammation or swelling 

 continues. 



The slightest tendency to sore backs makes a horse 

 unserviceable 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 examiner will be directed to the foot ; 

 which, ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, is the seat of 

 lameness forward. If that is found narrow, upright, and 

 strong, with the heels high, we may suspect navicular 

 disease. 



The chest and breast should also be searched for marks 

 of rowels, setons, and blisters, for the remains of them 

 render it probable that the horse has been under treatment 

 for inflamed lungs or chest affections, and should, in 

 prudence, direct the purchaser to ascertain by a smart 

 gallop whether the mischief is of a permanent nature. 



The knees should be examined with the utmost care, flrst 

 that they correspond in shape, and secondly, to ascertain 

 whether the skin has been broken by falls ; but it does not 

 follow that a mark or scar indicates a stumbler, and an 

 accidental blemish should not induce us at once to condemn 

 a well-formed animal. 



A broken knee may happen from a variety of causes. 

 The safest horse may fall by an unavoidable accident, such 

 as a false step, from something giving way under the foot, 

 as a round stone, from fatigue and over-exertion, or from a 

 bad rider. But a broken knee is a suspicious circumstance ; 

 it may be taken as an indication of existing or recent 

 unsoundness, and the slightest mark calls for careful obser- 

 vation of every part of the horse, of his make and action, 

 and suggests the narrowest scrutiny of the legs and feet. A 



