710 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



Examining for Soundness. 



First Stage. 



Look at the horse 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 might be covered over with iron 

 network, or some strong-smelling or bittor compound to prevent 

 crib-biting. The horse might have on a side-stick or cradle to 

 IDrevent him tearing his clothing; 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 j>awing the ground with a fore foot; or he may have 

 on his neck marks 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 himself '' to pieces " during the 

 night. Arrangements for pulling the horse ix)und, without getting 

 in reach of his teeth or heels, will be sufficient to put the most 

 careless observer on guard. For this important portion of the 

 examination to be effective, the horse must be perfectly tranquil 

 and cooled down from the effects of recent work, and must not have 

 undergone the process of being " warmed up." 



Second Stage. 



We may now make the animal move over from one side of his 

 stall to the other, to see how he bends his hind limbs ; for symptoms 

 of spavin or stringhalt are often best observed at this time. We 

 must, however, guard against being deceived by any exaggerated 

 hind action, due to the horse being accustomed to stand in deep 

 straw bedding. 



