DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE. 286 



formed one, with s^^ood, strong heels ; look back along- the belly 

 for warts and running- sores caused from castration, then pass 

 the hand down the back of the hips and see that the hip bones 

 are both the same size, then follow the hind leg over the hock and 

 hind fetlock an ! look for spavins, windgalls, curbs, splints, side- 

 bones and ringbones, also look at the stiffles and see that they are 

 all right ; examine the foot as you did in the front, then examine 

 the other side same as side mentioned ; after this stand back and 

 take a look at him to see how he stands on his legs, and, also, 

 how he holds his head anJ neck; notice if he stands with his front 

 feet well under him, for this is a good sign ■ at the same time see 

 if he is inclined to be weak in the knees and fetlocks. Beware 

 of calf-kneed horses for they are always stumblers ; see that he 

 stands neither too straight nor too crooked on his hind legs. 

 After this take a walk around to the front and see that he has a 

 well formed breast, and that he does not toe in nor toe out too 

 much; then make an effort as if you were going to strike him with 

 a stick or whip over the side, if he grunts examine close to 5ee 

 that he is not a roarer, then give him another good, sharp trot or 

 gallop to see that he carries his front and hind legs nice and 

 straight and that he has good action, also notice whether he car- 

 ries his tail straight or not. Step up quick and place your ear to 

 his nostril to see if he makes any noise, and be sure that he is all 

 right in his wind. To make sure that the horse is all right put 

 him in a stable for an hour or two, giving him a pail of water and 

 a feed, for in some cases of lameness the animal will not show it 

 uniil he has stood for a while. After this go into the stall and 

 take the horse out yourself, watching how he steps over and how 

 he- backs out of the stall for fear of strii^g halt and corea. After 

 this trot him again and test him for lameness and soundness in 

 his wind. 



HOW fO TELL A HORSE'S AGE BY HIS TEETH. 



Commencing at the time the colt is foaled: At nine days old 

 he gets two centre nippers, or front teeth, two above and two be- 

 low ; at nine weeks old he gets four more front teeth, one on each 

 side of the other two pairs, these are called the lateral teeth ; at 

 nine months old he gets four more front teeth, called the corner 

 teeth, one on each side of the two pair below, and one on each 

 siile of the two pair above. So, at nine months old, the colt has 

 «i full mouth of milk, or temporary front teeth. At the age of 



