50 JUDGING HORSES 



83. Hereditary Diseases. In these classes it is of im- 

 portance to have in mind the diseases that are known as 

 hereditary. This term does not imply that the disease is 

 directly transmitted but that a horse having them trans- 

 mits to his get a decided tendency to contract them. The 

 newly born foal never shows them, but from its parents it 

 inherits the defects of conformation that predisposes it 

 towards these diseases. The Royal Commission composed 

 of the leading veterinarians of England have decided that 

 the following diseases in horses are hereditary : Roaring, 

 whistling, sidebone, ringbone, navicular disease, curb, 

 bone spavin, bog spavin, thoroughpin, grease, shivering 

 and cataract. 



84. The Mare Classes. In addition to the lighter head, 

 neck and fore quarter which is the proper type of the sex, 

 the mare should specially differ from the stallion in the 

 roominess of the barrel. The ribs should be deeper and the 

 body bss compact and with much more length of loin than 

 in the case of the stallion. 



85. Colts and Fillies. This is probably the hardest class 

 for the judge to satisfy himself in rendering decisions. 

 This class cannot be judged without considering the pos- 

 sibilities of the future which comes only from experience. 

 It is the growthy colt or filly with ideal limbs and rather 

 lanky body that is likely to prove the superior animal 

 when mature ; while the compact, smooth bodied colt or 

 filly that is not constructed on correct mechanical prin- 

 ciples is likely to develop into a disappointment. 



V. ESTIMATING THE AGE OF HORSES BY THEIR TEETH. 



It is necessary to know the indications of age as they 

 appear in the teeth that no animal may be unfairly classed 

 with those that are younger. The indications become in a 

 degree satisfactory to those who have proven them many 

 times by personal observation and experience in noting the 

 differences that exist. It is to be remembered however, 



