EXAMINATION FOE UNSOUNDNESS 63 



92. Impaired Vision. In regard to the eye there are 

 many defects of vision which can hardly be termed un- 

 soundnesses, yet they should be carefully looked for. A 

 horse by its action will usually indicate if the eyesight is 

 good. Stepping inordinately high or an inclination to shy 

 readily indicate defective vision. By moving the hand 

 gently in front of the eye, blindness may generally be dis- 

 covered if the eye is so affected. The hand should be 

 moved slowly for if the motion is made quickly the in- 

 fluence of the air on the eye will induce the horse to shut 

 it though it may not have seen the motion of the hand. 



93. Defective Hearing. Defects of hearing are more 

 common than is ordinarily supposed and they can usually 

 be foretold by the action of the ears. Rigid ears indicate 

 that the hearing has been lost. On the other hand when 

 the ears are used excessively there is reason to suspect 

 that the eyesight is not as perfect as it should be and on 

 that account the horse is trying to make its ears assist 

 its eyes by following closely every sound. 



94. Sweenied Shoulders. Passing to the shoulder it 

 should be closely observed for the presence of sweeny. 

 This is a shrinkage or atrophy of the muscles of this 

 region leaving the shoulder appear flat and the blade bare 

 of muscle. 



95. Capped Elbows. On the point of the elbow, shoe 

 boils or capped elbows may be frequently seen. The point 

 of the elbow is unduly enlarged by the accumulation of 

 matter. It is a blemish as it is unsightly though not inter- 

 fering with the horse at work. 



96. Splints. Continuing down the fore leg, splints 

 should be looked for on the cannon. They may be found 

 on almost any part of this region but some care is neces- 

 sary not to mistake the ends of the two small bones, that 

 are associated with the cannon, for splints. In some horses 



