THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 171 



glassy appearance, the pupil perfect, and the iris quite natural. It should 

 affect the price of the animal, only as detracting from elegance. 



THE MODE IN WHICH A HORSE PROGRESSES WHEN BLIND. 



2. White Spot. — Sometimes a small white spot will appear on tibw* 

 eye of a young horse, generally after three years of age, and usually 

 near the outer comer. It has a peculiar cloudy appearance, sometimes 

 increasing to the size of a hemp seed, and occasionally larger. The du- 

 ration is variable, sometimes lasting for years, and again disappearing in 

 a short time. It really impairs the vision but little, if any. Unless its 

 history is known a veterinary surgeon should decide whether it is incipient 

 cataract or not. Some veterinarians have termed it spurious cataract, but 

 this is entirely a misnomer. The name white spot describes it perfectly, 



3. KoARiNG. — This is the result of obstruction in some part of th« 

 larynx or trachea, impeding the breath, and causing a peculiar roaring 

 sound when the animal is in motion. It is rarely found in the United 

 States, being chiefly confined to draft horses. It is often the result of 

 chronic cough. In England it is quite common, and when present in a 

 horse of fast work, will render him worthless for the road. It may b« 

 discovered by urging the horse to a fast gait. 



4. Oblique Tail, or Wry Tail. — This is caused by contraction of 

 the muscles of the tail on one side. It may sometimes be improved by 

 a surgical operation, and should be considered a serious defect in any 

 horse, and especially so in a driving horse. 



