172 illustrated stock doctor. 



5. Turning the Toe of the Hoof out or in Unduly, Sand Cracks, 

 Quarter Cracks, Dish Hoofs, Over-reaching, Interfering, etc., are 

 all to be looked for before finally buying a horse. They are all disabili- 

 ties that should not be present where the purchaser pays full price for 

 the animal. They are, however, all so apparent that the purchaser is to 

 blame if he fails to see them. 



6. Wolf Teeth. — These rudimentary teeth, which are found in some 

 horses but not in mares, and which have been supposed by ignorant 

 persons to produce blindness, and other diseases, are entirely harmless, 

 except for the abrasion they sometimes occasion to the tongue and cheeks. 

 If they do so they are easily taken out by any sensible blacksmith. In 

 fact it is quite well to extract them, not that they will produce serious 

 disease, but simply because they are not of any value, are useless to the 

 animal, and may occasion slight inconvenience. 



7. Shying. — This is one of the most dangerous habits a horse can 

 have, whether it be occasioned by cowardice — seldom the case ; injudi- 

 cious punishment — more common ; or from defective eyesight, or from 

 all these combined. If you are so unfortunate as to have a shying horse 

 endeavor to break him of the vice by allowing him to examine objects of 

 which he is afraid, by speaking soothingly to him, but never by whipping 

 or spurring him. When he shows a disposition to shy turn his head to 

 rather than from the object. Stop him ; let him approach the object and 

 touch it with his nose, for soon he will approach =it himself. If simply 

 caused by nervousness, he may thus be cured. If caused by being short 

 sighted there is no means of relief. Before you buy a horse be certain 

 that he has not this infirmity, as dangerous a one as it is disagreeable. 

 Such an animal is only fit to be driven by the side of another horse who 

 ivill keep him to his work, and upon which he at length will come to 

 depend, or of being driven as a wheeler in a team of four horses. 



