HORSES, JACKS, JENNETS, AND MULES 219 



tender in the mouth. It should be observed whether he 

 frightens at strange objects when being driven. A tight- 

 fitting collar may be responsible for rejecting an animal 

 which is duly qualified with proper collar adjustments. The 

 wind should be tested for whistling, roaring, and heaves. 

 The ear of the examiner should be put to the throat, the sides 

 of the chest, and the hands placed on the flank to detect 

 any unnatural sounds or conditions in breathing. 



Going Surface.^ — The surface over which the horse steps 

 has a marked influence on the character of his stride, which 

 may be taken advantage of in the schooling process. As a 

 general rule, heavy, soft or deep going causes a high stride, 

 while a hard, smooth surface is conducive to speed. Of 

 the speed horses, trotters and pacers take more kindly to the 

 hard track than the runners, which do best on the turf or a 

 deeply scratched dirt track. The difference in the going 

 will frequently account for a horse trotting or pacing, the 

 heavy or deep going causing double-gaited horses to trot, 

 while a change in footing will shift them to the pace. 



The common defects and peculiarities in the way of 

 goiiig, for which any of the preceding factors may be re- 

 sponsible or tend to overcome are: 



Forging. — Striking the ends of the branches or the under 

 surface of the shoe of a forefoot with the toe of the hindfoot. 



Interfering. — Striking the supporting leg at the fetlock 

 with the foot of the striding leg. It is a common result of 

 the horse standing in the base-narrow, toe-wide or splay- 

 footed position. 



Paddling. — An outward deviation in the direction of the 

 stride of the foreleg, resulting from the toe-narrow or pigeon- 

 toed standing position. 



Winging. — Exaggerated paddling in horses that go high, 

 and, consequently, deviate more noticeably. 



Winding. — A twisting of the striding leg, around in front 

 of the supporting leg, after the manner of a rope walker; 

 most commonly seen at the walk in wide-fronted draft 

 horses. 



1 Courtesy of C. W. Gay. 



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