124 DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



liarness as the case may be, fits properly, or without inflicting 

 pain. They should also know when the animal is fatigued ; 

 when properly fed and groomed ; and when the feet are properly 

 shod. They should also know when disease is present ; or what 

 is of greater importance, when to detect disease in its incipient 

 stages. These are matters not difficult to learn in the extreme 

 sense of the word. Attention and observation will shortly lead 

 the observer to knowledge of the greatest use and importance, 

 not only to his own benefit in a pecuniary point of view, but 

 in all probability, to the increased health and comfort of his 

 stud. Kext to man, the horse is the noblest animal in the 

 world. To improve the capabilities of so noble a creature ; to 

 preserve him as far as possible from the operation of causes 

 deleterious to his health ; and to physically develop his powers 

 to the utmost extent his organization will permit, — is a work 

 alike worthy of the mind and the attention of any man. 



Before an amateur can recognise when a horse is diseased, 

 it is first necessary that he should familiarise himself with the 

 general appearances presented by the animal in a state of 

 health ; such as the appearance of the eye, the skin, and the 

 hair. The clear florid colour of the membrane lining the 

 nostrils, — the soft regular motion of the ribs, during the act of 

 breathing, — the clear, moist, healthy appearance of the mouth 

 and tongue,- — the slow, but regular and full action of the pulse, — 

 the cool state of the feet, — the equable temperature of the 

 skin, — the natural ease with which the animal stands when 

 left alone, together with several other matters of minor impor- 

 tance which, nevertheless, are regarded with interest by every 

 one who may be said to have " a strong aflection for his horse ;" 

 and every well marked change in the character of which, is at 

 once recognised and estimated accordingly. 



