204 JUDGING HORSES 



below. Horses that have been afflicted with this trouble 

 show scars, and object to being handled about their heads. 

 Fistula of the Withers. — This trouble, of the same gen- 

 eral nature as poll evil, is located on top of the withers or at 

 the top of the shoulders. Horses that have been affected 

 with fistula generally show scars. The neck may show a 

 depression and is often sensitive to the touch. 



Heaves. — This disease affects the lungs of the horse and 

 is generally noticeable after eating too greedily of bulky hay 

 or dusty feeds, or after a heavy pull or violent exercise. 

 The affected horse breathes in a pecuUar fashion, most notice- 

 able in the region of the flank, the air being expelled from 

 the lungs in two short jerks. Horses with this disease are 

 generally shorter of breath than are sound horses, and cough 

 after exertion. 



Roaring. — Roaring is a disease which affects the larynx 



or windpipe. Wlien the horse is exercised at a rapid rate or 



worked under a heavy pull, loud breathing or roaring results. 



Ringbone. — Ringbone affects the pastern bone of the 



horse, and appears as an enlargement encircling this bone. 



Sidebones. — Sidebones affect the 

 feet of the horse. The lateral car- 

 tilages beneath the skin at the hoof 

 head above the heel become ossified, 

 or turn to bone. Horses with nar- 

 row feet, or low or too prominent at 

 the heels, are most susceptible to 



Fig. 77. -A prominent side- ^, . . , , ,-, ,. ... , ., 



bone. The cross marks the thlS trOUblC. i:^redlSpOSltlOn tO Side- 

 location of this defect. , • • i -^ i i • 1 -ii 



bones is inherited, and animals with 

 them should not be used for breeding purposes. 



Thoroughpin. — This is found just above the hock of the 

 horse. It appears as a swelhng or filling between the lower 



