142 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 
There is an extra point to be observed on the of side, 
on account of the mane usually lying over on that side. 
Lift the mane, and look for “ poll-evil,” and of course 
any skin disease. A year ago a most amusing instance 
of the neglect of this precaution and its consequences 
presented itself to my notice. Two most experienced 
horse-dealers, brothers, bought a weight-carrying, good- . 
looking pony at a fair held in Borobridge, in Yorkshire. 
They both noticed that the pony carried its nose out; 
but this they thought arose from the idle habits and 
leisure of the pony, whose only duty it had been to 
carry an old gentleman leisurely about a small farm. 
This pony had a large, long mane; and after getting it 
home, the mane being lifted in search of a most dis- 
agreeable odour, perceived on taking off the bridle, a 
‘‘poll-evil” of enormous size was discovered. Next 
morning I was sent for by the aged father, who was 
using choice language (of its kind), to look at the 
bargain, and found three very large suppurating sinuses. 
In this case the parts had been cleaned at the time of 
sale, and all stench removed, and the mane nicely 
covered over the sore. What a glaring and unusual 
mistake, you may say. Not at all. MHorse-dealers are 
as little infallible as any class I know. I have not 
fished the story yet. On my telling them that it 
would take months to cure this case, they did as they 
had been done by, and took the pony to York Christmas 
show, and sold him to two dealers, partners, from 
London. How extremely careful veterinary surgeons 
