Judging Horses 39 
eyes or by closing the eye with the hand and excluding the light 
for a moment; the pupil should dilate to its utmost capacity ; 
when the hand is removed and the light strikes the eye, the pupil 
should rapidly contract to its normal size. This shows that the 
eye is sensitive to light. 
57. Defective hearing. — When the horse’s ears are rigid, it in- 
dicates that the hearing is defective. The animal is unresponsive 
when spoken to, and the eyes are active. Defective hearing is 
more common than supposed. 
58. Poll-evil. — This is a disease located at. the top of the head 
and is indicated by the parts being exceedingly tender. Its causes 
are many, and it is very serious. 
59. Sweenied shoulders. — This is a wasting away of the muscle 
on the outside of the shoulder blade. This can be readily detected, 
as the shoulder appears flat and the blade bare of muscle. 
60. Fistule.— Exceeding tenderness at the withers may in- 
dicate that the horse has fistulz, though at the time there may be 
no external signs. 
61. Splints. — Bony bunches on the inside of the cannon are 
called splints. These must not be confused with the two small 
bones associated with the cannon. Splints located on the back 
part of the leg near the tendon or close to the knee joint are con- 
sidered most objectionable, as they are likely to interfere with the 
action and cause the animal lameness. When located on the side 
they are less likely to cause lameness and are not so objectionable. 
62. Ring-bones. — Bony bunches on the fetlock and pastern are 
called ring-bone. There are two forms, called high and low, 
depending on the location. 
63. Side-bone. — Just at the top of the hoof, on either side, the 
cartilages should be examined to see that they are not ossified, 
forming side-bones. These are common on the front feet only. 
64. Scratches. — These are located on the back of the pastern, 
and can be easily detected; they often cause the horse a great 
deal of pain and annoyance. 
