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CHAPTER XXXII. 



Examining for Soundness. 



First Stage. 



Look at the horse while he is standing quietly in his stall, so as 

 to observe if he points with either fore foot ; stands in any con- 

 strained attitude; or shows signs of cribbing, wind-sucking, or 

 weaving. See also if there is anything peculiar in his stable 

 management which might indicate vice or infirmity. For instance, 

 the side of the manger might be covered over with iron network, 

 or some strong-smelling or bitter compound to prevent crib-biting. 

 The horse might have on a side^stick or cradle to prevent him 

 tearing his clothing ; a crib-biting muzzle, or a strap round his 

 neck to stop him from cribbing or wind-sucking; or hobbles, or 

 a log, if he is inclined to kick, or to injure himself by continually 

 pawing the ground with a fore foot; or he may have on his neck 

 marks of a crib-biting strap. Bales of one kind or the other are 

 sometimes used to prevent a horse from kicking his stall or him- 

 self " tO' pieces" during the night Arrangements for pulling the 

 horse round, without getting in reach of his teeth or heels, will be 

 sufficient to put the most careless observer on guard. For this 

 important portion of the examination to be effective, the horse 

 must be perfectly tranquil and cooled down from the effects of 

 recent work, and must not have undergone the process of being 

 " warmed up." 



Second Stage. 



Now make the animal move over from one side of his stall to 

 the other, to see how he bends his hind limbs ; for symptoms of 

 spavin or stringhalt are often best observed at this time. Guard 

 against being deceived by any exaggerated hind action, due to 

 the horse being accustomed to stand in deep straw bedding. 



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