16 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



colored discharge suggests glanders, distemper, shipping fever, 

 and similar diseases. This may be only temporary, but one can- 

 not afford to take the risk. 



Impaired vision. — A horse by its action 'will usually betray 

 imperfect eyesight. Blind horses have a peculiar high stepping 

 gait or are inclined to shy readily and often without cause. The 

 ears are exceedingly active, as if trying to aid the eyes. Blind- 

 ness'diaj- be discovered by moving the hand gently in front of the 

 eyes or by closing the eye with the hand and excluding the light 

 for a momeijt; -the pupil should dilate to its utmost capacity; 

 when the hand iS-removed and th^ light strikes the eye, the 

 pupil sljould rapidly contract to itg normal size. This shows 

 that the" eye is sensitive to light. 



" Defective hearing. — When the horse's ears are rigid, it in- 

 (|ieates that the hearing is defective. The animal is uiu-e- 

 sponsive when spoken to, and the eyes are active. Defective 

 hearing is more common than supposed. 

 ' Poll-evil is a disease located at the top of the head and is in- 

 dicated by the parts being exceedingly tender. Its causes are 

 many, and it is very serious. 



Sweenied shoulders is a wasting away of the muscle on the out- 

 side of the shoulder blade. This can be readily detected as 

 the shoulder appears flat and the blade bare of muscle. 



Fistulas. — Exceeding tenderness at the withers may in- 

 dicate that the horse has fistula, though at the time there may 

 be no external signs. v 



Capped elbows. — Sores formed on the elbows while the ani- 

 mal is lying down are unsightly and can readily be seen. 



Unsound knees. — The knee should be examined for bony 

 enlargements, wind-puffs, scars on the front, and speed-cuts. 

 Scars on the front indicate the horse is a stumbler. 



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 



