16 MANUAL OF FARM 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 may 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 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. 



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

 dicates that the hearing is defective. The animal is unre- 

 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. 



Fistula. — Exceeding tenderness at the withers may in- 

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

 be no external signs. 



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 



