CHOOSING A HOBSE 19 



Interfering. — A horse is said to interfere when he strikes his 

 fore or hind feet together in such a way as to injure them. 



Locating lameness. — When standing, a horse troubled with 

 sore feet will extend them as far as possible. If only one is 

 sore, he puts the lame one forward and is often spoken of as a 

 pointer. When the trouble is in the shoulder, the leg will be 

 flexed at the knee. When in motion, the horse puts the sound 

 foot down with confidence and makes an effort to ease the ailing 

 one by throwing the head up as it strikes the ground. 



Unsound in wind. — There are three common defects in the 

 wind — unsound wind, roaring, and heaves. To detect these, 

 drive the horse rapidly for half a mile, then stop quickly and 

 listen to the breathing by placing the ear near the lungs or by 

 standing near the neck. If the horse gets his breath with 

 difficulty, he is thick winded. If in breathing he wheezes and 

 whistles, he is a roarer. If the breathing is irregular, it is likely 

 he is troubled with heaves. To detect this, observe the flanks 

 for the characteristic double movement, as the air from the lungs 

 seems to be half expelled when the respiration stops for a brief 

 period and then the expulsion of the air is completed. 



If a horse has passed through many hands in a short period, 

 it is safe to conclude that there is some radical blemish or 

 unsoundness that is not easily discovered. 



TYPES OF HORSES 



There are two distinct types of horses. First, is the light 

 type, useful for light work and for speed. This group is further 

 divided into running, trotting, pacing, saddling, coaching, ex- 

 pressing type, and the like. Second, the heavy type for heavy 

 work and is further divided into light draft, medium draft, and 

 heavy draft type. Horses belonging to the first type are usually 

 designated light horses; those belonging to the second, draft 

 horses. As the form or conformation best adapted for one is 

 different from that of the other, we cannot find both united in 



