The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-03-19

1, muzzle; 2, face; 3, forehead: L. pom;
s, crest; 6, cheek; Z, lower jaw; g. throat:
3. neck; 10, withers; II, point OF shoulder.
II, breast; 10, elbow; IA, forearm; 49, knee;
l6. cannon or shank; IL, fetlock: IS, pas
tern; 10, coronet; 20, foot: Il. girth: a,
belly; %, flank; "a, back; Is. loin, &C.
haunch or hip; q, Group: %, dock: q,
thigh or quarter; 3d.. lower thigh or gas
kin; 81, hook; 80, heel
imal that is either understood or over
shot, as horsemen express It, the lat
ter frequently being called a parrot
mouth.
While in front of the horse look
straight down at his front legs to
see If there are any punches, knee
caps or splints.
A splint is located anywhere be-
tween the knee and the ankle, and
is found only on the front legs. It
takes the form of q bony substance
on the inside of the leg. It seldom
causes lameness unless near a joint
but 1t is liable to give trouble and is
to be avoided in making a purchase
Look over the body of the horse
to see that there are no ruptures
then examine for soundness of wind
1t is not always possible to avoid
mistakes in this direction. Watch the
flank for unnatural or jerking action.
Sometimes a horse with heaves shows
4 it only in the nostrils when not ex-
ercising. The breathing should be
regular, anything of a labored char
acter is suspicious.
Next take position directly oppo-
site the hind quarters and look for
curb, ringbone and thoroughpin. A
curb is known by an enlargement Of
the back part of the hook joint A
ringbone is bony enlargement just
about the hoof and may appear upon
either front OF hind legs.
A SPAWN comes on the inside of the
leg below the hook joint, hard bony
substance more or less percepuble A
thoroughpin is located directly in the
hook joint and is known by a small
puff In the skin on opposite sides. BY
pressing the finger over the spot on
the outside It may be felt on the in
side of the leg, and vice versa. In
later stages it becomes hardened.
To one familiar with handling
horses it is not even necessary to pass
the hand over the different parts TO
detect these evidences of unsoundness
although the inexperienced may find
1t help to do so.
Look for shoe boil on the elbow
or upper extremity of the front leg
These are really blemishes rather than
unsoundness. the same being true Of
wind puffs found just above the
ankles.
Above all be sure the feet are per
feet The saying, mo foot no horse,
is a true one
Be sure there are no quarter cracks
In the hoof. Let the heel be fairly
high and the foot well cupped, whicl
means that it should have a concav'
under surface A black hoof is consid
cred harder than a white one, although
there are many white hoofs whicl
wear well.
Lastly, take position behind tn
animal and notice his hips. The,
should be exactly alike In outline
See that the tail is carried straight
Like the shoe boil and the wind pul
this is only a blemish but detract
somewhat from the animals valu
commercially. For the same reaso
, note the way he walks.
9 After all these instructions hay
9 been followed out go back to the hea
; and look him over on the other sid'
Q There are many little tricks {
characteristics certain horses have, q
: well as peculiarities of disposition
which can only be discovered by us
5 The above, however. viii enable Ii
I buyer to detect actual soundness
1t exists.