Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1911-08-11

at all INSCRIPTIONS, the chances are
that the deal will be to the disadvan-
tage of the buyer unless he knows a
great deal about horses and how to
examine them himself. And no cas-
ual examination will do. 1t must be
made in detail and carefully done
at that.
After taking q general look over
the horse you are ready to examine
in detail. Begin with the head. Is the
eye dull or weak, showing little ami
nation? If so, be on your guard. A
good eye is bright, intelligent and
free from specks. By placing the
hand over it for a few moments you
will be able to detect its sensitiveness
to light. Do you find any discharge
of any kind from the eye? If so
some Inflammation may be present.
Try to ascertain the cause. A large
open nostril is desirable. Observe
the color of the lining; to be just
right and healthy looking, it should
be of bright rose pink color and
moist. A healthy nostril is free from
sores, ulcers, pimples and any un-
pleasant odor. You must be ON your
guard at this point. An INSCRIPTIONS
dealer can very easily remove dis
charges and doors by sponging and
washing and you may be deceived.
Always look in the mouth; you have
the tongue, teeth, jaws and glands
to observe. Naturally you consider
the teeth first; you want to be GER
tain of the age. But give the tongue
a second of your time. If it is scar
red and shows rough treatment, a
harsh bit Is likely the cause, due to
its need in driving and handling. En-
larged glands may indicate some
scrofulous or glanderous condition of
the system, SO a careful examination
here will be worth while. A beauti-
full neck and throat is an absolute
beauty in a horse. The skin should
be thin, mellow and soft, and the
hair not too thick or coarse. Look for
poll evil at the top of the neck and
head. See if swellings, Jumps or hard
places are to be found at the sides of
the neck, or underneath joining the
throat.
Passing to the side, look over the
withers for gans or fistulae, the
shoulders for tumors, collar puffs
and swellings. Observe at the same
time if there is any wasting of the
muscles on the outside along the
shoulder. Now the back. Is it right
as to shape? Do you find any evil
dence of sores or ulcers? Look for
these along the sides and belly. Now
stoop bit and look under; do you
find anything different from what
is natural? In males look for tumor
or disease of the generative organs,
and in the case of geldings scrutinize
carefully to see If they are ridge
lings. Before lea ing the body see
II the hips a"e equally developed,
and the animal evenly balanced IN
this region. Both horses and cattle
ore liable to lio injury, one OF the
hips being frequently knocked down.
Make sure that both are sound and
natural.
Now step to the front again for
careful examination of the front legs
and feet Starting with the elbow,
exam Inc for capped elbow. Now the
knee; it should be wide, long and
deep, and at the same time free from
any .bony engagements. The knees
must stand strong. too. Is the leg
straight? Do you observe any tendon
cy of the knee to lean forward out of
line? Just below the knee do you find
any cuts. punches Or scars due to in
reference of the other foot in 'ravel?
Look here also for splints; follow
along withthe fingers to see If pres
ent on the inside of the leg. See
about the cannon. The front should
be smooth-you want no punches or
scars. Now look for sidebones; If
present you will find them Just at
the top of the hoof. They may be on
either side. Sidebones are objection
able and are lateral cartilages chang
ed into a bony structure.
Give the foot considerable atten-
ton. The old law of the ancients,
mo foot, no horse, is certainly true
in our day. You can overlook many
lmperfections in horse, but If the
feet are bad you do not have much
of horse. No defect is more serious
than bone SPAWN. You can, as a rule,
detect this by standing to the front
of the horse, just little to one side
IL there is any question about the
matter, step around to the other side
and view the opposite leg. This COM
IN ri son will Lot Won ont oF ony Ate