The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-12-10
Want Only
Dark Horses

noC0uIly twenty-five Cur lOt.U6 VI
cavalry horses were shipped abroad
from Lexington, KY, intended for the
French cavalry. The French inspector
sre now In Kentucky and another
equally large shipment will be sent
forward in a few days. Not all Of
the horses are being bought in Ken
fucky, one load having recently ar
rived from Atlanta, Ca. while $50
head were bought in Cincinnati.
In accordance with the custom adopt
I'D some time ago by the cavalry do
Yartments Of various countries, no
light colors, such as white or gray,
aro accepted, the lightest colors in
the lot being some dark roans. The
ondors of practically all Of the horses
bought are bay, black or brown.
All inspector of horses bought for
military purposes has the following
to say about fit and unit horses:
-'Lameness Of any kind should be
condemned; transport horses and
ssnners showing sidebones, if they
have good feet and open heels. should
be passed If, going sound. Ringbones,
except under exceptional circum-
Atances, should be rejected. Small
feet and contracted heels should not
be looked upon with favor, and un-
usually small feet may arouse in the
mind of the examiner suspicious of
navicular disease. Poll evil and fistu-
fous withers for various reasons
should not be passed, while sore
hacks and horses. with rash skins
are always source of trouble. An
animal suffering from broken wind,
even In the early stages, must be
condemned-a trying campaign doing
little ito improve his digestion, the
Derversion Of which is usually the
forerunner of emphysema
Roarers Not Accepted
"A pronounced roarer. particularly
OF the charger type, must be reject
I'D; a slight whistle may be passed.
Exhibiting and wind-sucking are con-
ditions which must be left to the,
discretion of the individual examiners.
Campaigning in the open may largely
cure or improve both conditions. Shiv-
ertng ard link" can not be too
severely condemned, and every horse
should tie carefully tested to detect
this condition. Bone spawn may form
. debatable point, with many practi-
tioners-if the hook is a good shape,
the horse fully matured, the spawn
situated we'll back, and the joint
well flexed in action one would be
greatly tempted to pass him. AS re-
CARDS curbs, if they are firm and well
set, and the hooks not sickle shape,
the animal should be passed, and NOR
% if the curb has been fired. Tho
general conformation Of the feet and
the consistence and quality of the
horn should be carefully noted.
''Such catching diseases as the spe-
cffic equine fevers and the contag-
fous skin affections should, needless
to add, be promptly rejected,
''Every saddle horse carries vala-
able life on his back, be he officer
or trooper, and surefootedness is an
essential qualifications horse hav-
ing broken his knees once is invar-
fably an indication of some weakness,
although the would-be seller may
= hasten to explain his horse fell as
the result of fright due to bird
-&luttering in the hedge. On principle
he should be rejected.
Catching Diseases Ear
1.-THE questions of age and condi-
ton are points which are Of more
concern to the purchasing officer than
the veterinary surgeon, but as VIC
are asked to state the age of every
horse it may not be out of place to
Allude to it here. Too young horses,
by reason of dentition troubles and
consequent malnutrition, the increased
liability to colt disease, and the fact
that the limbs and joints are not
matured, should be condemned On
the contrary, 'hard-toothed' horses
4 sound at the time of examination
are more likely to remain sound un
der exacting conditions. There are
some #4-year-olds, in forward con
Aition q and fit, we'll fitted to &C
through-a campaign, and should BIZ
accepted"
No White Steeds
'All horses purchased for army
use in the future will be sorrels, bay.
and blacks. Against white and light
colored horses, the color line ha,
been drawn. The flower Of the Ara
bian stables will be frowned upon. i
reports be true that the fierce East