Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-05-08
FIsTuLA OF LONG STANDING.

for signs of poll evil, disease caused
by bruising the top of the head In
| tiammation in this region, usually ac-
companied by discharge of pus, would
lead one to suspect this disease, which
is often slow to yield to treatment and
which may break out again after it is
thought to be cured. 1t often leaves
ugly scars after healing.
Neck.-A clean-cut throat latch on
a crested neck of good length gives a
horse style and beauty of outline and
consequently enhances his value. In
mature stations the development of
full crest is an indication of mascu-
| Unity. Evidences of bleeding, indi-
eating previous bad health, should be
looked for in the jugular vein, and it
is also advisable to lay back the name
| and look for scars. The neck should
| join the shoulders smoothly.
Shoulders.-Short shoulders do not
generally indicate sufficient room for
large heart and for lungs capable of
handling maximum quantity of air.
Straight shoulders favor low, short,
| stubby action of the front feet. A low
carriage of the head, with a heavy ir-
| responsive mouth are often associated
with long back and a CORRESPONDENCE
short underline, whereas the opposite
| proportions, namely, short back and
long underline, are desirable. The
conclusions or jars on the front legs
resulting from their striking the
ground are considerably relieved by
sloping shoulders, by not having this
effect, tend to promote early unsound-
ness of these limbs. Strong constitu-
ton, endurance, good front action, and
style are associated with deep, well-de-
velOped shoulders. For draft purposes
the shoulders should have pronounced
offsets, so that the face of the collar
will have plenty of bearing surface.
The position of the collar on such a
shoulder is not materially changed, no
matter how hard the pull. Sharp, thin,
prominent Withers add depth and
wearing qualities to the shoulder.
Shoulders that run well into the back
in the saddle horse aid in holding the
saddle in place.
Examine the withers for fistula, a
disease similar to poll evil, except that
it is differently located. Fistula is
thought to result from bruising the
withers, the resulting Inflammation
and pus being slow to yield to treat
ment, so that cases are often of very
long standing. The disease sometimes
appears to be of very minor impor-
lance, but the illustration shows the
large amount of tissue that may be
come involved. Fistula should not be
confused with collar sores, which are
often found on the top of the neck just
in front of the withers. Collar sores
also often occur on the sides of the
neck. When not of too long standing
they heal readily, if on properly
formed shoulders. Calloused-thickened
spots resulting from old collar sore
again unless the collar can be kept
from pressing on them. In so-called
sweenied shoulders, the muscles have
| atrophied or shrunken, and horses with
such defects are practically valueless
for work, for the time being, at least
Attempts are sometimes made to hide
this trouble by applying irritants or by
blowing air beneath the skin, giving
the normal full appearance. Atrophied
shoulder muscles may recover their
size and development by the removal
of lameDess which arises from injury
or Inflammation below the knee.