The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-06-08

usually be carried forward. To add
to the appearance they should be Of
delicate texture, taper to graceful
points, and be covered with fine hair.
Topped ears are very unsightly and
many tricks are used to cover up such
defects, such as tying together with
| fine thread the ear nets which the
horse may be wearing, or the ears
themselves may be tied together, the
hairs Of the foretop hiding the thread.
Slight operations are also performed
with the object of remedying this de-
| feet.
| PoIl.-The poll should be examined
for signs Of poll evil, disease caused
by bruisIng the top of the head. In
Illumination 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 1t Is
thought to be cured. It often leaves
ugly scars after healing.
Neck.--A clean-cut throat latch on
a crested neck of good length gives
horse style and beauty OF outline and
consequently enhances his value. In
mature stations the development of
q 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 1t
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
a large heart and for lungs capable Of
handling maximum quantity Of air.
Straight shoulders favor a low, short.
stubby action of the front feet. A low
carriage of the head. with heavy IT.
responsive mouth are often associated
with a long back and a correspondingly
short underline, whereas the opposite
proportions namely short back and
a 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 consttu-
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 q
shoulder Is not materially changed, no
matter how hard the pull. Sharp, thin
prominent withers add depth and
wearing qualities to the shoulder
in the saddle horse aid In holding the
saddle In place.
Examine the withers for 1stula, .
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 sometime:
appears to be of very minor impor
lance, but the Illustration shows thu
large amount of tissue that may be
come involved. Fistula should not bt
confused with collar sores, which are
often found on the top of the neck JUS
in front of the withers. Collar sore.
also often occur on the sides of thu
neck. When not of too long standin:
they heal readily, If on properl,
formed shoulders. Calloused-thickenes
spots resulting from old collar sor,
again unless the collar can I've KEEP
from pressing on them. In so-callet
sweenied shoulders. the muscles have
atrophied or shrunken, and horses witt
such defects are practically valueles'
for work. for the time being, at least
Attempts are sometimes made to hid'
. this trouble by applying irritants or b,
blowing air beneath the skin, giving
the normal full appearance. Atrophiet
shoulder muscles may recover thel
size and development by the remova
of lameness which arises from injur,
or inflammation below the knee.
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