The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-09-07


or heaves.
AdaptabiIlty for Specific Work.--A
horse may possess proper conforma-
ton, be sound, and have good action
yet still not be well adapted for
specific work; consequently 1t is very
essential that he be thoroughly exam
ined at the work for which he is
wanted. If the horse Is to be used
for heavy hauling or draft purposes,
steady pulling under all conditions Is
an Indispensable quality. For harness
use the horse should drive promptly
and freely with an easy, rapid gait and
an alert expression, taking just suffi-
cient hold of the bit to be In hand
without causing the driver to pull on
the lines. The saddle horse should
have an easy, prompt mouth, with
style and graceful carriage.
vices.-Some horses are difficult to
harness and object to taking the bit
In their mouths; others jump when an
attempt Is made to place saddle or
harness on their backs; while still 9th
ers offer great deal of resistance to
having the crupper placed under their
tails. If the resistance is due entirely
to heavily muscled and consequent
ly strong tail 1t may be an indica-
tion of general muscular strength and
tension. While being hitched up or
mounted the horse should stand quiet
ly and should start promptly but quiet
ly on command. For any purpose the
following vices should cause the ami
NAL to be rejected: Baking backing
rearing, kicking, striking with the
forefeet, or running away. Less i'm
portant vices are: Throwing the head
up or down, shying, soaring, breaking
loose when tied, resting one foot upon
the other, grasplng the bit between
the teeth, rolling with the harness on,
or switching the tail over the lines.
Occasionally the last-named vice
causes the horse to kick, in which case
1t becomes dangerous.
General Considerations. = Enlarge
ments or scars (due to deformity, un-
usual mishap, or uncommon disease)
not conforming to any of those dis
cussed should cause a horse to be re-
jected unless the nature Of the cause
and the detriment to the value and
usefulness Of the animal Is self-evi-
dent. Experience gained by examin-
ing large numbers of horses will aid
In quickening the eye and judgment
thereby making 1t possible to perceive
readily any unusual condition, but II
should be remembered that hurried
examination is liable to prove dis
appointment; consequently plenty Of
time should be taken in making the
examination, because time Is mucf
cheaper than money tied up In an un
satisfactory horse. In some countries
nine days are allowed by law to tht
purchaser In which to learn of thu
serious forms Of unsoundness or vic'
In d horse, so that in this country |
would seem fair to allow at leas
a day for fair trial when practicable
If possible, get history of the animal
and while you are about 1t, get his
tory of the person having 1t for sale
SO many defects may be covered up b,
such unfair methods as drugglng tina
1t is a good plan to make purchase
only from those with good regulations
Horses offered at auction sales shoul
be thoroughly examined previous t
their being brought into the ring, o
else they should be tried out in con
pliance with the rules of the sale bt
fore time for settlement.
Finally. 1t is well not to form tn
habit of seeing only the defects, fc
horses, like people, are seldom perfec
consequently in judging them weig
the good qualities against the bad.
horse should be valued by the amour
of service he will perform rather tina
by his minor shortcomings.