The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-03-28

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF AgrCultureD
A wide chest provides abundant
room for the heart and lungs, conse-
quently a horse with such conforma-
tlon would be likely to have a strong
constitution. Excessive width In the
chest, however with the forelegs set
too near the outside Is liable TO cause
the horse to paddle with his front feet.
On the other hand, narrow chest is
generally associated with a weak con-
stitution and forelegs set too close to-
gether, predisposipg the horse to
strike these limbs together when NOV
ing. Scars on the chest are not gem
orally any more Objectionable than
their dishguring appearance.
The structural examination of the
forelimbs begins with the forearm,
which should show strong muscular
development on the outside just below
its junction with the shoulder. For
speed IL should be much longer than
the cannon. The kneecap should be
broad. Sears on the inside of the knee
bers in moving. The cannon in which
the tendons and bones show promi-
nently beneath the skin will stand
hard wear, because the tissues are of
dense, tough character. The fetlock
joint should be large enough to de-
note strength without being coarse.
Pasterns that are moderately long and
that slope at an angle of about 40
degrees with the ground aid in produc-
ing elastic, sprlngy action which alb
serbs conclusions or jars much better
than short, upright pasterns. Pasterns
too long and too near the horizontal
are weak. The foot that is not too
wide or too narrow and long, but
which is fairly concave, with the frog
and bars prominent will have durabil-
ity. Low or contracted heels are more
| liable to become unsound than are fair
ly deep and open heels. Cracks and
many nail holes indicate poor quality
of the ho0f.
The following are unsoundness and
| blemlshes of the forellmbs: Shoe
| boils, which are classed as blemishes
are caused by the horse lying down
cow fashion, thus pressing the elbow
/ with the shoe. The elbows are some
times irritated by the girth, which car
easily be padded or properly placed
| thus avoiding a continuance Of the
trouble. The forearm is usually free
from unsoundness, but 1t may be blem'
ished by injuries such as wire cuts
Sears on the front of the knees would
lead one to suspect stumbler.
Bony prominences known ms spllnts
found on the inside of the cannon just
below the knee, may cause lamenesS
when first developing or when close
enough TO the knee to interfere witt
its movement. Spunts frequently dis
appear from young horses. The front o!
the cannon may be full, or the tendon'
Mt the back may be enlarged; thes'
are conditions brought about by train
ing and racing and are known ~
bucked skins and bowed tendons re
spectively. They lncapacitate a hors'
for fast work. The scars often asso
ciated with these conditions are due t
the firing room. Wind pufrs are du'
TO fast or continuous road work, an'
while they do not decrease a horse
Immediate usefulness, they show tina
the animal has had considerable use
II the fetlock joint Is unduly large /
is more or less unsound. This enlarge
ment may be permanent, from an oil
injury, or 1t may be due to hard or fas
work followed by lack of exercise, o
to disease. The slight fullness tina
promptly disappears with exercise !
about as Objectionable as wind puffs
Interfering when associated with fore
legs set close together or with toein
cut considerably depreciates the valu