BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE.
The opening of the horse-market is not announced to ladies by cards
of invitation, though such an innovation on the old-fashioned
methods might prove a great success in the hands of a skilful
dealer. Nevertheless, as soon as spring opens, all over the United
States, ladies are “shopping” for horses, but by no means in their
usual jaunty and self-confident way, for their eyes, which do them
such good service at the silk or lace counter, take on a timid and
hesitating expression in the presence of this unwonted problem. The
acquisition of a saddle-horse by a young girl is usually a long
and complicated operation, in the course of which her hopes are
alternately raised and depressed day by day, to be at last very likely
disappointed altogether. It often begins at breakfast-time, somewhat
in the following fashion: “Dear papa, don’t you think I might have a
saddle-horse this season? Eleanor B----’s uncle has given her a beauty,
and we could ride together; and you know that is just the sort of
exercise the doctor said would be good for me.” The father hesitates,
and few fathers there are who do not in their hearts long to grant the
request; but he is a very busy man, and does not feel as if he could
take any more cares upon his shoulders; and very likely he knows little
about horses, and really has not the slightest idea how to set about
such a purchase; and his mind misgives him as he remembers what he has
heard of the tricks of dealers. So he says, “Oh, my dear, I don’t see
how we can manage it. We should be cheated, to begin with, and pay
twice as much as he is worth, and he would run away and throw you off;
and then he would be always sick, and finally fall lame, and would have
to be given away before the season is over.” This is the critical point
of this part of the little family transaction, and if the daughter has
nothing more convincing to offer in reply than some vague statement
that she is sure she sees plenty of good horses in the street, and that
she does not see why her horse should be sick any more than any one
else’s, and that there must be plenty of good men to take care of him
to be had at low wages, then probably her case is lost. But suppose
that she replies: “Oh yes, papa, I _know_ a horse that will do _nicely_
and can’t be sickly for he has worked all summer and not lost _a day_
and he is eight years old and so has eaten all his wild oats by this
time and he isn’t a very pretty color but then we can buy him cheaper
for that reason and I don’t care so much for color as I do for _shape_
and he is _very_ well formed indeed his legs and feet are excellent and
he has a broad shoulder and a pretty neck and head and we gave him
a long drive the other day and he never missed _a step_ and he isn’t
afraid of anything and I drove him fast up a steep hill and jumped out
at the top to give him a bunch of clover and took the opportunity to
listen to his breathing and to feel his pulse and there is nothing the
matter with _his_ heart or wind I assure you and I will promise to go
to the stable once a day to see him.” Then the chances are that, after
laughing at the long sentence without a stop, and telling her she is a
runaway filly herself, papa will say, “Well, suppose we take a look at
this wonderful animal; we are not obliged to buy him, you know, unless
we please, and I don’t say what I may decide finally,” and her case is
won. To be able, however, to make the reply above supposed, simple as
it sounds, indicates a very unusual amount of observation for a young
girl.
There are many ladies who can at a glance tell real point lace from
artificial, be the imitation never so good; but there are comparatively
few who know the points of a horse, or can detect any but the most
glaring defects or blemishes. The reason is simply want of practice,
for the difference between the well-made and the ill-made horse, or
between the sound animal and the spavined or foundered one, is far
greater than that between the two pieces of lace above mentioned, which
to most masculine eyes would appear exactly alike. With her superior
delicacy of observation and quickness of perception, a woman ought to
be, other things supposed equal, a better judge of horses than a man,
and there must surely be a great many who, if they really believed
this, would think it worth their while to master the small vocabulary
of technical terms in which the information they require is always
couched, and such would speedily find their reward in the opening
of a new and interesting field of research. To begin with, how few
ladies so much as know the names of the different parts of the animal!
Head, legs, and body, eyes, ears, and tail, are about all the words
in the feminine dictionary of horse lore, and whether the pasterns
are not a disease of colts, the coronet a part of a bridle, and the
frog a swelling in the throat, my lady knoweth not. A half-hour,
however, given to the illustration on the following page, will remove
once for all this preliminary difficulty, and will open the way to a
consideration of the proper form and motion of the parts of which the
names are here given:
PARTS AND “POINTS” OF THE HORSE, ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.
_Arm, or True Arm_ (8, 8).--Extends from the point of the shoulder (29)
to the elbow (10). It should be long.
_Back._--This is one of the four parts which, according to Arab saying,
should be short.
_Back Sinew._--The powerful muscle back of the cannon-bone. It should
be free from contact with the bone.
_Barrel, or Chest._--Should be roomy, as not only the lungs, but all
the organs of digestion, are contained in it.
_Belly._--This is one of the four parts which the Arab proverb says
must be long.
_Breast, or Bosom._--Should be deep, but not too broad, or speed will
be diminished.
_Cannon-bone_ (11).--The strong oval bone stretching between the
knee and fetlock-joint in the fore-leg, and between the hock and
fetlock-joint in the hind-leg.
_Chin Groove._--The place just above the swell of the lower lip, in
which the curb-chain should lie.
_Coronet_ (14).--A cartilaginous band encircling the top of the hoof.
_Crest._--The upper part of the back of the neck.
_Croup_ (18).--Strictly speaking, the upper part of hind-quarters
between hip and tail, but in a general way taken for that part of the
body back of the saddle.
_Curb-place_ (29).--A part of the hind-leg, six or eight inches below
the point of the hock, where “curbs,” or enlargement of the back sinew
resulting from strain, are to be looked for.
_Ear._--Neither too long nor very short.
_Elbow_ (10).--Should not be nearly under the point of the shoulder,
but considerably back of it, and should neither be turned out nor
pressed against the ribs.
_Eye._--Should be clear and full, and of a gentle expression.
_Fetlock._--The tuft of hair at the back of the pastern-joint. When
thick and coarse it indicates common blood.
_Fetlock-joint_ (12).--Is between the shank and the pastern, and is the
same as pastern-joint.
_Flank_ (22).
_Forearm_ (9).--Should be long and muscular.
_Forehead._--The broader, the more sense and courage. The average of
six thorough-bred English horses was nine and a half inches.
_Frog._--The triangular piece in centre of bottom of hoof.
_Gaskin, or Lower Thigh_ (23).--Should be strong and long, reaching
well down. Measured from the stifle-joint to the point of hock should
be twenty-eight inches in a well-bred horse of fifteen hands and
three-quarters.
_Girth_ (30, 30).--Gives approximately the capacity of the lungs.
_Heel._--Should not to be too high or contracted, that is, drawn
together.
_Hip._--Should be broad, with powerful muscles.
_Hip-joint_ (20).--Is not always easily discovered by an amateur.
_Hock_ (25).--One of the most important of the points of the horse;
should be large, clean--that is, without any rough protuberances on the
bone--flat, and “with a good clean point standing clear of the rest of
the joint.”
_Hoof._--Deep, like a cup; not flat, like a saucer.
_Jaw._--Should be wide up toward the socket, to give room for windpipe,
and permit of a graceful carriage of head.
_Knee._--Can hardly be too large. Looked at from in front, should
appear much wider than the leg, and should stretch out backward into a
sharp edge, called the pisiform-bone.
_Loins_ (17).--Broad, muscular, and arched slightly upward.
_Lower Thigh._--See “Gaskin” (23).
_Mane._--When thick and coarse, indicates inferior blood.
_Muzzle_ (4).--Should be small, but with large nostril. A coarse muzzle
indicates low breeding.
_Nostril._--Open and prominent.
_Pastern_ (13).--The short oblique bone between the fetlock and hoof.
Should not be straighter than sixty, nor lower than forty-five degrees
to the ground.
_Pastern-joint_ (12).--Same as fetlock-joint.
_Pisiform-bone_ (16).--At the back of the knee.
_Point of the Hock_ (26).
_Point of the Shoulder_ (29).--The lower end of the shoulder-blade, to
which is jointed the true arm.
_Poll._--The top of the head.
_Quarters_ (21).--Should be muscular.
_Ribs._--Should be well arched, and come up close to the hip.
_Shoulder_ (7, 7).--Should be long and oblique.
_Spavin Place_ (27).--Should be free from bony enlargement.
_Stifle-joint_ (24).--Corresponds to the human knee.
_Tail._--Not set on too high, but yet carried gracefully.
_Thigh, or True Thigh._--Reaches from hip-joint to stifle. Should be
long to give speed.
_Thrapple, or Throttle_ (5).--Upper part of throat.
_True Arm_ (8, 8).--See “Arm.” To a careless observer it appears to
form part of the shoulder.
_Withers_ (6).--It is the height of the withers which gives the height
of the horse.
[Illustration: PARTS AND “POINTS.”]
To be a “good judge of a horse” is indeed an accomplishment as rare as
it is desirable; but while it cannot be taught by word of mouth or pen,
yet a few principles may be acquired which will be of great assistance
in cultivating the eye. Even if the judgment be never so thoroughly
formed as to be a safe guide unaided in purchasing, yet a great deal
of pleasure may be derived from noting the comparative excellences
of the really fine horses constantly to be seen in this country; and
there is no reason in the world why a lady’s opinion on this subject
should continue to weigh as little as it has generally done hitherto. A
graceful neck and an air of spirit usually win the feminine suffrages,
yet often co-exist with a long back, spindle-shanks, and a chest both
shallow and narrow. Nevertheless, a good neck is an excellent thing,
and so is a small head, especially if it have a wide forehead; but next
look to see if there is also (to use a horsey expression), “a short
back and a long belly,” a deep chest, a sloping shoulder, and legs
broad and long above the knee and hock, but broad and short below.
The Arabs have a proverb that “there should be four points of a
horse long, four short, and four broad.” The long are the neck, the
forearm, the thigh, and the belly; the short are the back, the pastern,
the tail, and the ear; the broad are the forehead, the chest, the
croup, and the limbs. The head should be small and bony; that of an
English thorough-bred of fifteen and three-quarter hands will measure
twenty-two to twenty-four inches in length, with the forehead eight to
ten inches broad, the face dishing below the eyes. The withers should
be high, the shoulder as broad as possible--not fleshy, but bony--and
lying at an angle of about forty-five degrees. The chest should be
broad and deep, to give room for lungs and heart. The knees should be
broad, the hoofs large, and not flat, but deep.
The reasons for some of the above recommendations may be made clearer
by a rough comparison between the frame of the horse and that of
man. For instance, the shoulder of the former, from the withers to
its forward point at the joint, is equivalent to the shoulder-blade
and collar-bone of the latter, and a broad shoulder is as sure an
indication of strength in the one as in the other. If the horse is
“short above and long below,” it gives him a carriage similar to that
of a man with a full, broad chest, who holds his head high and his
shoulders back.
The knee of the horse corresponds to the human wrist, and his _hock_,
or “back knee,” as the children call it, to our heel. The shank of the
fore-leg, then, or the part between the knee and fetlock, corresponds
to the hand, and the hoof and pastern to the fingers; while the shank
of the hind-leg, or the part between hock and fetlock, corresponds
to our foot, the hoof and pastern being the toes. The horse may thus
be said to walk upon the tips of his fingers and toes, and it will
readily be seen why the leg weakens in proportion as the pastern and
shank lengthen. The arm proper of the horse is very short and almost
concealed from view, reaching from the forward point of the shoulder to
the elbow, which is close against the side.
The more oblique the shoulder, the greater the power of this arm to
throw the forearm forward, so as to support the body in the gallop,
and in coming down from a leap. A straight shoulder is adapted for
pulling loads, but is not fit for the saddle, except upon level roads,
becoming positively dangerous in broken ground. The two upper members
of the hind-leg, reaching from the hip to the hock, are together
commonly called the thigh, as the thigh proper, which stretches from
the hip to the stifle-joint, is very short and almost concealed
from observation. The stifle-joint, which corresponds to our knee,
lies close against the flank. Read the description, to some extent
traditional, of the wonderful mare Swallow, in Kingsley’s “Hereward
the Wake.” She was evidently not from Arab stock, with her big ugly
head; but horses--like men and women--of extraordinary strength, and
beauty too, are sometimes happened upon in the most unlikely places.
Indeed, in many an ungraceful form there is stored up an amount of
vital energy which explains the saying that one can find “good horses
of all shapes.” Nevertheless, the presumption is always in favor of the
well-shaped animal, and the acknowledged type of equine beauty is the
English thorough-bred. This is of pure Arab blood, but so improved by
many generations of careful breeding and training that it now excels
not only all other European and Oriental races but the modern Arab
himself, that is considered to be, weight for weight, twenty-five per
cent. stronger than other breeds. One invariable mark of Arab blood,
by-the-bye, is a high and graceful carriage of the tail. The eye should
be kind and quiet, that of an Arab very gentle, even sleepy, when at
rest, but full of fire and animation when in motion.
“The relative proportions of and exact shape desirable in each of the
points described varies considerably in the several breeds. Thus, when
speed and activity are essential, an oblique shoulder-blade is a _sine
quâ non_, while for heavy harness it can hardly be too upright. _There
are some elements, however, which are wanted in any horse, such as big
hocks and knees, flat legs with large sinews, open jaws_ (that is, with
the lower jaw-bones wide apart), _and full nostrils_.”
It is well, after taking a general look at a horse and getting an
impression of him as a whole, to divide him up mentally into sections,
and examine these in detail one after the other. Taking first the head,
which should be bony, not fleshy, remember that the more brain the more
“horse sense.” Next look at the neck, which should be neither too thick
nor too long, but connecting head and shoulders by a graceful sweep.
Then the forequarters, observing that the shoulder-blade and true arm
are both long, well supplied though not loaded with muscle, and join
each other at the point of the shoulder at a rather sharp angle. Then
the “middle-piece,” which should be rounded in the barrel, arched
slightly in the loin, “short above and long below,” and well ribbed
up towards the hip. Next the hind-quarters, then the legs, knees,
hocks, and feet, observing that the knees are firm, the cannon-bones
and pastern are flat and strong, and that the back sinew is strong and
stands free from the bone.
Now have the horse set in motion, and observe him first from one
side, then from the other, and then from behind, noting the carriage
and movements of the different parts in the order above given. This
examination is practically the more important of the two.
Let no one suppose that mere verbal instruction, however judicious and
elaborate, will, without practice, make a good judge of horse-flesh any
more than it will of Brussels point-lace. All it is here intended to do
is to aid in training the eye, which must be constantly exercised upon
whatever specimens may come before it, comparing them mentally with
one another, and noting their defects and qualities whether of form or
of motion. It will soon be found that such observations, particularly
when relating to the motions of the horse, have a fascination
peculiarly their own, and open a new and wide field of amusement.
In examining a horse a lady cannot of course usually make the thorough
inspection personally which would be necessary to warrant his limbs
and wind perfectly sound, but she can, by taking a little time to it,
form an opinion which will be very nearly correct. She should first
master the vocabulary at the end of this chapter, which will give her
an idea what defects to be on the lookout for, and just where to seek
for them; and she should cultivate her eye at every opportunity by
scanning critically every horse she sees--or, to be more moderate, say
one or two a day--endeavoring to detect a “spavin” or “curb,” or what
not, which the owner does not suspect or perhaps shuts his eyes to.
Then, when a horse is brought up for her approval, let her take her own
time, refuse to be hurried or humbugged, but, as already suggested,
look him over from all sides, at rest and in motion, and finally _get
him on trial for a week_. This last precaution is the most valuable
of all, and worth, as “Stonehenge” says, ten per cent. on the price
of the animal, and it can very often be obtained by the simple offer
of paying for his services in case he is not purchased; indeed, some
of the most successful New York City dealers grant this privilege
to any responsible customer as a matter of course. To return to our
inspection: First take a side view from a little distance, observing
that he stands perpendicularly on all four legs, bearing equal weight
on each; any “pointing,” or putting forward of a fore-foot to relieve
it of its share of weight, being indicative of tenderness if not
lameness. Notice the size, shape, and relative proportion of the
different parts, and scrutinize them carefully for swellings, or for
weakened or deformed joints. Then do the same from before, then from
behind. Now have him led past you, first at a walk, then at a slow
trot, insisting that the groom shall not take him by the headstall, but
by the end of the halter, so as to leave him free to nod his head if
he pleases. Now have him saddled and bridled, and all his paces shown,
finishing with a smart gallop long enough to sweat him well, after
which listen carefully to his breathing, which should be noiseless;
observe that the heaving of the flanks is regular and not spasmodic,
and that the beating of the heart is not violent or irregular. During
your week of trial take some disinterested person with you to serve
as witness in case of accident or misconduct, and work the horse hard
every day, so as to be sure that he does not lose his appetite when
fatigued, but being careful not to injure his feet by galloping on
hard roads, or to let him slip or strain himself in any way. Remember
the oft-quoted words of the English stable-man: “It ain’t the speed
that ’urts the ’orse; it’s the ’ammer, ’ammer, ’ammer on the ’ard
’igh-road.” After your first ride, leave the saddle on for twenty
minutes with the girths slackened, and next morning, before putting it
on again, examine the back carefully for any soreness or puffy spot,
and if such exist, abstain from riding until it has quite disappeared,
for a day of patience now is better than a week after a saddle-gall
has become fairly established. The saddle, of course, should fit the
horse well, and there should always be a free space along above the
backbone and withers.
[Illustration: THE SORT OF HORSE TO BUY.]
The cut on the preceding page shows a saddle-horse of the very best
form for a lady’s use.
The color of a horse is an important factor in the price, except in
the case of animals of extraordinary qualities; and although different
persons have their special preferences, yet probably the order of the
following list will give the average taste of the horse-buying public:
1. Blood bay with black points; that is, with mane, tail, and legs
from the knee downward black.
2. Rich chestnut.
3. Rich brown.
4. Common bay with black points.
5. Common chestnut.
6. Dark dapple gray.
7. Full black.
8. Light bay with brown legs.
9. White.
10. Common gray.
11. Brownish-black.
12. Sorrel.
When your decision is finally made, obtain (from the person selling) a
warranty, which had better be written upon the bill itself, giving the
height, age, and color of the horse, and stating that he is sound,
kind, goes well under the saddle and in single or double harness, and
is afraid of nothing.
The vices which in the eye of the law make a horse returnable are
Biting, Cribbing, Kicking, Rearing when dangerous, and Shying when
dangerous.
In estimating the height of a horse it is convenient to remember that
fifteen hands make exactly five feet--a “hand” being four inches, or a
third of a foot.
To aid the inexperienced we give a cut showing a horse, originally of
high spirit but faulty organization, broken down by ill usage, and
also append a list of the various defects and ailments which every
horse-owner ought to know something about.
LIST OF DISEASES AND DEFECTS.
[Those printed in small capitals constitute UNSOUNDNESS in the eye of
the law.]
_Acclimation._--Horses removed from one part of the country to another
have usually a period of indisposition, often of severe illness, and
always for some time require more than ordinary care. It is well,
therefore, not to buy a Western horse in the Atlantic States until he
has been at least a month in his new surroundings.
_Apoplexy._--Sometimes called “sleepy staggers.” Begins with
drowsiness, passing into insensibility, with snoring respiration, and
ending in death.
BLINDNESS.--Often comes on gradually. Eyes of a bluish-black are
thought suspicious, as is inflammation of ball or lid, or cloudiness of
pupil.
BLIND STAGGERS.--See “Megrims” and “Staggers.”
BOG-SPAVIN.--A soft swelling on the inner side of the hock-joint
towards the front. It is caused by the formation of a sac containing
synovial fluid which has oozed out of the joint. The result usually of
brutality. Incurable.
BLOOD-SPAVIN.--A swelling in nearly the same place caused by an
aneurism or sac of arterial blood. Incurable. Very rare.
BONE-SPAVIN.--A swelling caused by a bony growth on the inside of the
hock-joint towards the front. It produces lameness, which sometimes
passes off temporarily after a few minutes’ work. Sometimes curable.
This is what is usually meant by spavin.
_Bots._--Caused by the larvæ of the bot-fly, which cling to the lining
of the stomach by their two hooks till after several months they reach
maturity and pass out with the droppings. They seem to do little harm,
and should be left alone, as they cannot be destroyed by any medicine
safe for a horse to take.
BREAKING DOWN.--A rupture of the tendons of the leg causing the
fetlock-joint to give way downward. Incurable.
_Broken Knee._--Indicated by white or bare spots, showing that the
horse has been down, and is presumably a stumbler.
BROKEN WIND.--Accompanied by a husky cough, and indicated by heaving
flanks and forcible double respiration after exercise. Incurable.
_Capped Hock._--A soft movable swelling on point of hock, caused by a
bruise, usually got in kicking.
CATARACT.--Opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye.
_Chapped Heels._--Always the result of neglect. Often accompanied by
fever and constitutional disturbance.
_Cold._--Shown by dulness, rough coat, loss of appetite, tears and
running at the nose. Give soft food and nurse well without exercise.
_Colic._--Distinguished from inflammation of the bowels by intervals of
quiet between the spasms, and by the fact that the horse will strike
his belly violently in the hope of relief. Give first a warm injection,
to remove any obstruction in lower bowel, and then administer
stimulants.
_Contracted Heels._--Often caused by improper shoeing, but often
natural, and in this case producing no ill result.
CORNS.--Do not at all resemble human corns. A corn is a reddish and
very sensitive spot in the sole of the foot under the shoe, caused by a
rupture of the delicate blood-vessels, resulting in an abnormal fungoid
growth.
_Costiveness._--May bring on “blind staggers” in a horse inclined to
this disease. No horse should be hurried when first taken out till his
bowels have been moved.
COUGH.--Constitutes unsoundness while it lasts. Caused by foul air,
dusty food, irregular work. Crush the oats, damp the hay, and give
linseed tea for drink.
CRIBBING, _or_ CRIB-BITING.--Is sometimes considered a vice, but is
doubtless a result of indigestion. The horse lays hold of the manger
with his teeth, straightens his neck, sucks wind into his stomach, and
ejects gas. Probably some alkali, say lime-water or baking soda, would
be beneficial.
CURB.--A soft, painful swelling on the back of the hind-leg six or
eight inches below the hock. See illustration.
_Cutting._--See “Interfering” and “Speedy Cut.”
_Discharge from Nostril._--Is usually caused by a simple cold, but may
be a symptom of the contagious and incurable disease GLANDERS, and
proximity to it should therefore be carefully avoided.
_Distemper._--A disease of young horses, occurring once only. See
“Strangles.”
_Ewe Neck._--Carries the head high and nearly in a horizontal position,
so that the bit has not a proper bearing on the “bars,” but is inclined
to slip back towards the grinders.
FARCY.--An incurable and contagious disease, caused by blood-poisoning,
and indicated by sores usually on inside of thigh, or on neck and hips.
As it is communicable to human beings, every farcied horse should be
immediately killed. It is well to avoid all approach to horses having
sores of any kind. See “Glanders.”
_Filled Legs._--A swelled condition of the lower parts, usually caused
by want of exercise, and relieved by bandaging and rubbing.
_Fistula of the Withers._--An abscess among the muscles over the
shoulder-blades, usually caused by pressure of saddle upon the bony
ridge of back. Requires surgical operation.
_Forging._--See “Overreaching.”
FOUNDER, OR FEVER IN THE FEET.--An inflammation of the parts between
the crust of the foot and the pedal-bone, including the _laminæ_,
which cease to secrete horn. It is caused sometimes by hard roads,
and sometimes by eating or drinking or standing in a draught of air
when heated. This name is commonly applied to any rheumatic lameness
of the fore-feet or legs brought on as above, whether its seat be the
feet, the tendons of the legs, or the muscles of the breast, in which
last case it is called “chest-founder.” The treatment, which is only
palliative, is hot bathing and friction with liniments.
_Gadfly Bites._--Often very annoying. May be prevented by washing legs
and flanks with a strong tea of green elder bark.
_Galls_--from saddle.--Best prevented by leaving the saddle in place
for twenty minutes after loosening the girths. When occurring, however,
should receive prompt attention, as they are very tedious if neglected.
Examine the back carefully after the first ride on a new horse, and
also before putting on the saddle the next day.
GLANDERS.--A disgusting, contagious, and incurable disease, the chief
symptom of which is a discharge from one nostril, at first transparent,
then slightly sticky, then thick and yellow. As it is highly contagious
to human beings, in whom it is equally dreadful and always fatal, _a
glandered horse should be instantly killed, as the law requires_. It is
well to avoid all horses having any discharge, however slight, from the
nose. Glanders may be caught from “farcy,” and _vice versa_.
GRAPES.--A filthy and incurable disease of heels and pastern, caused by
gross neglect. It is the last stage of “grease.”
GREASE.--An aggravated form of “chapped heels,” accompanied by
swelling, fever and a serous discharge. Wash clean frequently, and
anoint with Dalley’s salve.
_Gripes._--See “Colic.”
HEART DISEASE.--May be detected by auscultation. Incurable. Ends in
sudden death.
HEAVES.--See “Broken Wind.”
_Hide-bound._--The skin appears too tight, and as if fast to the ribs.
It is caused by a disordered stomach, and requires nourishing food.
_Inflammation of Bowels._--The pain is continuous, and the horse is
careful not actually to strike his belly with his feet. Requires, of
course, very different treatment from colic, but an injection should be
the first thing done.
_Interfering._--Striking the fetlock-joint with the foot. Caused
sometimes by weakness and fatigue, but usually by bad shoeing, and a
good blacksmith is the best adviser.
_Lampas._--A swelling of the gums, relieved by lancing.
KNEE-SPRUNG.--Incurable. Result of overwork.
KNUCKLED.--Same as “set over.” A condition of the fetlock-joint
corresponding to that of the “sprung” knee.
LAMINITIS.--The scientific name of “founder.”
MAD STAGGERS.--Violent insanity, caused by inflammation of the brain.
The last stage sometimes of sleepy staggers. Incurable.
_Mallenders._--A scurvy patch at the back of the knee, caused by
neglect, and not obstinate.
_Mange._--An itch produced by a parasitic insect.
MEGRIMS.--A falling-sickness like epilepsy. It begins with a
laying back of the ears and shaking of the head; is accompanied by
convulsions; and passes off of itself in two or three minutes, the
horse appearing to be none the worse. Often called “Blind Staggers.”
NAVICULAR DISEASE.--An ulceration of the navicular-joint in the foot,
causing lameness; incurable, except by extirpation of the nerve.
NERVED.--A nerved horse has had one of the nerves of the foot cut to
remove the pain and lameness caused by the “navicular disease.”
OPHTHALMIA.--A purulent inflammation of the eye. Epidemic.
ORGANIC DISEASE of the bony system anywhere constitutes unsoundness.
_Overreaching._--Striking the toe of the front-foot with the toe of the
hind-foot; sometimes called “clicking.” Often remedied by shoeing.
_Poll-evil._--An abscess in the top of the neck, near the head, caused
by a blow.
PUMICE FOOT.--Bulging sole, weak crust, the result of “laminitis.”
Incurable.
_Quarter Crack._--Occurs usually on the inside of fore-foot. A bad
sign, as well as very slow and troublesome to cure.
QUIDDING.--Dropping the food half chewed from the mouth. Indicative of
sore throat.
QUITTOR.--Burrowing abscess in the foot.
_Rheumatism._--Cause, effect, and treatment the same as for human
beings.
RING-BONE.--An enlargement of the bone by growth, a little above the
coronet.
ROARING.--Caused by a contraction of windpipe. Incurable.
RUPTURES of all kinds constitute unsoundness.
_Saddle-gall._--Swelling caused by chafing of saddle. If the skin is
broken it is called a “sitfast;” if not, a “warble.”
_Sallenders._--Scurvy patch in front of hock-joint.
_Sand Crack._--Occurs on the inside of fore-foot and on the toe of the
hind-foot.
_Scratches._--See “Chapped Heels.”
_Scouring._--Looseness of the bowels.
SEEDY TOE.--A separation of the crust of the hoof from the laminæ, the
result of laminitis. Scarcely curable.
SIDE-BONE.--A bony growth just above the coronet, causing lameness.
Incurable.
SPAVIN.--See “Bone, Blood, and Bog Spavin.”
_Speedy Cut._--A cut of the knee from the foot of opposite leg.
Dangerous, because the pain often causes the horse to fall.
STAGGERS.--See “Apoplexy.” “Sleepy,” “Trotting,” and “Mad” Staggers
are different forms and stages of the same disease, caused usually by
overfeeding.
_Strangles, or Colt Distemper._--A severe swelling of the glands of the
throat, which gathers and breaks.
STRING-HALT _or_ SPRING-HALT.--A peculiar snatching up of the hind-leg,
caused by some nervous disorder. Incurable.
_Surfeit._--An eruption of round, blunt spots, caused by heating food.
THICK WIND.--Defective respiration without noise. Incurable.
THICKENING OF BACK SINEWS.--Result of strain.
THRUSH.--An offensive discharge from the frog, the result of
inflammation, caused by want of cleanliness or overwork, etc.
THOROUGH-PIN.--A sac of synovial fluid formed between the bones of the
hock from side to side.
_Warble._--A saddle-gall when simply swollen but not broken.
_Warts._--Should be removed, as they tend to spread.
WHIRLBONE LAMENESS.--Lameness of hip-joint.
_Windgalls, or Puffs._--Little oval swellings just above the
fetlock-joint between the back sinew and the bone.
_Worms._--Sometimes troublesome, but less so than often supposed.
WHISTLING.--Caused by a contraction of windpipe. Incurable.
[Illustration: THE SORT OF HORSE NOT TO BUY.]
INDEX.
Acclimation, 148.
Advancing at Touch of Heel, 41, 44.
Amateur Horse-training, 1.
Amble, 28.
Apoplexy, 148.
Appel, 28.
Approaching a Fence, 119.
Arm, 135.
Arrière-main, 28.
Avant-main, 28.
Back, 135.
Back Sinew, 135.
Backing, 75, 76.
Barrel, or Chest, 135.
Bars, 15.
Belly, 137.
Bending the Neck to Right and Left, 32, 35, 48, 49.
Biting, 148.
Blind Staggers, 148.
Blindness, 148.
Blood-spavin, 150.
Bone-spavin, 150.
Boring, 150.
Bots, 150.
Breaking Down, 150.
Breast, or Bosom, 137.
Bridles, 12.
Bridle-tooth, 15, 18.
Broken Knee, 150.
Buying a Saddle-horse, 132.
Cannon-bone, 137.
Cantering, 64.
Capped Hock, 150.
Cataract, 150.
Cavesson, 46.
Changing the Leading Foot, 66, 79.
Chapped Heels, 150.
Chin Groove, 15, 29, 137.
Cold, 150.
Colic, 150.
Color, 147.
Contracted Heels, 150.
Corns, 150.
Coronet, 137.
Costiveness, 151.
Cough, 151.
Crest, 137.
Cribbing, 148, 151.
Croup, 38, 137.
Curb-place, 137.
Curbs, 151.
Cutting, 151.
Deux Pistes, 29, 71.
Discharge from Nostrils, 12, 15.
Diseases and Defects, 148.
Distemper, 151.
Dress, 88.
Duke of Wellington, 110.
Dumb-jockey, 46.
Ear, 137.
Elbow, 29, 137.
Etiquette in the Saddle, 87.
Ewe Neck, 151.
Eye, 137.
“Falling Through,” 16.
Farcy, 151.
Fetlock, 29, 137.
Filled Legs, 151.
Fistula of the Withers, 151.
Flank, 137.
Flexion of the Jaw, 32.
_Flexions de la Mâchoire_, 21.
_Flexions de l’Encolure_, 32.
Flying Trot, 58.
Forearm, 29, 137.
Forehand, 38.
Forehead, 137.
Forge, 29.
Forging, 152.
Founder, or Fever in the Feet, 152.
Frog, 29, 137.
Gadfly Bites, 152.
Galloping, 64.
Galls, 152.
Gaskin, or Lower Thigh, 137.
“Getting a Horse accustomed to Skirts,” 42.
Girths, 138.
Glanders, 152.
Going on _Deux Pistes_, 72.
Grapes, 152.
Grease, 152.
Grinders, 29.
Gripes, 152.
Groom, 116.
Guiding Bridlewise, 55.
Hand, 29, 104.
Hand-gallop, 29, 64.
Heart Disease, 152.
Heaves, 153.
Heel, 138.
Hide-bound, 153.
Hip, 138.
Hock, 29, 138.
Holding the Bit lightly, 21, 24.
Hoof, 138.
Horse-training is not Horse-breaking, 9.
Interfering, 28, 153.
Jaw, 138.
Jog-trot, 58.
Kicking, 69.
Knee, 138.
Knee-sprung, 153.
Knuckled, 153.
Laminitis, 153.
Lampas, 153.
Leading with Left Fore-foot, 88.
Leading with Right Fore-foot, 80.
Leaping, 118.
Loins, 138.
Lower Thigh, 138.
Lowering the Head, 25, 28.
Lunging-cord, 46.
Mad Staggers, 153.
Mallenders, 153.
Mane, 138.
Manége, 29.
Mange, 153.
Megrims, 153.
Method of holding Reins in both Hands, 111.
_Méthode d’Équitation_, Baucher, 4.
Mount, 91.
Mounting, 92.
Moving the Croup to Right and Left, 38, 52.
Muzzle, 138.
Navicular Disease, 153.
Nerved, 153.
Nippers, 30.
Nostrils, 138.
On the Road, 107.
On which Side to Ride, 100.
“One, Two, Three,” 95.
Ophthalmia, 153.
Ordinary Pirouette, 71.
Organic Disease, 153.
Overreaching, 153.
Pace, 30.
Pacing, 192.
Parts and Points of a Horse, 138.
Passage, 30, 71, 73, 138.
Pastern, 30.
Pastern-joint, 138.
Piaffer, 30.
Pirouettes, 30, 71.
Pisiform-bone, 138.
Piste, 30, 74.
Placing the Foot in the Stirrup, 96.
Poll, 30, 138.
Poll-evil, 154.
Position in Saddle, 97.
“Pulling the Hands steadily Apart,” 33.
Pulling the Right Rein, 36.
Pumice Foot, 154.
Punishment in Case of Resistance, 27.
Quarter Crack, 154.
Quarters, 138.
Quidding, 154.
Quittor, 154.
Rack, 30.
Ramener, 30.
Rassembler, 30.
Ready to Mount, 94.
Rearing, 66, 148.
Reins, Act of Changing, 77.
Reins in Hand, 43, 77.
Rheumatism, 154.
Riding in Circles, 79.
Ring-bone, 154.
Rising to the Leap, 127.
Roaring, 154.
Running Away, 69.
Ruptures, 154.
Saddle-gall, 154.
Saddles, 12, 13.
Sand Crack, 154.
Scouring, 154.
Scratches, 154.
Seat, 102, 103.
Seedy Toe, 154.
Shank, 30.
Shoulder, 138.
Shying, 68.
Side-bone, 154.
Sidney, Mr., 130.
Single-foot, 30.
Snaffle, 30.
Spavins and Splints, 30, 138, 154.
Speedy Cut, 154.
Staggers, 154.
Starting, 99.
Stifle-joint, 31, 138.
Stopping at Touch of Whip on Back, 45.
Strangles, 154.
String-halt, 154.
Style, 50.
Surcingle, 31.
Surfeit, 155.
Tail, 134.
Thick Wind, 155.
Thickening of Back Sinews, 155.
Thigh, 31, 139.
Thorough-pin, 155.
Thrapple, or Throttle, 139.
Throat-latches, 15, 31.
Thrush, 155.
Trotting, 58.
True Arm, 139.
Turning, 112.
Vices, 148.
“Vieille Moustache,” 130.
Walking, 46, 51.
Warble, 155.
Warts, 155.
Water Jump, 121.
Whips, 13.
Whirlbone Lameness, 155.
Whistling, 155.
Windgalls, 155.
Withers, 31, 139.
Worms, 155.
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as
possible.
Illustrations have been moved.