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How to Buy

Bm HORSE

7B ll a) sO a Sep

NOTICE.

Copies of this book will be Sent post-paid by mail, to

(2a address in the United Sates on rn ceipt of the price.
Address all orders to
JOHN YONKER MAN & SON.
VETERINARY SuRGK NS,
55 and 57 HIAYWArp ST., CLEVELAND, Outo.
NM. B.—All letyers YF inguiry answered Sree, on
aeccipl of postive SLU Lp.

BY). PEYONKER

|

CLEVELAND, OHIO: OF was\t
HARTLEY & HYNES, PRINTERS, » 17) 19 AND 21 a, gee

1879.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879,
By D. P. YONKERMAN,

in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at
Washington, D. C,
RIGHT OF TRANSLATION RESERVED.

CONTENTS.

—_—__—_——.

Properties and qualities of a good horse
The teeth as charcterizing the age of a horse
How to examine a horse

Jockey tricks

Special points in horses

The color of horses

The trial of horses

On sounduess and unsoundness

Vices

Warranties

Glanders

Glossary

ade Om ae

In writing this book it has been my object to
condense, what in other works of a similar nature
has been dwelt on to a considerable length, and to
give to the public a small book and one that will
come within the reach of all, which will instruct
its readers and protect them against the deceptions
now so extensively carried on in the purchase and
sale of horses, and by the aid of which a man com-
paratively ignorant of horse-flesh can purchase
a horse with perfect safety, and pick from any
number that horse which is best suited for his
purpose, without any danger of being imposed
upon. Also to give to the public the best mode
of ascertaining whether a horse is glandered or
not. In treating of this disease I give the manner
of detecting it in its firstand second stages or what

are generally known as its ‘‘ deceptive stages,”

VI

when they are still sold to the unwary as sound.
This is often done unintentionally by the dealer,
he himself not knowing the horse to be infected
with this loathsome disease. But by giving a sure
and simple test for the detection of this disease, a
person will guard against the purchase of such an
animal, and thus guard against the spread of it
among his own stock. On the other hand the
dealer finding himself unable to sell the animal
will either have to destroy him or keep him, and
by doing the latter run a risk, which but few
men are willing to incur, for it is a well established
fact that many men have lost their lives through
handling a glandered horse by getting the virus
into their blood. |
Having long felt the public demand for a proper
mode of detecting this disease, I shall confine my-
self to that and not enter into any long and
speculative theory upon the subject as to its origin,
spread, past and present conditions, &c., but,
instead, give only the mode of its detection, which,
heretofore, has been known to but few except the
regular practitioner, knowing that, by putting the
means into the hands of the public, they are fully

Vil

capable of protecting themselves ; and, knowing
of no better way, I have adopted this method of
spreading the desired information, including at
. the same time all that is of importance to the
purchaser and owner of a horse in a plain, simple
manner, carefully avoiding all technicalities which
tend only to embarrass and confuse the reader.

If this Jittle book only meets the present demand,
I shall feel fully recompensed in having been able

to benefit those into whose possession it may fall.
pS Fe Sve

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PROPERTIES AND QUALITIES

-OF A

GOOD HORSE

a

A good horse has fifty-four properties, that is to
say, two of a man, two of a badger, four of a lion,
nine of an ox, nine of a hare, nine of a fox, nine
of an ass, and ten of a woman, They are expressed
by some as follows: ‘‘A large, black, smooth, dry,
round and hollow hoof, short and straight pasterns,
straight and flat legs, round, lean and bony knees,
a long, high-reared neck, great towards the breast ;
sharp and upright ears; a large and lean forehead ;
large, full and black eyes; with the brows well
filled and shooting upwards; slender, lean, wide
and open jaws; a long mouth; a large and lean
head; a thin mane; withers sharp and pointed ;
the back short, even and double chimed ; the
sides and ribs deep, large and bearing out, and
close shut at the knuckle bone; the belly long and

2
roomy, but hid under the ribs; the flanks full but

gaunt; the rump round, plain and broad; the
thighs long and large, with well fashioned bones,
and those well covered with flesh; the hams dry
and straight ; the truncheon small, long and well
set; the tail long, not too thick, and falling to the
ground, and he should be well risen before,”

A good horse should also have the following
qualities: three of a woman—a broad breast, round
hips and a long mane; three of a lion—countenance,
courage and fire; three of a bullock—the eye,
nostril and joints; three of a sheep—the nose,
gentleness and patience; three of a mul2—strength,
constancy and foot; three of a deer—head, legs
and short hair; three of a wolf—throat, neck and
hearing; three of a fox—ear, tail and trot; three
of a serpent—memory, sight and turning; and three
of a hare—running, walking and suppleness.

The senses of the horse are very acute and
delicate, and his intellectual character is marked
by a quick perception, an excellent memory and a
benevolent disposition. Like man, some horses
are highly courageous, others timid; some

lively, playful and generous; whilst others are

3

stupid, obstinate and vicious. He is rarely found
to exert his vast strength and activity to his
master’s prejudice; on the contrary he will endure
fatigue even to death for his benefit. One of his
most eminent characteristics, is that his efforts are
not made so much from fear of his master, as from
a certain consciousness of the necessity for doing
his duty, for the sake of the services he receives
at the hand of man.

THE TEETH AS CHARACTERIZING THE AGE

OF A HORSE.

The teeth of animals are formed or fitted for the
the food upon which they live. ‘There are three
sorts of teeth: cutting teeth, canine teeth, and
molar teeth. Man has thirty-two teeth, those in
front are cutting teeth or incisors, those behind
and with which he grinds his food are molar teeth
and the sharp pointed ones on each side of the
incisors are the canine teeth. ‘The canine teeth
are best seen in the mouth of the cat, the dog, the
lion, and some others. In each jaw of a man there
are four front teeth or incisors, two canine teeth
(called eye teeth,) four small grinders and six

hugh grinders, making in all sixteen teeth. Chil-

4

dren have but twenty teeth, at first, or ten in each
jaw: they are called milk teeth because they appear
for the most part while the child lives on milk.
The teeth of the mole are fitted to crush the horny
covering of insects and to gnaw the roots of
plants where worms are found; while dogs
cats, bears, and others of this family have teeth
formed for cutting the flesh on which they feed.
The Greenland whale has no teeth, but fibrous
horny plates, which are fringed and known as
whalebone. Gnawing animals have two long
teeth which project from each jaw and which
have an edge like a chisel, while the horse and
‘the ass have to seize and crush the grass and
grains on which they live. Man can tell from
the teeth of an animal what its habits are.
A lion, with the teeth of a horse, could not
subsist; and a horse, with the teeth, of a lion would
starve. The horse has six incisors or cutting
teeth in the front of each jaw, and one canine
tooth or tusk. On each side, above and below—
at some distance from the incisors and behind
the canine with some intervening space—are
six molar teeth or grinders. The whole is thus
thus represented by natural historians.

3)
HORSE— incisors 8, canine 4—1, molar 8-8; total 40 teeth.

A colt is usually foaled with six grinders
in each jaw, three on each side. In tenor eleven
days he puts out two nippers in front, above
and below. Ina fortnight after, the two middle
ones appear, and in three months from this the
corner nippers are pushed out. From this until he
is a year old no great change takes place, except
that the cavity in the nippers begins slightly to
fill up and appear worn. He has likewise now
four grinders on each side, above and below,—
hree of the milk set and one permanent. At at
year and a half the cavity in the nippers is nearly
filled up, and he has now three milk, and two
permanent grinders in each jaw, above and below.

At two years, the marks in the nippers are
wholly effaced, and they appear like the same teeth
in an eight year old horse. At this time also the
first milk grinders above and below fall out. When
the colt is about two years and a half old the two
front nippers fall out; and, as the permanent ones
occupy considerable time in coming to perfection, a
colt may experience some difficulty in grazing.
Between the ages of three and a half and four years,

6

the two next nippers appear above and below.
Six months later the two corner nippers fall out
to give place to the last set. Soon after this the
tusks appear; from this period he is no_ longer
a colt but a horse, and the female colt, on the
falling of the corner nippers drops the name of
filly, and assumes that of mare.

At the age of five years, in a natural state the
internal wall of the corner nippers is on a level
with the rest, and the tusks completely come out.
At six years, the black mark or cavity, in the
front lower nippers, which was before wearing
out is completely effaced. At seven years the
same marks in the two next, or intermediate
teeth, of the posterior jaw are likewise com-
pletely worn out. At eight, the cavity in the
lower corner teeth is lost. And now a horse is
said to be aged. The following comparison was
drawn between the ages of man and horse by
M. .Blaire. That is, at these several periods of
comparison, the constitution of man and the horse
may be considered in an equal degree of per-
fection or decay according as age or youth

preponderate; Thus the first five years of a horse

7

may be considered as equivalent to the first twen-
ty years of a man, z. e. that a horse of five years
may be considered as old as a man of twenty.
A horse of ten years, as a man of forty; a horse
of fifteen years, as a man of fifty; a horse of
twenty years, as a man of sixty; a horse of twenty-
five years, as a man of seventy; a horse of thirty
as a man of eighty; And a horse of thirty-five

as a man of ninety.

HOW TO EXAMINE A HORSE.

The first thing to be attended to is the form
of the animal. The head should be fine, and
broad between the eyes and tapering towards the
nose; the jaws, clean and not possessing too
much flesh; the eyes full, sparkling and bright;
tie nostrils, large, open and of a. clear. red:
the space underneath the jaws should be roomy
and free from lumps or swellings, the ears small,
set well into the head and pointing forward, the
neck, well curved, lightly-formed ‘and rather
muscular, also well arched beneath, 7. ¢., at the
union with the jaw; the shoulders high and slop-
ing; the withers of a medium breadth, and not

too high, as it will be found that high withered

8

horses are narrow in the chest—a bad point,
inasmuch as it does not allow sufficient room
for the lungs to play. The back should be
short;.and.:.a.. little .arched.. across. -the.,lomsys
the chest deep and ribs expanding, especially
between the last mb and the hips so as to allow
of a hollow betwixt them. The thighs should
be muscular to the hocks, the fore legs muscular
to the kn2e. and the feet nearly circular, gradually
increasing as they descend towards the sole.

The position of the legs or what is generally
termed their ‘‘setting on” is a most important
point, Viewing the horse in front, his legs should
be nearly straight and his feet neither inclining
to the right nor left. Feet turned outwards are
very liable to cut and trip, and the action is seldom
good or agreeable.

Horses with an inward inclination are pigeon-
toed, and have a labored action. The fore legs
should be set well under the shoulder, affording
ample support to it. Such as have their legs
plaeed forward possess neither power nor action.
The hind legs should either be straight from the
hock downwards or have a slight inclination un-
der the belly, but not too much.

9

Be also particular about the crown of the head
to ascertain if he has the poll-evil. Examine the
nostrils, and, if there is a fetid discharge, he is
glandered or otherwise affected with Nasal Gleet.
To be sure of this, the nostrils should be pinched
together for about a minute to prevent him from
breathing, and, on removing the hand, he is sure
to snort, which will blow out any matter if he is
diseased,

The tongue should also be looked at; examine
the eyes for ‘Gutta Serena” or blindness, see
that the withers are not fistulous; carefully exam-
ine the knees, because a horse with broken knees
must be suspected to be guilty of stumbling. See
that there is no splint below the knee, or groggi-
ness in the region of the fetlock, or ringbones of the
pasterns or thoroughpin of the hock joint. Attend
to the hocks in case they are capped; see also
that there is no symptom of curb, a little way be-

low these points, Examine the inside of the hock
in case of bone spavin; descend to the feet and see
that there are no symptoms of grease. See that
there does not exist sand crack in the horny sub-

stance of the hoof, nor canker separating the horny

10

substance from the sensitive part of the foot. Be
very particular about examining the teeth; take
care that he has not been ‘‘bishoped;” or had a
tooth extracted. A horse with an upright shoulder
is more fitted for harness than riding; and a slop-
ing one is best adapted for riding from having
generally better actioin and less of his own weight
to sustain on his fore legs. Horses that stand
with their hind legs much under them may be
suspected to be diseased in the spine or kidneys,
and should be carefully examined on these points.
And while doing so, do not permit the dealer
or his servant to hold up the horse by the bridle or
to have him stand on rising ‘ground. Dealers
servants take care to bring horses to a stand on
rising ground and thereby conceal any knuckling
of the knees or pasterns, and will give a groggy
animal all the appearance of soundness, To as-
certain whether a horse is a roarer, piper, or whist-
ler, place him with his side against a wall, or the
side of a stall, take hold of the bridle near the
mouth, and hold his head high; then then give
him a smart blow in the ribs with your fist, and if

he grunts at each blow he is a roarer, on the con-

it

trary if he dances about in consequence of the
blows, sobbing and drawing in his breath quick-
ly, he is sure to be a whistler or a piper. But
for testing all diseases of the lungs and air cells,
nothing is better than a smart trot or gallop.

In looking at the actions of a horse, see that
his fore feet are lifted well, and that he com-
pletely clears the ground, and throws his legs
out freely, and lightly; in trotting, see that the
horse does not lift his feet too high, and that
he replaces them firmly and flatly on the ground,
for if the toe first touches the ground he is hable
to stumble or trip; if the shoe be examined, it
will indicate the part which first comes to the

ground, by being most worn down.

JOCKEY TRICKS.

In almost every city or town in the country,
there are to be found men who make it their
business to buy and sell horses; they generally
have a stable where from ten to twenty horses
are kept for sale continually. These stables are
of some benefit to the public, inasmuch as it
enables a man who wishes to dispose of an

animal, to do so without having to wait, perhaps,

12

for months before he can find a purchaser
himself; when, by sending him to one of these,
he is generally sold in a few days; and it also
enables a man who wishes to buy a horse, to
find among the number one likely to suit his
purpose. But there is no place, where a man
more needs the aid of an experienced friend or
a sound judgment and knowledge of horseflesh
than there. For it is not surprising, when we
consider for a moment the relation in which the

horse stands to man, and the vast amount he adds

to his welfare and gain, as the servant of the mer-

chant, mechanic, tradesman and professional man,
as well as the pride of the gentleman, that there
should be some wholesale swindling going on in
this branch of business, as well as in some others
of less importance to the public. But to say that
there are no honest dealers would be a gross
calumny. That there are few, hardly admits of
dispute, for, unless the dealer gives his horse a
character which he does not possess, he is pretty
sure not to make a sale; accordingly, he often
draws very heavily on his imagination. But some-

times it does not conclude with this alone, for the

Shops es thiiat cde shoe's ceed inescte, hose ties 2 LN REL

. ee a “aa Aver

13

practice of some low and disreputable dealers, who,
by trickery, contrive to hide any defects that the
horse may possess, are too well known to need
any enlarging upon. But, unfortunately, the tricks
usually resorted to require a little experience to
detect, and this but few men possess, save the
veterinary and the dealer. ‘The usual method of
procedure adopted by this gang of swindlers and low
dealers is to sell a man a ‘‘ captain,” as a horse with
anasal discharge is called; then, on his way home,
or perhaps a time after, members of the gang
approach and inform him of the horse being glan-
dered, or otherwise affected, offering to take him
off his hands for perhaps one-third the price for
which he was bought, thus, in the end, gaining the
horse as well as the man’s money, only to repeat
the trick on the next unwary purchaser, and in this
way making a captain quite a lucrative animal to
the gang.

If a man finds himself so imposed upon, let him
in no wise re-sell the animal, but examine him for
the symptoms and apply the test as mentioned in
another part of this book, and if he find him to be
glandered, order him to be destroyed, and see that

14

the order is obeyed, and he will be saving the
public, at least for a while, from the workings of
this nefarious gang.

The following contains a list of those tricks
usually resorted to by some dealers:

The first, and the one most frequently practiced,
to which I wish to draw the reader’s attention, is—
BisHoPiInc. This consists in filing down the wear-
ing surface of the front incisor teeth of old horses,
and giving them a young appearance, by graving
hollows to resemble young teeth, after which a red-
hot iron is applied, leaving an indelible black mark
on the tooth.

BEANING.—This is resorted to when a horse is
but slightly lamed on one of his fore feet. It con-
sists in paring thin the sole of the opposite fore
foot, near the toe, and replacing the shoe, having
first placed a small pebble beneath it. The effect
produced by this operation renders the action of
both fore legs nearly alike, and if properly done
is seldom suspected or detected until after purchase.

ROARING is sometimes suspended for a while by
the aid of a drug, as is broken wind by dosing the

15

animal with shot, and tar, or grease, but these
generally lose their effect upon giving the horse
some water.

Gyppinc.—White places, such as a star, stripe,
or white hairs, as the result of previous injury to
the skin, are dyed with colored solutions, which is
recognized by the different shades employed, and
the dissimilarity of color to that of the hair over
the rest of the body. It will usually wash off or
disappear with the subsequent growth of the hair.

Piuccinc.—This is done to preventa horse from
discharging from the nostril. It consists of press-
ing a piece of tow up the nostril to prevent the
matter from escaping. It is easily detected by
examining the nostril.

Extracting a tooth from a young horse is often
done to give him an older appearance. This can
readily be detected by examining the upper teeth.

Purrinc.—In horses of a great age large depres-
sions are found over the eyes. Puffing consists in
their puncturing the skin and blowing out these
depressions, which remain puffed out until the air
is absorbed. Where this is suspected simply press

‘over the eyes and the air will escape.

16

STUFFING. —This is done to a horse affected with
acorn. It consists in paring the corn out and
inserting in the hole a plug, cut out of the paring
from another horse, so as to give the sole the

appearance of being sound.

A horse having a nervous disease is known by
the term of “‘ shiverer,”’ and it is hidden for a time
by the administration of an opiate. A horse affected
with a kidney complaint, and known by the term
of ‘‘A Kidney Dropper,” is generally given a dose
of nitre, turpentine or resin to hide the ‘defect for

a while.

But even these by no means complete the cate-
gory of defects which hang about the horse, for if
the purchaser buys an animal which is neither
broken-winded, bishoped, gypped, puffed, stuffed
or glandered, he may have secured a more worth-
less prize in the shape of a dangerous brute, that
will shy at everything on the road, kick, and bite,
plunge and rear, or run away, after the passions
are relieved from the powerful drugs which have

been used to depress the vital energy.

ni Ene em

17
SPECIAL POINTS IN HORSES.

In buying a horse the purchaser should see that
the animal has the qualifications requisite for the
purpose for which he is intended, If he wishes to
buy a racer, hunter, roadster, or a coach-horse, he
should see that his jaws are clean and wide, nos-
trils large and open, shoulders broad and thin,
thighs strong and muscular, chest full and deep,
affording full play to the lungs. The back may
be somewhat longer than in a horse intended for
other purposes; ribs large and wide, tail coming
out high and stiff, and the hind quarters should be
lean and hard.

A horse intended for riding should have an
oblique shoulder, and a chest so formed as not to
throw the weight too far forward. The back may
be long, as this will render the paces easier ; it
should be straight to the loins, and these should
be broad and muscular, and well joined together—
no depression being observed between them.
sDhere should, however, be a depression behind
the withers, and these should be high.

A horse intended for light draught ought to have
a moderate-sized chest with considerable depth of

girth; and in him a moderately short back is pre-

18

ferable. There should also bea considerable angle
between the shoulder blade and the lower bone,
for, the greater the angle, the easier will be the
motion and the more extended the stride.

Horses intended for heavy draught should have |
an upright shoulder, and a broad, full chest, as |
they act more effectually on the collar, both from ~
size and weight. An upright shoulder gives the
horse additional weight to throw into the collar,
as well as enabling him to press steadily on every —
part of it. The back should be short, as it will be
more strong and compact, and yet allow sufficient
ease to the pace. ‘The hips ought to be round.

Every farmer who breeds horses for his own use
or the market, should at the outset possess himself
of a well formed, powerfully built, finely bred
mare—standing at least fifteen and a half hands
high, and weighing not less than twelve hundred
pounds in ordinary condition; and he should breed
this mare to a thoroughbred horse of good pedigree,
good form and depth of body, standing on short,
powerful and sound limbs, at least sixteen hands
high, and weighing not less than twelve hundred
pounds. Ifthe mare is reasonably well bred, he

may expect from the union of these a fine animal.

19

THE COLOR OF HORSES,

The color of the hair exhibits every variety, and
like that of the skin, is influenced by, or depends
upon, the mucous meshwork under the cuticle,

Wuitre Horses.—There are comparatively few
white horses now remaining. The white palfrey
originally from Spain or Barbary, and rarely ex-
ceeding the size of a galloway, is nearly extinct.
Such horses are good in their paces. The majori-
ty of white horses are those that have gradually
become so. Light gray colts begin to grow white
before they are five years old, especially if they
have not much dark hair about the joints.

Gravy Horses.—Gray horses are of different
shades, from the lightest silver gray to a dark iron
gray. ‘The silver gray reminds the observer of the
palfrey, improved by an admixture of Arab blood.
He does not often exceed fourteen and a half
hands in height, and is best calculated for a light
carriage or for a lady’s riding. He is seldom sub~
ject to disease, but is not very fast, or capable of
hard work.

The iron gray is usually a larger horse, and in
many cases a little too long in the legs. They are

principally used for the carriage, and have gener-

20

ally more endurance than the flatness of their chest
would indicate.

The dappled gray is generally a handsomer, and
a better horse; and whether as a hack, or the
larger variety as a carriage horse, there are few
that excel them. There are not, however, so
many dappled graysas there used to be. The
dappled gray, if dark at first, generally retains his
color to old age. Some of the grays approach to
a nutmeg, or even to a bay, color, and are com-
monly handsome and hardy.

- Roans.—The color of the roan is of every
variety—composed of white, mixed with black,
red, or bay. In some it seems to be a natural mix-
ture, but in others it appears as if one color was
sprinkled over another. ‘They are pretty horses
for ladies, or light carriages, and many of them are
easy in their paces, but they are not much cele-
brated for endurance, It has also been found that
uf they have white fore legs with white hoofs they
are often tender-footed, or become so with a little
hard work.

THE STRAWBERRY.—The strawberry color is a

mixture of sorrel and white, usually handsome and

21

agreeable, but not always found combined with

_ power or endurance,

THe Pirp.—The pied horse is one that has
distinct spots or patches of different colors, but
usually of white, with some other color; they look
well in a light carriage or a phaeton. They possess
no particular character except that a white foot in
them is suspicious, as in a roan.

THe Dun.—The larger size is a true farmer’s
or miller’s horse, with no great speed or extraordi-
nary strength, yet a good tempered, good-feeding,
good-constitutioned and useful horse. The smaller,
or the galloway size, with a darker or dappled
color, are beautiful animals, and much sought after

for light carriages.

Tue Cream.—tThe cream color with his white
iris and red pupil is appropriate for the gentleman’s
use, Attached to a carriage, he is a splendid
animal, but he is not very well adapted for other
purposes.

CHESTNUTS. —Of these there are three varieties.
First, the pale red or sorrel, usually with some
white hairs either on the face or legs. This color

is somewhat objectionable, and they are supposed

22

to be somewhat deficient in endurance; yet some
of them are bulky enough for the heaviest loads.
Secondly, the light chestnut with less red and a
little more bay or brown. ‘This is considered a
preferable animal, especially if he has little or no
white about him, but even he, although pleasant
to ride, is sometimes irritable and generally weak.
Thirdly, the dark chestnut, who is altogether a
different horse from the hackney-like chestnut.
He, unlike the others, is possessed of great endur-
ance and a constitution that hardly knows an
ailment.

Bays.—Of these there are many varieties, and
they include the best of our horses of every descrip-
tion. The bright yellow bay, although very
beautiful, and especially if his mane and tail are
long and black, is the least valuable, for he seems
to have a tenderness of constitution. The pure
bay with no white about him, and black from the
knees and hocks to the feet, is the most desirable
of all. He has generally a good constitution and
good feet, and if his conformation is not faulty,
will turn out a valuable horse for almost every

purpose,

23

Browns.—Of these there are two kinds—the
bay-brown, who has not always so much show and
action, but has generally more strength, endurance
and usefulness. The black-brown is more neg-
lected as regards breeding, but he is valuable if he
retains the goodness and constitutien of the bay-
brown.

Biack.—Of these greater care has been taken.
The large, heavy black is a noble animal, and
would be very high-priced if he could be rendered
more active. The next in size constitute the
majority of our wagon horses, and, perhaps, our
best ; their peculiar high action, while not objec-
tionable for draught, and desirable for parade,
_ would be unbearable in a roadster. Black horses
. have been said to be more subject to vice, disease
and blindness than those of any other color. This
charge is not true to its full extent, but there are
certainly a great many worthless black horses in
every part of the country. After all, there isan old
saying that ‘‘a good horse cannot be off color.”
True, it is far more necessary to attend to the
conformation and points of the animal than the

color. The above mentioned observations, how-

24

ever, although they admit of many exceptions,
may aid in the judicious purchase of a horse.

THE TRIAL OF HORSES.

The trial of a horse at the time of sale often
leads to a dispute between the purchaser and the
dealer, although the Jaw is quite clear on this
point. ‘The intending purchaser is only liable for
damage done to the horse through his mismanage-
ment. The seller, however, may put what
restrictions he chooses on the trial, and he then
takes all risks of accident in the fair use of the
horse within such restrictions.

The fraudulent practice of some dealers in

giving their horses, by overfeeding, a false appear-

ance of muscular substance, leads to the ruin of |

many a valuable animal. If ahorse froma dealer’s
stable is driven far and fast, he, in nine cases out
of ten, soon shows distress; and, if pushed farther,
inflammaticn and death may ensue. The dealer
rarely gets recompensed for this, and I don’t know
that he should, as he knows the unfitness of his
horse, and may thank himself for having permitted

such a trial, however disastrous may be the result.

25

ON SOUNDNESS AND UNSOUNDNESS.

There are few sources of greater annoyance,
both to the purchaser and the seller of a horse,
than disputes with regard to his soundness, although
it has been the endeavor of several authors and
writers on the horse to determine just what
diseases or alteration of structure constitute
unsoundness. But, up to the present time, the
various opinions of judges, and of several authors
have been so unsettled, that no firm bas:s seems
to have been reached. But all admit that horse
to be sound in whom there is no disease or altera-
tion of structure that does impair, and is not likely
to impair his natural usefulness. But the term
‘‘natural usefulness” must be understood. One
horse may possess great speed, but no power of
endurance. Another will work all day but cannot
be urged beyond a slow pace. One with a heavy
forehead is liable to stumble. Another, with an
irritable constitution and washy make, loses his.
appetite and begins to scour, if a little extra work is
exacted from him. ‘The term unsoundness cannot
be applied to any of these; it has reference only to
disease or alteration of structure. But any of the

following defects will constitute an unsound horse :

26

Broken knees, only when they interfere with the
action of the joints, or if they cause the horse to
stumble,

_Bog or blood spavins.

Bone spavin, although not necessarily causing
lameness, constitutes unsoundness.

Contraction of the feet is generally considered
unsoundness, though in some cases it does not
interfere with the action of the horse. A special
warranty, however, should be taken.

Capped hocks, if caused by lying down or by
kicking, does not constitute unsoundness, but if
caused by a sprain or an injury, accompanied by
enlargement of the hock, would constitute unsound-
ness. A special warranty should be taken against
capped hocks,

Corns constitute unsoundness.

-Cough—tThis is caused by disease and is conse-
quently unsoundness. A horse, therefore, with a
cough, should never be purchased without a special
warranty.

Roaring, wheezing, high-blowing and grunting,
all being the result of alteration of structure or
disease of some of the air passages, constitute

unsoundness,

27

Crib-biting, although simply a trick or bad habit, ,
must be considered unsoundness, for, as soon as
a horse acquires the habit of cribbing, he, in nine
cases out of ten, loses condition and becomes pre-
disposed to colic. t

Curb constitutes unsoundness while it lasts. A
horse is not returnable, however, although he
spring a curb five minutes after purchase, for it is
done in a moment and is no proof of former
unsoundness or weakness,

Cutting constitutes unsoundness, if lame at the
time of sale.

Enlarged hock is unsoundness whether the horse
is lame at the time of sale or not.

Enlarged glands—Authorities seem to differ on
this point, but if the glands at the root of the ear
are enlarged and the inside lining of the nostril is
redder than usual, one should hesitate before pro-

nouncing that horse sound,

Ossification, as it interferes with the natural
expansion of the foot, is unsoundness.

Ophthalmia, if it can be proven to have existed
before purchase, and comes on soon after.

Pumiced foot is unsoundness.

28

Quidding, while it lasts, is unsoundness.

Quittor is unsoundness.

Ringbone, in any degree, is unsoundness.

Rupture of any kind is unsoundness,

Sandcrack is manifestly unsoundness, It may
occur without any warning, and no horse can be
returned on account of having sprung one after

purchase.

Splint, if interfering with the action, constitutes
unsoundness.

Stringhal: is manifestly unsoundness.

Thickening of the back sinews—A horse so.

afflicted cannot strictly be called sound, as the
thickening of the cellular substance in which the
sheaths are enveloped is long afterwards lable to
sprain or injury from causes which would not
otherwise affect it. In examining for thickening
of the back sinews, allowance must be made for some

horses who are naturaJly gummy or round, about
the legs. To establish thickening of the sinews, one

leg should be perceptibly larger than the other.
Thoroughpin ; scarcely ever produces lameness

unless very large and it then constitutes unsound-

ness, but otherwise a horse with thoroughpin may

be bought with a special warranty.

laste cesabiantaaoael

< that eS eal cad

29

Thrush has also been a disputed point but I be-
lieve it is now generally admitted to be unsound-
ness, for thrush may be the out breaking of any
disease.

Windgalls; constitute unsoundness only when

they cause lameness.

The following contains a list of those diseases

and accidents which are generally not considered
sufficient to constitute their possessors unsound:

Broken knees ; if not interfering with the action.
Curby Hocks.

Capped Hocks, if caused by lying on an un-
evenly paved stable or from kicking.

If caused by the latter, it would be more of an ev-

idence of vice.

Contraction in a slight degree only.

Splint, unless interfering with the action.

Thoroughpin ; unless it causes lameness.

Windgalls; there are few horses free from these
and they do not constitute unsoundness .unless
causing lameness. ‘That horse is unsound in whom
there is disease or alteration of structure that does
impair, or is likely to impair, his natural useful-

Ness,

30
VICES.

Many horses are sold on account of some
vicious habit which they have acquired, or on ac-
count of natural ferocity, and a horse with a
vicious propensity is more easily palmed off to the
unwary than any other, for he usually exhibits a
freshness that most purchasers admire notwith-
standing the drugs that may have been adminis-
tered. But their admiration frequently turns to
fear when after having used the animal they find
him as fresh to kick, bolt, bite or shy, as he was

to appear handsome during the trial.

There are many habits that some horses acquire
that do not amount to vice, but which are never-
theless disagreeable; for instance, some horses
have the habit of getting the check of the bit into
the mouth thus giving them entire control over the
driver who immediately loses all command; an-
other may be restless, while being cleaned ; and a
third may be continually pawing in the stable. And
there are stillseveral other faults of a similar nature;
but, as these may be overcome by gentleness or a

mechanical contrivance, they are not considered

ol

-

sufficient ground for the return of the animal, un-
less carried to such an extent as to amount to
actual vice.

But the following contains a list of those vices
which will render their possessors returnable :

Biting when practised to an unusual degree.

Cribbing.

Kicking when excessive.

Rearing.

Restiveness, or refusal to go in the desired di-
rection. |

Bolting, or running away.

Shying when excessive.

Weaving in the stable.

WARRANTIES.

When a purchaser buys a horse he usually has
embodied in the receipt a warranty, which should
be expressed as follows :

Date.
Received of A. B. one hundred dollars for a
bay mare, warranted only six years old, sound, free

From vice, and quiet to ride and drive.
$100.00 CST.

32
It will be seen that the above warranty covers
all diseases that can be detected or that lurk in
the constitution at the time ofsale. Also any vice
or alteration of structure that will impair his
natural usefulness, including also color, age, and

quietness to ride and drive.

A warranty that an animal is sound has no ref-
erence to the age, to freedom from vice, and
quietness to ride and drive which should be spec-
ially mentioned. ‘The above warranty is also sub-
ject to modification ; for instance,a horse may be
warranted a good hack or hunter, in which case
he must fairly answer the description; or, he may |
be warranted’ on any one point. But the terms
‘‘has been hunted, ” or ‘‘has carried a lady,” are
not to be relied upon, as it is only necessary to
prove in defense that he has seen hounds, or had
a lady on his back. No price will imply a warran-
ty or be equal to one; there must be an express
warranty and that must be taken at the time of
sale. A warrant, or the promise of a warrant
given at any time after the sale is invalid, for
the constitution of a horse may undergo a very de-

-cided change ina few days. A warranty given

33

after the timg of sale is invalid, because it is given
without any legal consideration. In order to
complete the sale there must be a transfer of the
horse or a memorandum of the agreement or the
payment of earnest money, for which the least sum
is sufficient. No verbal promise is_ binding
without one of these. But the moment one of
these is effected the legal transfer is made, and
whatever happens to the horse afterwards, the
seller retains or is entitled to the money.

If the horse should be discovered to have been
unsound at the time the warranty was given, the
buyer may tender a return of him, and, if he is not
taken back, he may bring an action for the price.
But the seller is not bound to rescind the contract
unless he has agreed to do so.

The animal should be tendered at the house or
stable of the dealer, and if he refuses to receive
him, he may be taken to a livery stable and sold,
and the purchaser may then bring action for the
difference inthe price. It is not nesessary, how-
ever, to return the horse as soon as the unsound-
ness is discovered, the animal may be kept for a

reasonable time afterwards, and even proper med-

34

ical means resorted to, to remove the unsound-
ness, but it is better to return the horse as soon
as the unsoundness is discovered. The purchaser
may like the horse notwithstanding his discovered
detects, in which case he may retain him and bring
action for the depreciation in value on account of
the unsoundness.

¢ {When no warranty is given, a person may bring
action on the ground of fraud, but this is rather
difficult to maintain, consequently not often done.

If a person buys a horse warranted sound, and
discovers no defects in him and resells him, and
the second purchaser discovers the unsoundness
and brings action against the first purchaser, the
latter has claim on the first seller, and may demand
of him, not only the price of the horse, but any ex-
pense that may have been incurred.

When one horse is given in exchange for another,
or a sum given in addition by one of the parties,
the law is the same as in simple sales, if a warranty
is given and is broken, an action may be main-
tained. Where no warranty is given, deceit must

be proven.

Mi a eee

30

. GLANDERS,

Without entering upon the various details of this
disease, I will simply say that it has long been the
scourge of this noble race of animals. But that
the prevalence of this disease might be greatly:
diminished is undeniable, were the means of detec-
tion known tothe public. For who, knowing an
animal to be infected with this most loathsome
disease, would allow it to drag out an existence
on or about his premises, to the danger of all his
other stock, or even of his life, and that of all others
who may come in contact with it.

I shall, therefore, in treating of this disease, pur-
sue my course slowly and cautiously ; trusting
that the reader will carefully study the following
symptoms, as he should consider no time lost that
is spent in carefully ascertaining the exact manner
in which this disease makes its appearance.

The earliest symptom of Glanders is an increas-
ed discharge from the nostrils, small in quantity,
constantly flowing, and of a watery character,
sometimes a little mucus mingling with it. It
must be borne in mind that in this stage the dis-

charge is entirely free from any gluey or sticky

36

properties which are so commonly supposed to
exist in all the stages of this disease. It is in this
stage , when, if ever a cure might be effected, and
when, too the mischief from contagion is most fre-
quently produced.

A horse may be in the highest condition, but,
should this small watery and constant discharge be
discovered, it must be considered as a very suspi-
cious circumstance, which should be in nowise
overlooked. ‘There is also another and curious
circumstance connected with this disease, for which
no satisfactory account is given, that when one
nostril alone is attacked, it is in a great majority
of cases the near or left.

The discharge in cases of infection may con-
tinue, and in so slight a degree as to be hardly
perceptible, for many months, or even one or two
years, unattended by any other disease, even ul-
ceration up the nostrils, and while yet the horse is
decidedly glandered from the beginning, and capa
ble of propagating the malady.

The second stage is known by a similar dis-
charge, still retaining its clear appearance, but
becoming gluey and sticky, and, to a slight degree

37

the hair and part over which it flows become
incrusted, it subsequently adheres to the margin of
the nostril, and then in the transparant watery
fluid may be seen opaque threads of white mucus,
When this mucus is discharged some of it becomes
absorbed, and the neighboring glands become
affected. If there is discharge from both nostrils,
the glands under the jaw, on both sides, will be
enlarged, if from one nostril the swollen glands
will be found on that side alone.

Glanders, however, will frequently exist without
these swollen glands, and some other diseases, such
as catarrh, will produce them, then we must look
for some peculiarity about these glands, and we
shall readily find it. The swelling may be at first
somewhat large and diffused, but the surrounding
enlargement soon wears off, and one or two small
distinct glands remain adhering closely to the jaw
on the affected side. ‘The membrane of the nose
should now be examined, it will either be of a dark
purplish hue, or almost of a leaden color, or, of
any color, between the two, if there is some of the
redness of inflammation, it will have a purple tinge,

but there will never be the faint, pink blush of

38

health, or the intense vivid red of usual inflamma-
tion. Small, ragged-edged ulcers will also appear
on the membrane of the nose. And these com-
plete the symptoms in the second degree.

If the discharge issuing from the nostrils, in these
deceptive cases, arises from a cold, upon its being
dropped into water it will soon rise to the surface
and float, but if from glanders it will sink. The
symptoms by which the third and fourth stages
are known, need simply to be mentioned.

The losing of flesh; tucking up of the belly;
loss of appetite; loss of strength; enlargement
of the ulcers up the nostril, accompanied by a
fetid discharge and loss of the hair. ‘This disease
at this stage is too well known to need any
comment by me, as it is principally on the first

and second stages that purchasers are deceived.

fe

wa

on Anum BW Db

41

Spe oral, Y.

POINTS OF A HORSE,

Forehead.
Face.
Nose.
Muzzle.
Jaw.
Throat.
Point of the Shoul’r
Chin.
Neck.
Breast.
Shoulder.
Withers.
Arm.
Fore-arm,

Fore-leg.

Knee:
Cannon-bones.
Polk.

Crest:

Back.

Loin.

Flip:

Croup.

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
a0
34

35
36

Dock.
Sheath.
Elbow.
Girth,
Barrel.
Ribs.
Quarter.
Thigh,
Stifle;
Ham-String.
Point of the Hock.
Hock,
Spavin-place.
Curb-place.
Fetlocks.

Small Pasterns.
Large Pasterns.
Coronet.

Hoof.

Heels.

Mane.

Flank.

42

CANKER.—This consists in a separation of the
horn fron the sensitive part of the foot. It is usu

ally caused by a bruise, puncture or a corn.

Cris Birinc.—Consists in resting the upper
incisor teeth against any solid substance and then
violently extending the neck, when by a convul-
sive action of the throat, a slight grunting sound
is heard accompanied by a sucking in of the air,
To ascertain if a horse is a Cribber examine the
upper incisor teeth, and if they are worn away on

their outer edge, the horse cribs.

Curs.—An enlargement at the back of the
hock three or four inches below its point. It is
caused by a sudden action of the limb or by a
sudden check in the gallop. Horses with hocks

turned inwards are most lable to spring curbs.

FistuLous WITHERS.—A very tender tumour
on the withers, caused by continual pressure of

the saddle on the back or from an injury.

GrRocGGINEss.—A peculiar knuckling of the fet-
lock joint and sometimes a tottering of the whole
foreleg caused by over exertion or frequent and

severe sprains.

43

GREASE.—An inflammation of the skin of the
heels looking at first red, dry, and scurfy, but soon
' becoming a mass of soreness and ulceration,

® Pow Evi.—aA hot, tender and painful swell-
} | ing on the poll caused by very tight reining, a
| ' blow, or by hanging back in the stall and bruising
i

the part with the halter.
i PumiceD Foor.—Consists in the falling back
: of the coffin bone on the sole of the foot being the
result of an elongation or partial separation of the
. little horny plates of the sensitive part of the
“foot. It is usually caused by severe inflammation
or by much battering of the feet on the pavement.
; Quippinc.—The act of partially chewing the
i food and then allowing it to fall from the mouth.
Sore throat or irregularity of the teeth are its usual
"causes,
} Quitror.—A sore resulting from tread or over-
reach, It may also be the result of any wound to
_ the foot, or to any part of it, causing the secretion
. of pus followed by ulceration.

RING-BONE.—A deposit of bony matter in one
of the pasterns. It is usually near the joint.

When spread it involves not only the pastern-bones,

44

but also the cartilages of the foot, going around
the pastern and the cartilages and from this circum-
stance it derives its name, 7

SAND-CRACK.—A division of the hoof from above
downward, into which sand and dirt insinuate them-
selves. Hence itsname, Inexamining for sand-
crack look well to the inner quarter of the foot,
for some low dealers neatly cover a sand-crack with
wax or tar, and then by oiling the hoof so entirely
conceal the injury that an incautious person might
easily be deceived.

THRusH.—A discharge of offensive matter from
the cleft of the frog, it is caused by inflamation of
the lower or sensitive frog during which pus is
thrown out together with, or instead of horn.

THOROUGH-Pin.—A round swelling above the
hock and situated between the tendons thus pro-
jecting on both sides of the hock, caused BSS hard
work and over exertion.

Winp-GaLis.—Are enlargements which are
usually found in the neighborhood of the fetlock
joints they are the result of hard work, or sprains,

undue pressure on the part.

non eet heel sil Sci err ear tmtnentlnmemetentient o