Extract from "Animal Management." Respiration. In a horse the air is drawn through the nostrils only.

It is as well to be a confident judge of a whistler, as disputes on this point are not uncommon. Anyone who is slightly deaf will often fail to detect a slight whistler.

High Blowing

High blowing must not be confused with whistling. The former is a noise caused by the air passing through the nostrils, and is more pronounced in some horses than others.

Whistling

Whistling is the noise made during excessive breathing, when one or both sides of the larynx are paralysed. It is easily detected by experience. It may be either a shrill or low-toned whistle emanating from the throat. It can generally be heard when a horse is cantering slowly on a small circle. In some cases it is more noticeable after a good gallop.

Roaring

Roaring is the more aggravated form of whistling, and generally develops from the latter.

Broken Wind

This is an affection of the lungs, and the horse's expiration is under considerable difficulty. It is easily noticeable on watching the flanks. Affections of the wind are due to many causes, i.e. due to breeding from unsound parents, overwork when out of condition, indiscreet feeding, sudden change of diet, badly ventilated stables, the results of chills, influenza, etc., possibly from horses being overbent, climatic conditions: this latter cause alone being beyond human control.

Whisping

Whisping indirectly helps a horse's digestion, and may keep off chills. It is essential for conditioning a horse. It stimulates the skin, invigorates the circulation, and has a healthy effect on the oil-glands. It is a form of massage, and will make the coat glossy and increase the muscle.