698 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



thirty-one; but these are very rare instances. From the commonly hard usage that the horse 

 receives, he rarely ever lives beyond the age of twenty-five or thirty; in fact, many horses are 

 subjected to such severe labor, and so much abused, that they are old and decrepit at thirteen 

 or fourteen years of age. 



Color. The color may seem an unimportant point to some persons in regard to a horse, 

 providing he be really a valuable animal ; but to individuals of fastidious taste, and who have 

 an eye for beauty, an undesirable color would prove a serious objection. It is generally con 

 ceded that bay, chestnut, dark brown, and black are the most desirable colors in a horse, the 

 preference being in the order in which we have given, and, other conditions being equal, 

 horses of these colors will bring a higher price in market than those commonly considered 

 less desirable, such as white, light gray, light sorrel, cream-colored, spotted, etc. A dark 

 bay, with no white about him, and with black tail, mane, anjj. legs from the knees and hocks 

 down, is generally conceded by horse-fanciers to be the most beautiful color, while the chest 

 nut and dark brown might be regarded next in order in this respect. 



Hints to Purchasers of Horses. It would be impossible to lay down any definite 

 rules with respect to judging of the fine points in a horse that would take the place of the 

 experienced and practiced eye of the skilled horseman; but a few hints may be given which 

 will prove of value to the inexperienced in this respect. The first thing to be determined 

 before purchasing a horse is the kind of an animal necessary, and that will be adapted to the 

 labor required of him. This will involve the consideration of size, form, strength, endu 

 rance, temperament, disposition, color, and various other things which have already been 

 definitely treated in the preceding pages of this department of the work. We would advise, 

 first, in all cases to examine carefully the head, note the expression of the eye, and determine 

 the disposition and temperament of the animal, after which the other qualities. The follow 

 ing directions to inexperienced purchasers of horses, given in a treatise on the horse, by D. 

 C. Linsley, of Vermont, will be found of value to many: 



&quot; When the purchaser is unaccustomed to horses, we would advise him, after determining 

 what kind of a horse he wants, to engage some reliable person to assist him who has had 

 more experience, especially if he is about to purchase of a stranger, for in the latter case he 

 will not only be liable to misjudge as to the justness of the animal s proportions, but also as 

 to the soundness and vices, for a vast number of faults and defects may, by artful jockeys, 

 be concealed from the inexperienced eye, and sometimes even from the closest and most 

 intelligent examination. 



If, however, the purchaser avail himself of no such assistance, or chooses to trust to his 

 own judgment, he cannot be too cautious. When you enter the stable, observe carefully the 

 way in which the owner approaches his horse. If, as soon as he comes within hearing, he 

 speaks to him in a loud, sharp voice that makes the horse spring up in his stall as if fright 

 ened, look out for some defect in his limbs. If much lame, it will be seen when he is moved ; 

 but if the lameness is very slight, you may not notice it. If the owner comes up to the horse 

 very carefully, and seems a little cautious about going into the stall where he is, you may 

 justly suspect that he is not kind and pleasant-tempered. If he approaches the horse in an 

 easy, careless, but quiet way, you may reasonably expect that the horse has no such vices to 

 hide, and you will not suspect him of lameness, though it should not prevent your watching 

 carefully every motion of his limbs to see if you can detect it. 



Mark how the horse stands, how he is hitched, and what kind of a halter he has on. If 

 he stands with one of his fore-feet far in advance of the other, look out for founder. If 

 he is fastened with more than ordinary \;are, see if you can observe any signs of his having 

 attempted to untie his halter with his teeth. If the halter is fastened very tight round his 

 throat, he may have a trick of slipping it off, or he may be a cribber. A large strap, buckled 

 close round the throat, will often prevent cribbing. 



