CHAPTER III. 



The few instances which I have given, will suffice 

 to show the value of a little practical knowledge in 

 examining a horse, however respectable the seller 

 may be. 



I do not pretend to be myself very scientific in 

 the matter ; and if I were, it would not be easy to 

 convey such knowledge on paper. What they call 

 in the anatomical schools " demonstration," is indis- 

 pensable to scientific knowledge. There are how- 

 ever some criteria so obvious, and so simple, that any 

 sensible man with a correct eye and a discriminating 

 touch, may apply them. Horse-dealing is perhaps 

 the only subject that contradicts Pope's maxim, 

 " A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." 



The first point to which I should direct a pur- 

 chaser's attention, is the size and apparent strength 

 of the horse. This is a matter on which every man 



