Under any circumstances if the horse is required for 

 immediate work do not buy a young one ; and it must be 

 remembered that if the animal must grow into money, it is 

 absolutely necessary to keep clear of an aged one. If the 

 horse has once been down, or fallen upon its knees whilst 

 being driven, it is very likely to come down again ; and 

 the same rule applies to its running away, or what is 

 commonly known as bolting. Shying is not a very 

 serious matter in the hands of an experienced whip. In 

 any case, if the purchase be an high priced one, a 

 veterinary inspection is necessary, and a warranty, the 

 general rule. 



Should the seller shew an extreme anxiety to hurry 

 the sale, or display the slightest irritability or impatience 

 at the purchaser s enquiries, examinations, &c., the business 

 with him is better concluded at once, and the horse left in 

 his possession ; forcing the sale, by the aid of displays of 

 temper and sometimes insult, is an evident sign that "all is 

 not right above board." In selecting your horse, the first 

 consideration should be the class or character of work 

 intended for it to do ; the size, make and proportion of the 

 horse should be at all times in exact harmony with the 

 weight expected to be moved with ease. As regards the 

 colour, dark horses are mostly preferred ; light coloured 

 horses are generally, it is said, more weak and nervous 

 tempered ; mares are not, as a rule, selected or chosen on 

 account of their being at times of uncertain disposition, 

 but the writer has no choice in that particular respect, 

 having as much affection for, and confidence in, the mare 

 as the horse. 



Piebald or skuebald horses are not in much demand 

 excepting for public exhibitions, &c., because of their 

 conspicuous colour. 



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