178 



them ; and they come up in the sprnig perfect scare-crows, so rough 

 and lean, that the following summer's run will scarcely recover their 

 Goiidition. Nor is this all ; aged Horses, far gone in wear and tear, 

 are rendered totally useless by such wintering; and whatever may 

 be the particular cause, chronic lameness frequently becomes worse 

 abroad, although turning off be the best and most certain (Mjre, for that 

 which is curable. Finally, good -wintering consists in a sufficient al- 

 lowance of good hay, with the straw, and if a small daily feed of corn 

 were allowed, 1 know not that it would leave a penny minus in the 

 owner's pocket, since he would find it in the improved condition of liis 

 Horse, which would return to stable fit for immediate work. A 

 range of dry land, straw-yards, and sheds, complete the winter quarters 

 of the Horse; and it is surely a most convenient plan, for those who 

 seldom ride in that season, to turn a Horse oftj where, if kept in the 

 best style here mentioned, he will cost far less than in the stable, beside 

 the great object of his health, and probable addition of some years 

 to his services. Carrots and straw certainly make good straw-yard 

 provender, and even the addition of turnips, with their succulence, 

 make amends for the dryness of the straw. Occasional inspection 

 should be made, of the treatment and condition of Horses whilst at 

 straw-yard. 



In the PURCHASE of a Florse, the appearance of which may be suit- 

 able, the first object is his soundness ; the next, whether he will perform 

 his duty quietly ; and farther, his age, whether old eno\]gh for labour, 

 or in what degree he may be affected by that which he has already 

 done. 



By custom. Horses are either warranted sound, or sold with all de- 

 fects, uuAvarranted. It was formerly the opinion of some, that a sound 

 price, namely, upwards often pounds, was in itself a sufficient warrant 

 of soundness ; but that position, never general!}^ received, had lost 

 ground, and seems to be totally discountenanced by a late decision in 

 Norfolk, when the judge ridiculed such a notion, and decided in favour 

 of the old principle and practice of warrant}'. 



The sound w-arrant, w hether in writing, joined with the receipt for 

 the [)rice, far the safest mode, or given orally before a witness, may be 



simple. 



