INTEODUCTION. 7 



covered with quite more serious defects than with 

 that little gall, which held them back from the pur- 

 chase of the other horse. 



The desire, though unjustified, to buy only young 

 horses, may have its origin partly in that the age of 

 a horse by its teeth can only be judged with accuracy 

 up to its eighth year, and, therefore, the purchaser 

 is afraid to buy a Methusalah, and partly in the 

 mistaken belief that every step the horse has taken 

 in his life be a consummation to be subtracted from 

 its value. But, in reality, the properly conducted 

 work, instead of causing deterioration, is a necessity 

 for the development and strengthening of the horse's 

 powers. The whole appearance of the animal tells 

 better than its teeth whether it is in its decline, and 

 as in the human race there are young weaklings in 

 horses. 



The judging of the abilities of the horse accord- 

 ing to its proportions and the position of its legs 

 shall form the nucleus of this treatise. 



