170 HORSEMAXSHIP. 



him moderately well is not an accomplishment vouchsafed 

 to or attained by the majority of horse-owners, the purchasing 

 part of the programme is by far the most difficult. The 

 advice I would offer the majority of my readers is, ^'- Never 

 buy for yourself r The friend, if he be thoroughly reliable 

 — a rara avis in this greedy, clutching world — may, most 

 probably will, by his superior tact, judgment, and experience, 

 save you from five-and-twenty to fifty per cent, on the deal. 



Having made up your mind to ask your friend to " find 

 you something," and having fully explained what sort of 

 animal you want, the work expected from the quadruped, 

 and arranged as to price, give him carte blanche to buy out- 

 right. Do not suppose for a moment that such a man will 

 bother himself to run through the various dealers' stables, to 

 see what is up at Tattersall's, or perhaps train it into the 

 country, merely for you to look at, find fault with, and re- 

 ject. Speaking for myself, I would any day sooner buy for 

 a downright good judge than for a know-nothing who rather 

 fancies himself, and is above taking a wrinkle from one who 

 has forgotten more, perhaps, than he ever knew. Somebody 

 wrote veiy sagely that "pride costs us more than hunger, 

 thirst, or cold." Xo inexperienced gentleman can cope 

 with the tricksters and copers of the trade, and should he 

 attempt it, will assuredly pay heavily for his folly. 



No trusty friend available, the next best step, provided 

 money be no particular object, is to go to some dealer of 

 character or responsibility, state your requirements and 

 figure, and place yourself unreservedly in his hands. If 

 possible, get yourself introduced by some good and valued 

 customer whose patronage is worth retaining. Men of this 

 class do exist, but are hard to find. In purchasing from a 

 dealer you must be prepared for a flood of eloquence, to be 

 asked a price long beyond the horse's intrinsic value, and 



