1 76 ITORSEMA NSHIP. 



whence he came the better. If he shies have nothing to 

 do with him ; it is a dangerous vice, the outcome of defec- 

 tive vision or nervousness. A sudden, abrupt shy has a 

 strong unseating tendency. 



When the purchaser has satisfied himself as fully as above 

 recommended, he should, having arranged the price at some- 

 thing like thirty per cent, below that asked, call in his own 

 veterinary surgeon for a crucial examination of the eyes, 

 feet, and mouth. It will be this practitioner's duty to point 

 out what unsoundness, if any, exists, and to give his opinion 

 as to the extent, present and future, to which it may militate 

 from the horse's usefulness. Horses are " kittle cattle," and 

 the ''tricks of the trade" many and clever. Despite every 

 precaution there must always be an element of luck and 

 risk attending horse-dealing. There is a strong tendency 

 among dealers in horseflesh to hold back a something. The 

 veterinary surgeon, be he ever so clever and experienced, is 

 not omniscient. For all he knows, the animal may be 

 subject to megrims or staggers, an affection fatal to a horse's 

 use under the saddle ; or he may have dust or stone balls in 

 his bowels, and so suffer from frequent attacks of colic or 

 gripes. Tvlany an unsoundness, bad habits, tricks, and 

 objectionable features only crop up weeks after the purchase 

 has been completed. 



The tyro is often puzzled in his endeavours to determine 

 the exact cause and seat of lameness* An experienced 

 judge, with his practised quick eye, will be able to locate it 

 almost at a glance ; but he learned his lesson, very probably 

 paying dearly for it, and so must the novice. The following 

 wrinkles may be of use. The lameness of a fore leg, either 

 near or off, is indicated by what is termed "nodding" of 

 the head, and is very much on all fours with the flinching 

 gait or hobble of the biped when his poor feet are sore or ' 



