214 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



Never on any account look for or even at any of 

 these advertised bargains in a private stable. A 

 good horse has a market value and a dealer 

 knows it thoroughly. When he offers to sell below 

 that value, you may depend upon it that he is try- 

 ing to cheat you by imposing upon your igno- 

 rance. Having determined what kind of a horse 

 you want, and what kind of work you purpose 

 doing with a horse, go to a dealer and tell him 

 all about it just as you would to your lawyer or 

 doctor. He will show you horses and quote prices. 

 If the prices are higher than you care to pay tell 

 him that also, and he will show you others. He 

 usually begins with the higher-priced horses, un- 

 less he "sizes you up" as lean of pocket-book. 

 But in a large establishment the price you have 

 fixed in your own mind is likely to be arrived at 

 very quickly. Then you must determine whether 

 the horse shown to you is of the quality you de- 

 sire. But be not deceived by the hope that you 

 can get a very superior and well-trained horse for 

 very much less than he is worth. This can often be 

 done with green horses. By green horses, I do not 

 mean unbroken horses, but horses that have not 



