456 CHAPTER 60. 



Again, .many high-couragcd sensitive horses become vicious from rough 

 or awkward usage. The original fault more often lies in the usage than 

 in the animal. A bad rider or an ill-tempered man had better get an 

 imder-bred slug. 



937ft. Conclusion. 



We shall conclude these remarks by observing that neither frame nor 

 constitution is of much use without good condition. This latter great 

 essential can only be obtained by good grooming, careful and regular 

 feeding on the best forage, strong and regular exercise, fresh wholesome 

 air in the stables, and general good management. 



HINTS ON PURCHASE OF RIDING HORSES. 



A horse should be rejected for any one really bad fault. The greatest 

 strength of a horse is limited by his worst point. Horses are often 

 bought because they possess one or more very good points. This is a 

 wrong principle in buying. The selection of horses should begin by 

 rejection for bad points. Bad points are of course, in a great measure, 

 a question of degree. Discretion is needed in rejecting as well as buying. 



1. In measuring a horse or judging of his height and size by sight, 

 take care that he stands on a level with yourself. Dealers generally 

 stand a horse, if under-sized, on higher ground, or if over-sized on lower 

 ground than the intending purchaser. 



2. Want of a fair amount of breeding should be an absolute bar. 



3. Reject a horse with a big coarse head. 



4 with a small sunken eye. They are generally ob- 

 stinate and sulky. 



5 of a colour light of the sort. 



6. with a long slack back. It will not carry weight. 



7 with a hollow back. The formation is weak. 



8 with flat sides. They will not do work or look well. 



9 with a slack loin, i. e. undue length between the 



last ribs and hind quarters (sacrum). They are 

 often bad feeders and will run up light with work. 



10 with a light loin, i. e. want of breadth over the 



loins. . They run up light with work. 



11 with scraggy hips. They never do credit to feeding, 



particularly if also slack in the loins. 



12 with a bad girth, i.e. "light through the heart." 



This formation will always cause trouble in saddling. 



13 with a thick or short neck. 



14. unless it has a good Rein. With a clumsy neck 



the head is in consequence badly set on. Without 



