POCKET FARRIER, 



TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. 



If you meet with a horse you like and are desirous 

 of buying him ; do not fall in love with him before you 

 ride him, for though he may be handsome, he may start 

 or stumble. 



TO DISCOVER A STUMBLER. 



If you g-o to buy of one that knows you, it is not 

 unreasonable to desire to ride him for an hour. If 

 refused, you may expect he has some faults ; if not, 

 mount him at the door of the stable where he stands ; 

 let him neither feel your spurs, nor see your whip ; mount 

 him easily, and when seated, go gently off with a loose 

 rein, which will make him careless ; and if he is a 

 stumbler, he will discover himself presently, especially 

 if the road in which you ride him be any way rough. 



The best horse indeed may stumble, (a young one of 

 spirit, if not properly broken in, will frequently ; and yet, 

 if he moves nimbly upon the bit, dividing his legs true, 

 he may become a very good saddle horse) the best horse, 

 I say, may stumble, but if he springs out, when he 

 stumbles, as if he feared your whip or spur, depend upon 

 it, he is an old offender. A horse should never be struck 

 for stumbling or starting : the provocation, I confess, is 

 great ; but the fear of corrrection makes him worse. 



39 



