PRETACE. XXV 



It is true that some difficulty may subse- 

 quently arise in proving a lameness to have 

 originated in any particular part of the 

 limb; but, when an ostensible cause exists, 

 it surely cannot be unreasonable to attribute 

 it to that cause. With respect to the length 

 of time that ought to be allowed to ascer- 

 tain the soundness of a liorse, or, in other 

 words, the length of time between the de- 

 hvery and the return, various opinions have 

 been held. At Tattersall's and Aldridge's 

 repositories, in London, I believe, not more 

 than three days are given, from the time of 

 sale; in other places, a week or fortnight. 



It is difficult, however, to decide on the 

 proper period, as much must depend on the 

 distance between the place of sale and the 

 residence of the purchaser, which, of course, 

 must require more or less time for the re- 

 turn, according to circumstances. Sellers 

 of horses are subject to much unfair treat- 

 ment froin grooms and coachmen, if tliey 

 neglect to present those gentlemen with the 

 accustomed fee, or if the amount does not 

 happen to accord with their expectations. 

 In cases where this ceremony has been 

 omitted, the animal undergoes every species 

 of violence, in order to render him unsound, 



