PRECAUTIONS IN BUYING A HORSE 97 



By inserting a few grains of pepper into the 

 anus of the horse shortly before an examination, 

 he is made to carry his tail like the noblest ani- 

 mal, his gait is more nimble, he looks sprightly, 

 and seems more valuable than a common horse. 



The effect of the whip is well known, and is par- 

 ticularly useful in the hands of an experienced 

 jockey. In purchasing a horse, this point is to be 

 well considered lest we should pay for an apparent 

 value which would disappear again sooner or later 

 and leave us to regret our money. Hence I advise 

 those who do not understand this business to con- 

 sult an experienced and trustworthy friend instead 

 of depending upon their own judgment in such a 

 dubious matter. 



SHOEING, 



Improper shoeing is very often the cause of a 

 defect in the hoof. It is of particular importance 

 that the sides should not be rasped off too much 

 or that the sole should not be cut out too much, 

 nor that the shoes should be burnt on too contin- 

 uously, as shoe-smiths are too much in the habit 

 of doing. The shoe must neither be too heavy 

 nor too coarse ; they ought to be of equal thick- 

 ness and be applied equally to the horny part of 

 the hoof. There are several methods of shoeing, 

 and every one prefers his own method to any 

 other ; but it is evident that no general rules for 

 shoeing can be laid down, but that the method of 

 shoeing depends upon the shape and condition of 

 the hoof, upon its defects, upon the posture and 

 movements of the horse, upon the uses to which 



