54 now TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



in the former formations, and the disposition to 

 sprains and lameness in the lower joints is aug- 

 mented. 



HINTS TO THE PUKCHASEU OF A HORSE. 



Having examined those qualities of the horse, 

 constituting his pi'opelling powers, let us aciiuaint 

 ourselves now with some advantages and resources 

 for the judging of the whole framework. 



One of the first rules, in judging horses, is to place 

 the horse on level ground. If the horse is placed on 

 an incline, with legs stretched, it a]ipears higher in 

 front, the shoulders ajipear more oblique, the fore 

 legs, even if already slightl}- knee-sprung and 

 shaggy, look straight and safe ; the back and the 

 croup of the hoi'se appear horizontal, the space 

 between belly and ground gets smaller, and the 

 distance between hind and front hoofs larger. A 

 general comparison of the proportions must be the 

 first step. A perfectly, regularly built horse should 

 not make the impression of being remarkably tall 

 nor remarkably small, else, there are in both cases, 

 certain disiiroportions. A horse, appearing very 

 tall, is generally long-legged and narrow-chested, 

 while a horse, looking verj' small, is generally too 

 long-bodied. 



Ihe shape and size of the head is in itself very 



