HOW TO BUY AND SELL. 35 



bone is enlarged without any bald place to assist in detect- 

 ing the habit, at others the skin only is cut; sometimes 

 both. Like other enlargements, it may increase from an 

 almost imperceptible size and little inconvenience, to a 

 size both conspicuous and unsightly, as well as dangerous. 



Speedy cut is occasioned by the horse twisting his legs 

 in action, so as to strike the shoe or foot of the one leg 

 against the knee of the other. It is done when the horse 

 is going faster, or being driven more up to the bit, at the 

 same time stepping higher, than he is capable of doing 

 with propriety. 



Horses given to this action are mostly good-cou raged, 

 and a thorough horseman who knows how to make them 

 step without touching, at the same time bringing out 

 their good qualities, sometimes obtains a pleasant horse 

 quite cheaply. 



To others than good horsemen, such animals are very 

 dangerous — dear at a gift. Boots are a little safeguard. 

 Down hill is their worst chance, and the attempt at hold- 

 ing them up, except by the thorough horseman, too often 

 brings them down. 



Reject them if you value your limbs and neck, although 

 they are allowed to be sound; and properly so, where 

 they are capable of going at the usual pace without 

 inconvenience, performing the usual work of horses of 

 their class (not speedy cutters) with ordinary usage, 

 without the necessity of boots or more than ordinary 

 care. But where, as is frequently the case, the horse 

 cannot travel usual distances at the ordinary pace, Avith 

 the common rate of horsemen, without seriously cutting 

 and otherwise endangering himself, there ought to be a 

 difference; I myself do not believe that he is sound. I 

 would recommend the seller, where there is the least 

 tendency to this defect, always to except speedy cutting 

 in his receipt; otherwise, he is likely to get into a 

 dilemma. The door is open for dispute. Where is the 



