72 THE HORSE. 



ued them in proportion to the amount of fat they carry. 

 Of course this is an error; but improvement is beginning, 

 for the dealers m live meat do certainly look for many 

 things now besides fat, and they are right. 



Perhaps this place is as good as any other to remark 

 upon the absurdity of buying an animal that had once 

 in his life performed a particular feat, instead of seeking 

 to possess horses of capacity for general usefulness. As 

 well accept for man-servant a decrepid old man who once 

 in his life was most active and had done the state some 

 service. Choose a horse, as you would a man, for his 

 ability and willingness; then husband his resources, and 

 you may have a good and faithful servant for many years. 



SURFEIT. 



Should surfeit amount to more than a few spots upon 

 the outside of the quarters, particularly the hind quar- 

 ters, it is of little :^onsequence. If you are desirous of hav- 

 ing the horse, but from the number of spots upon him 

 you apprehend farcy, it will be advisable in making the 

 bargain to stipulate for a cure of the disease within a 

 fortnight. AVith proper treatment, the mere surfeit 

 may be cured in that time. Until cured, however, the 

 horse is Unsound. 



BLEEDIKG. 



Accepting the definition of soundness that it is perfect 

 health, whilst every deviation is indicative of unsound- 

 ness, then the simple necessity for drawing blood renders 

 the horse unsound, and consequently, until the orifice 

 made by the lancet is liealed, he is Unsound. 



