SOME "DOWTS" FOR BUYERS. 159 



may gain much useful and inexpensive experience before the 

 fatal nod is given to the auctioneer and is acknowledged by 

 the reply, " The horse is yours, sir." 



The average auction veterinarian is a disgrace to the 

 profession he represents ; and although it is absolutely essen- 

 tial that the inexperienced buyer should obtain some expert 

 opinion as to the age, state of health and soundness of the 

 horse or horses under consideration, such an examination 

 should be made by a capable and trustworthy veterinary 

 surgeon. 



SOME " DON'TS " FOR BUYERS. 



Don't buy for yourself unless it is impossible to obtain 

 trustworthy counsel. 



Don't buy of a friend ; there is a saying " that a man will 

 cheat a brother in horseflesh." 



Don't buy of an owner who refuses to have his horses 

 examined by your veterinary surgeon. 



Don't buy a horse with any physical defects. Some 

 slight additional breaking down may render the animal 

 useless. 



Don't buy an unreasonably cheap horse, the chances are 

 nine to ten that for some reason the price asked is more than 

 he is worth. 



Don't buy a horse in haste to prevent that very vague 

 somebody else from getting him. 



Don't look at a bad horse with the hope that he may 

 have sufficient redeeming points to. counterbalance his 

 defects. 



Don't take a horse on trial when half the asking price, 

 but twice his value, is required as security. 



