ELEMENTS OF HIPPO LOGY. 



213 



A Study in Conformation. 

 Courtesy of Otto Eerelman. 



It is a surprising fact that most purchasers want to buy a 

 fat horse. This is a failing that, to be successful, dealers must 

 meet by fattening their horses into what is called selling condi- 

 tion. Horses in this fat, smooth condition cannot be put to 

 hardjwork at once; they are more subject to inflammatory dis- 

 eases than when properly hardened to their work, and, more 

 than all, the fat cov: rs up defects of conformation that would 

 be apparent in working condition. 



It is always best to see the horse you are thinking of buying 

 in his own stall, when he has not been prepared for your visit. 

 You can then inspect him for such stable vices as cribbing, 

 weaving, or kicking. 



Cribbing is an injurious habit of seizing with the teeth the 

 manger, halter-strap, or woodwork of the stall, or any similar 



