608 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



inexperienced lacks a correct idea of the animal suited to his 

 business. In fact, he does not know a good horse when he sees 

 it. He is as likely to buy a diseased horse as a sound one. If 

 he needs one for his plow or cart, he may buy an upheaded, 

 long backed, nervous brute, wholly unfit for his use. The first 

 thing, is to know what you want. This necessitates considera- 

 tion of size, form, make, power, endurance, temperament, dispo- 

 sition, and avoidance of defects and disabilities named before. 



Notice first the head, the eye its expression, form, color 

 and condition. By the head and eye you are to judge of the 

 temperament and disposition and qualities. This word qualities 

 means much ; of its full import and value you can not tell with- 

 out extended trial. 



If the buyer is not acquainted with the horse and owner, 

 and has little or no experience in buying, he will fare better to 

 employ an expert to buy for him. The faults, defects, and 

 vices of horses and men are so numerous, and sellers are so 

 artful in covering up, that even the shrewdest and most experi- 

 enced buyers are deceived at times. 



If the head and eyes are satisfactory, next scrutinize the 

 legs and feet. See that the legs are not too long, that they are 

 set under the horse properly, that the fore legs are straight from 

 elbow to pastern, well muscled, knee broad and well articulated ; 

 that they are short between the knee and pastern, flat, clean, 

 bony, sinuous, and muscles strong and well defined. If the 

 muscles are properly developed, stand boldly out from the bone, 

 and are free from fattiness, they can be traced by the eye. The 

 hind leg must not be crooked, the hock must be deep, clean, and 

 strong. The horse must stand squarely, on four legs, and 

 equally, and they must not be stretched too far apart or 

 gathered too much under him. Notice if the limbs are clean, 

 free from bunches or lumps. After the eye, pass the half closed 

 hand down each leg, carefully, with moderate pressure, to learn 

 if there are bunches or scars or splint or windgalls concealed by 

 hair. Give special care to the hocks, for spavins, curbs and 

 thorough pin, which disfigure and depreciate, though they may not 

 hinder usefulness. If at any lump or enlargement there is sore- 



