HOW TO BUY A HORSE. 407 



purchaser must particularly attend to, all or any of which 

 dealers will be at no loss to account for. Disbelieve all 

 their eloquent excuses ; err on the safe side by rejecting the 

 purchase. Sweeping as this condemnation may be thought, 

 it is unfortunately too true that this class of men are not to 

 be depended upon ; and considering the risks which they 

 themselves are liable to, it is not to be wondered at. If 

 the legs exhibit any sign of having been bandaged, a well- 

 grounded suspicion may be entertained that all is not right. 



Besides the points to which we have directed atten- 

 tion in the examination of the mouth, are the teeth, 

 whereby the age of the horse is determined. Take care 

 that he has not been Bishoped, (231); or had a tooth ex- 

 tracted, (218.) The different changes of these we have 

 very fully described at page 210. But besides the dental 

 indications, the physical signs of age must also be looked 

 to ; because a young horse may have been early and hard 

 worked, and to that extent that he is to all intents and 

 purposes aged in strength and -action. When heated by 

 being trotted or galloped, all his infirmities will disappear ; 

 but these will re-appear whenever he is again cooled down. 



A horse with an upright shoulder is more fitted for harness 

 than riding ; and a sloping one is best adapted for riding, 

 from having generally better action and less of his own 

 weight to sustain on his fore legs. A long-necked horse is 

 generally admired ; but we consider this a fault, as such are 

 generally weak, and are predisposed to roaring. Short- 

 necked horses are for the most part clear in the wind ; but 

 one of medium length should be preferred. When the head 

 joins the neck at too sharp an angle, it is always disagree- 

 able to the eye. Horses whose limbs have marks of having 

 been fired, should never be purchased but at a low price, for 

 it is a proof of disease ; although many horses will work 



