THE HORSE. 33 



though they may sometimes be cured by remov- 

 ing the shoes, and giving him a free run of six 

 or eight months in a pasture of soft ground ; if 

 he be then properly shod, and used on country 

 roads only, he may become permanently ser- 

 viceable. There is, however, considerable risk 

 in buying a horse, that has corns, and the pur- 

 chaser should remember the Oriental proverb 

 just referred to, and not forget the veterinary 

 surgeon. 



Before paying for a horse, the lady should 

 insist upon having him on trial for at least a 

 month, that she may have an opportunity of 

 discovering his vices or defects, if any such ex- 

 ist. She must be careful not to condemn him 

 too hastily, and should, when trying him, make 

 due allowance for his change of quarters and 

 also for the novelty of carrying a new rider, as 

 some horses are very nervous until they become 

 well acquainted with their riders. Should the 

 horse's movements prove rough, should he be 

 found hard-mouthed, or should any indications 

 of unsoundness or viciousness be detected, he 

 should be immediately returned to his owner. 

 It must be remembered, however, that very few 

 horses are perfect, and that minor defects may, 

 in most instances, be overlooked if the essen- 

 tials are secured. Before rejecting the horse, 



3 



