62 RAREY ON HORSE-TAMING. 



In the next place, examine the Teeth, as you 

 would not wish to purchase an old horse, nor a very 

 young one for service. 



The Feet should next be regarded ; for a horse 

 with bad feet is like a house with a weak founda- 

 tion, and will do little service. The feet should be 

 smooth and tough, of a middle size, without wrinkles, 

 and neither too hard and brittle, nor too soft ; the 

 Heels should be firm, and not spongy and rotten ; 

 the Frogs horny and dry ; the Soles somewhat hol- 

 low, like the inside of a dish or bowl. Such feet will 

 never disappoint your expectations, and such only 

 should be chosen. 



Particular regard should be had to the Shoul- 

 ders ; they should not be too much loaded, for a 

 horse with heavy shoulders can never move well ; 

 and on the other hand, one that has very thin shoul- 

 ders, and a narrow chest, though he may move 

 briskly so long as he is sound, yet he is generally 

 weak, and easily lamed in the shoulders ; a medium 

 should therefore be chosen. 



The Body, or Carcass, should neither be too small 

 nor too large. The Back should be straight, or 

 have only a moderate sinking below the Withers : 

 for when the back of a horse is low, or higher be- 

 hind than before, it is both very ugly and a sign of 

 weakness. The back should also be a proper length. 

 The Rihs should be large, the Flanks smooth and 

 full, and the Hind-parts, or uppermost Haunches 

 not higher than the shoulders. WHien the horse 

 trots before you, observe if his haunches cover his 



