HOW TO KNOW HIM. 67 



advertises a man's incompetency for any thing higher. 

 Another caution is this : Never purchase a horse until 

 you have seen him move, and under the same condi- 

 tions to which he will be exposed in the service you 

 will expect of him. If for a draught, see him draw, 

 back, and turn round in both directions ; if for the 

 road, see how he handles himself, not merely on level 

 ground, but on going up sharp declivities, and, above 

 all, in descending them. In this way you will ascer- 

 tain the faults or excellences of both his temper and 

 structure. 



In these exercises drive him yourself. The reins in 

 a skilful hand, aided by the whip or mouth, can be 

 made to conceal grave defects. Let him move with a 

 loose rein, so that he may take his natural gait, and not 

 his artificial ; for, by so doing, you will detect any mis- 

 takes of judgment that you may have made when look- 

 ing him over in a state of inactivity. Many a time 

 unsoundness will appear in motion^ which no inspection 

 of the eye and finger, however close, can ascertain. 

 When you have walked him and jogged him, if he is to 

 serve any other than mere di^aught-purposes, put him to 

 his speed, and keep him at it for a sufficient distance 

 to test his breathing capacity : then pull him up ; jump 

 from the wagon, and look at his flanks ; inspect his 

 nostrils ; and put your ear close to the side of his chest, 

 in order to ascertain if the action of the heart is 

 normal. If this exercise has caused him to perspire 

 freely, all the better ; for you can then see, when you 



