68 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



have returned to the stable, whether he " dries off 

 quickly," which a horse of sound constitution does 

 when in perfect health. Watch him also carefully 

 when he is being taken from the stall, and while the 

 harness is being put upon him: you will in this way 

 ascertain his temper, and detect any thing that may 

 be undesirable about him. 



Above all, in dealing, deal, as far as possible, only 

 with honorable men. Act so as to live above the hint 

 or suspicion of dishonesty yourself No gentleman will 

 have anything to do with a mere jockey ; and the worst 

 reputation that a breeder can get is one for cunning 

 and trickery. Such a breeder will find it hard work to 

 sell his colts. Everybody suspects him. He may have 

 a fine young horse ; but his evil reputation makes men 

 shun him, because they fear they shall get cheated if 

 they buy of him. In no business does honesty pay 

 more surely, or larger dividends, than in the horse- 

 business ; and the reason is, because gentlemen who pay 

 liberally for young horses are very often distrustful of 

 their own ability to judge as to the merits of a horse, 

 and so, naturally, desire to purchase of men whose word 

 they can depend upon. No breeder or horse-dealer in 

 regular business can afford to cheat, even if he has no 

 conscience to restrain him from so doing. Raise good 

 colts, and keep a good character, and you will make 

 money by breeding. 



I cannot resist the inclination to put on record in 

 this place and manner my strong protest against the 



