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that of a cow. It is not uncommon in fast horses, 

 but I am not aware that it indicates unsoundness, 

 though it is commonly said to render a horse more 

 liable to spavin and thorough-pin. 



The ostler and the dealer together, almost 

 always contrive to put the horse to his full trot, 

 when shown. The object of this is to conceal 

 lameness. To examine a horse's action fairly, he 

 should be allowed to walk and trot down the ride 

 quite at his own pace, and with the head unre- 

 strained : the pace should not exceed five or six 

 miles an hour: and if you can prevail on the 

 dealer to lay aside the whip (a very difficult 

 matter), it will greatly facilitate your observation. 

 I need scarcely add that the trial should be re- 

 peated on the stones or hard road ; for a horse 

 must be tender-footed indeed, to show lame when 

 running down the straw. 



There is a peculiar appearance about the legs 

 in some instances ; it is called by the dealers 

 " grogginess.'' Where the fore leg inclines a 

 little forward at the knee, or is readily bent at the 

 least touch behind the knee, it is termed " knuck- 

 ling." I have seen very young horses show this 

 deformity before they have been backed ; but if, 

 in addition to this, there is a tremulous, tottering 

 motion of the limb, it is a decided proof that the 



