34 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



the lady should also be very sure that the faults 

 to which she objects are not due to her own 

 mismanagement of him. But if she decides 

 that she is not at fault, no amount of persua- 

 sion should induce her to purchase. In justice 

 to the owner of the horse, he ought to be rea- 

 sonably paid for the time and services of his 

 rejected animal ; but if it be decided to keep 

 the horse, then only the purchase-money orig- 

 inally agreed upon should be paid. 



The surest and best way of securing a good 

 saddle-horse is to purchase, from one of the cele- 

 brated breeding farms, a w^ell-shaped four-year- 

 old colt of good breed, and have him taught 

 the gaits and style of movement required. 

 Great care should be taken in the selection of 

 his teacher, for if the colt's temper be spoiled 

 by injudicious treatment, he will be completely 

 ruined for a lady's use. A riding-school teacher 

 will generally understand all the requirements 

 necessary for a lady's saddle-horse, and may be 

 safely intrusted wuth the animal's education. 

 If no riding-school master of established reputa- 

 tion as a trainer can be had, it may be possible 

 to secure the services of some one near the 

 lady's home, as she can then superintend the 

 colt's education herself and be sure that he is 

 treated neither rashly nor cruelly. 



