THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 279 



may fairly be accepted as evidence that the animal has either been over- 

 weighted or has, in its time, done some hard work. It is invariably 

 detrimental to the value ; for, the vertebrae being the base of the anatom- 

 ical body, their healthy condition is of the greatest possible importance 

 toward even an approach to soundness. 



It is highly improbable that an animal with a decided rick of the back 

 should find admission into the stables of any respectable dealer; but 

 there are numerous places, termed Commission Stables, which a novice 

 unacquainted with names and localities may, from outward appearances, 

 easily mistake for premises of the purest character. Should the imaginary 

 personage, whose conduct the author has supposed to be the subject of 

 remark, have entered such a stable, much art will be employed to per- 

 suade him to leave the building. If the gentleman should be firm, and, 

 refuse to retire, possibly the proprietor may be seized with a sudden fancy 

 to show another horse; but any trick of this nature will be readily de- 

 tected, and the fresh animal, though subsequently led into the yard, should 

 never be looked at. 



TORNING IX THE STALL. 



A horse cannot turn in the stall without twisting the back. Some 

 animals, however, can turn quickly in one direction, whereas a« attempt 

 to flex the body the contrary way will produce the acutest anguish. 

 Therefore, when the groom bids the horse come round, the gentleman 

 should observe the mode in which the act is accomplished. Should the 

 quadruped's head be turned from the door, such a fact may be regarded 

 as suspicious ; for grooms always prefer the shortest roads, and trivial 

 matters, where horses are concerned, often lead to important discoveries. 



The diseases of the horse are not yet thoroughly understood. Man- 

 kind have acquired a habit of accepting words, without insisting that the 



