3?4 HORSE DEALERS. 



or his sister can ride." He must ask to behold a horse fit only for one 

 purpose. If to be ridden, the weight of the rider should be stated, and 

 the age of the equestrian is likewise desirable, as well as the habits — 

 that is, whether the gentleman is old or is young, is used to the saddle, 

 or is about to take horse exercise for the first time, under medical advice. 

 These things are necessary, that the dealer may judge of the strength, 

 the spirit, and the temper which will answer a purchaser's expectation. 



So also when a brougham horse is wanted, the weight of the vehicle 

 should be given. If a harness horse is sought, it ought to be named, 

 with the kind of conveyance the animal is required to pull. If a car- 

 riage needs a quadruped, other than a Cleveland bay, every particular 

 should be detailed, the dealer being also asked to step round and to look 

 at the creature which it is desired to match. Nothing is better calcu- 

 lated to win a dealer's respect than to have such points ready; for, 

 though these may give some trouble to the novice, they occur as matters 

 of course to the practiced proprietor. Moreover, such particulars save 

 much vexation, and prevent the horses being needlessly disturbed — an 

 occurrence which invariably annoys the best-tempered of tradesmen. 



When you enter a yard, never request to see "the horses." Such a 

 demand is a lamentable confession. Ask to speak with the proprietor 

 or with the salesman. State what you wish to obtain. Be precise, 

 even to particulars; and inquire if there is such an animal among the 

 stock. The reply most probably will be negative. Then ask if the 

 person you are addressing knows of such a creature, and could procure 

 you an inspection. Very likely an appointment for some future day 

 will be embodied in the reply given to the last interrogatory. Then you 

 must retire immediately, and patiently wait the promised opportunity. 



Never be in a hurry, or exhibit any impatience, in the yard of a 

 dealer. Take everything coolly, and act as though it were far from your 

 desire to look at horses or to walk through stables. Greenhorns are 

 always greedy concerning such particulars. Consult the master; rather 

 confide in his judgment and trust to his activity, than display any forward- 

 ness to encounter personal responsibility and to undergo bodily fatigue. 

 Horses are numerous, and dealers are always eager to effect a sale; 

 therefore be quiet and rather reserved, being conscious that, to procure 

 the animal which shall exactly suit in every particular, cannot be a very 

 ready, a very easy, or a very speedy affair. 



When buying, always, in regard to strength, purchase a horse rather 

 above than in any degree below the purpose you have in view; or, in 

 other words, obtain an animal apparently too strong, in preference to a 

 little too weak or just strong enough, for the work it is wanted to 

 perform. Do this, because strength denotes value when labor has to be 



