64 The Care of Animals 



in selling horses should exercise care in warranting a 

 horse sound, either directly or by the use of language 

 that implies a warranty; for if the purchaser takes the 

 horse on the strength of such representations and the 

 horse proves to be unsound, the seller is himself respon- 

 sible. A distinction is usually made between those cases 

 in which the purchaser buys the horse on the strength 

 of the representations made by the owner, and those 

 cases in which the purchaser assumes to know about the 

 horse, and buys on his own judgment and responsibility. 

 It is usually economy to purchase of a reliable person 

 and, if possible, on a trial of a week or more. Whether 

 justly or not, it has come to be proverbial that the 

 horse trader is "tricky." 



EXAMINATION OF HORSE IN STABLE 



In examining the horse in the stable, do not disturb 

 him at first, but watch him closely for a few moments; 

 he will be likely soon to show any stable vices that he 

 may possess. Among vices to be looked for is "weav- 

 ing," a habit which some horses have of swinging the 

 head or body from side to side, often for an hour at a 

 time, especially when not eating. Cribbing and wind- 

 sucking are other vices which should be carefully looked 

 for. Kicking in the stall, and crowding an attendant 

 against the side of the stall are vices. Some horses 

 have the bad habit of kicking at the side of the stall. 

 Persistent pawing is also to be looked for. The horse 

 should be made to "stand over" by gentle pressure 

 against the hip, when he will frequently show signs of 



