8o THE HORSE 



only poor, and the buyer has to rely exclusively on his 

 own discrimination, there being no redress in the event 

 of an unfortunate purchase. 



Buying a horse from a private source is not always 

 commendable, as many useless animals are sold in this 

 manner, the only advantage being that the buyer may 

 possibly get a general warranty of soundness, or else be 

 given every facility for the examination of the animal. 

 Unless for very special reasons, owners are not willing to 

 part with reliable animals, as these are not easily replaced. 

 Horses are commonly advertised for sale in daily papers, 

 and the wording of the advertisements is sometimes more 

 interesting than the animal, when the intending purchaser 

 views it. It is very necessary for buyers to pay particular 

 attention to the wording of advertisements, no matter 

 whether in catalogue or in a newspaper, because these are 

 often guardedly worded so as to deceive the unwary 

 buyer. As previously stated, whenever and wherever 

 there is an opportunity a hght horse should always be 

 tried either in saddle or in harness, both in and out of 

 traihc. When pairs of harness horses are offered for sale 

 it is common knowledge that, whilst one of them may be 

 a very good animal, the other is frequently bad or 

 indifferent. Take particular notice of their ages, sex, 

 colour, markings, and general conformation throughout. 

 Action, manners and mouth are to be specially noted. 

 Uniformity of action greatly enhances the value in a pair 

 of horses, whilst a good mouth and good manners are 

 equally essential. If one horse has a tender mouth and 

 the other is hard in the mouth it is impossible to have 

 harmony of action. It is upon such harmony that the 

 beauty of a pair of horses depends. It is impossible to 

 pay too much attention, in both saddle and harness horses, 

 to mouth, manners, temperament and action, all of which 

 features are far more important to a buyer than absolute 

 regard for soundness, but unfortunately these are too 

 often overlooked. The number of vicious horses intro- 



