1 86 The Book of the Horse. 



wishes to possess harnesj-horses of extraordinary action must be prepared to secure them when- 

 ever they come into the market, whether his stable be full or not, because the number in existence 

 is limited. Of course the man who goes for the first time to buy a single horse cannot expect 

 to be as well treated as the regular customer who purchases on a great scale. As a rule, those 

 who require horses highly trained and broken (except hunters) are most likely to suit themselves 

 in the stables of London dealers ; those who like unfinished harness-horses or hacks, on the 

 farms of country dealers. 



The sales by auction, except where studs of great celebrity are submitted to the hammer, 

 afford opportunities of purchasing at much lower prices than from a dealer, with the disadvantage 

 of a very imperfect opportunity for examination, and no satisfactory trial. You must set the 

 advantage in price against the risk, which you may well do when you want useful animals at 

 a comparatively low price, if you have the assistance of a competent adviser, and can learn 

 something of the biography of the nag you fancy. The difference between auction price and 

 dealers' price generally affords a pretty good margin for insurance against mistakes in a series 

 of purchases, but auctions are for the young and the strong. The timid and the aged must 

 venture on no rash experiments in horses they require for their own riding. 



To purchase with any safety at an auction you must be certain that it is honestly conducted, 

 and not an affair got up between some unknown auctioneer with no reputation and the pro- 

 prietors of a lot of screws made up for the occasion. Horses sold from a stud of reputation 

 will fetch more by auction than they ever will again when sold singly. Even when the auction 

 is conducted with the most perfect integrity, the intended purchaser must be on his guard 

 against the contrivances not only of professional copers, but of "gentlemen" who send in a 

 complete stud to get rid of two or three worn-out or vicious brutes. In fact, you want to know 

 not only something about the horses, but about the owners. In this pursuit a few half-crowns 

 judiciously administered to the attendant grooms may prove good investments. The lots most 

 to be distrusted at an auction are the very good-looking ones, with no description. 



A single horse generally sells for less money than one of a noted stud, and at Tattersall's 

 a single horse, entered in the catalogue as quiet to ride, may be ridden by the rough-rider 

 attached to the establishment for the purpose, at the request of an intending purchaser. Always 

 have the animal trotted over the pavement passage alongside the boxes. If a horse is entered 

 " quiet in harness " in the catalogue that is a warranty ; but " has been regularly driven in 

 harness " is no warranty. " Quiet to ride " is a warranty against vice, but " has been ridden by 

 a lady or boy " is no warranty. "A good hack " has been held in a court of law to be a warranty 

 against lameness. " A good hunter " must have perfect eyesight, and be clear in the wind. It 

 is a doubtful point whether he need be able and willing to leap anything. In some parts of 

 Hampshire, Devonshire, and Somersetshire, the hunters are never asked to leap. " Has been 

 hunted" warrants nothing. 



At Tattersall's horses purchased on a Monday must, if not answering the description, be 

 returned on the Wednesday following, and will then be subject to the following conditions : — 

 " Horses returned for not answering description shall be tried by the firm of Messrs. Tattersall 

 or one of them, or some one appointed by them, in such manner and for such length of time 

 as they or he shall think fit, and their or his decision shall be final and binding on both vendor 

 and purchaser, and the loser of the trial shall pay the expenses ; or Messrs. Tattersall, or one 

 of them, or some one appointed by them, may, instead of making an actual trial of, or in addition 

 to an actual trial of, such a horse, make their or his decision upon evidence of such nature and 

 taken in such manner as they or he shall think fit. Reasonable notice of any such trial shall 



