SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES 



SO as to get him to stand squarely, and 

 apply the test of keen observation all 

 over him, noting the pros and cons of 

 a well built horse. 



Strictly speaking, we must regard the 

 animal as being bi-symmetrical for 

 examination purposes, and carry it out 

 on these lines. 



Measure the height, and make a note 

 of this. The best standards are those 

 having a spirit level, and only these 

 should be used where exactness — as at 

 exhibitions — is required. Never mea- 

 sure a horse on sloping ground, and 

 never allow the seller — more especially 

 a dealer — to stand the horse on selected 

 measuring ground. 



It is not a difficult matter to make a 

 i6-hand horse out of a 15, or convert 

 (apparently so) the former into the 

 latter. It is frequently done. Begin 

 the examination in every instance on 

 the near side and finish this before pro- 



171 



