PREFACE. 



The leading object of this work is to present to the 

 public, in a handy form for the pocket, a detailed enumer- 

 ation of the various diseases and infirmities which consti- 

 tute unsoundness in horses, with plain directions for detect- 

 ing them, even when concealment has been attempted 

 by such dealers as are more ingenious than honest. 



There are quite a number of persons who consider them- 

 selves well informed in regard to the legal enactments 

 relating to unsoundness, by which the rights of purchasers 

 are defended against fraudulent horse-dealers ; there are, 

 however, comparatively few who might not become easy 

 victims in a horse trade, notwithstanding their supposed 

 knowledge. For their benefit, and for the guidance also 

 of those who lay no claim to any knowledge on the subject, 

 the laws which regulate horse transactions are laid down, 

 together with such legal decisions as bear on doubtful 

 points ; thus afibrding a reliable book of reference useful 

 to all, whether buyer or seller, lawyer or client. 



Among the other subjects introduced may be mentioned 

 the most reliable methods of discovering the correct age 

 of a horse ; the points by which a good, sound horse may 



