228 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



CHAPTER XVI. 



HORSE DEALING. 



HORSE dealing is supposed to be a business in which 

 no mercy is shown to the greenhorn. Experience 

 purchased dearly is of greater value than that which 

 is otherwise acquired, and certainly some horse- 

 dealers do make their customers pay through the 

 nose for ascertaining the value of a horse. Of course 

 there are honest dealers to be found. Some of the 

 London men do so much business that it would not 

 pay them to be guilty of anything like trickery or 

 dishonesty, but the wanderers who journey from 

 fair to fair, and from town to town, with strings of 

 ' screws,' are oftentimes not quite so particular, and 

 will resort to any dodge to get the highest possible 

 price for the worst kind of animal. Therefore, a man 

 who inwardly feels that he is not a thorough judge 

 of horseflesh should always purchase of a dealer of 

 good standing, with a well-known place of business. 



c ln purchasing of a regular dealer, a customer 

 must be prepared for a little close raillery. The only 

 way to receive it is with good humour, and if genius 



