382 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



In judging of the age of a liorse, we mnst not expect the fore- 

 going rules to be invariably correct, particularly after eight 

 years, but they will be so in many cases, and in all will materi- 

 ally assist the judgment, and enable us to make the important 

 distinction between one horse of ten and another of twenty 

 years. There are some horses that retain their marks several 

 years after the usual time ; it is desirable, therefore, not to be 

 guided entirely by one rule, but to let one correct or regulate 

 another. 



As the horse increases In age, the Incisor teeth appear longer, 

 and assume a more horizontal position, and other signs of age 

 appear manifested. — Ed ] 



CHAP. LX. 



PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN PURCHASING HORSES, AND 

 ON WARRANTY AND SOUNDNESS. 



It Is a very ancient but valuable maxim, that In all transactions 

 " Honesty is the best policy;" and I can see no reason whatever 

 why horse-dealing should not be regulated by this excellent law, 

 for such it ought to be, and really Is — foro conscienticB. I have 

 known those who have continued In the practice of never giving 

 a warranty with a horse, and have experienced the advantage of 

 it; for it Is evident that few persons who have had occasion for 

 a horse would sell It unless he had some fault ; and If we go to a 

 horse-dealer to purchase a horse of five or six years old, it Is but 

 reasonable to conclude that the horse has been tried by some 

 other person, and sold for some fault. Still It should be recol- 

 lected that there are few. If any, horses without some fault or 

 imperfection ; and, perhaps, if the qualifications of riders, even 

 the best, were strictly inquired Into, they would be found equally 

 deficient : we had better, therefore, go upon the principle of get- 

 ting a horse that has no serious fault or defect, or what may be 

 fairly deemed unsoundness ; and having purchased such a horse, 

 we should ride him a few days or weeks, and not be too hasty 

 In giving an opinion of him, nor too ready In listening to the 

 opinions or criticisms of others. Having premised thus much, 1 

 Avill proceed to give some further advice, or suggest some pre- 

 cautions, which may be usefully recollected by the purchasers 

 of horses. 



The numerous shades which exist between a state of perfect 

 soundness In horses, and those obvious diseases or defects which 

 so clearly constitute unsoundness as to admit of no doubt on the 

 subject, often occasion much trouble and perplexity in the pur- 

 chase or sale of these animals. 



