HOW TO BUY AND SELL. 21 



A horse with perfect eyes never shies, unless from 

 mismanagement and savage cruelty; and even then he 

 may be cured. He may look at various objects, and, 

 when fresh from want of exercise, he is likely enough to 

 play and frisk on observing different things, particularly 

 such things as pass him quickly; but he may, neverthe- 

 less, be perfectly free from vice. 



It is absolutely necessary that good light should be 

 obtained, in order to inspect the eyes, and care should be 

 taken that the animal be kept quiet for a sufficient 

 time to enable you to observe these organs narrowly 

 and collectedly. The light best suited for this 

 purpose is that which comes from above, and above only, 

 like that which proceeds from a lantern roof, as in picture- 

 galleries and in some riding- schools. The next best 

 light comes from the skylight common in. the latter, or in 

 a covered ride with a light above. Having placed the 

 horse immediately under the light, you will be able to 

 see and examine every defect as clearly as though you 

 were looking at a piece of crystal. The best position 

 one can generally adopt is to put his head in the stable- 

 door, placing yourself in the shade, inside the stable, and 

 looking through one of the eyes with great care, towards 

 the light. When satisfied with the inspection, proceed with 

 equal deliberation and pains to examine the other eye. 

 Now stand opposite the animal's face, and examine both 

 eyes well, by looking through them towards the stable or 

 shade. It does not always follow that, because one eye 

 is perfect, the other may not be tainted, although this 

 may not be obvious at the moment. 



Any disease in the eye, even from the slightest cold or 

 inflammation, until it be completely cured, or until it 

 has terminated in total blindness, stamps the animal as 



UKSOUXD. 



All eyes predisposed to inflammation, although not 

 actually affected by this complaint at the time of the 



