HOW TO BUY AND SELL. 85 



and they are easily got rid of, or, at the least, lessened by 

 a little exercise. 



They may be considered to be, generally, a proof of a 

 strong and vigorous state of health. 



A true horseman does not think any the worse of a 

 horse for his playfulness; but as a nervous person might 

 be alarmed at this habit, and put himself to some ex- 

 pense in trying to effect a return of the horse to the 

 vendor, it is well to add that, as playfulness is not a vice, 

 the horse is not, on that account, returnable. 



Cut such a temper in a horse as is decidedly capricious 

 or mischievous constitutes a VICE. 



The act of a horse looking slily or askance at any ob- 

 jects that happen to catch his eye, while he is passing, 

 must not be mistaken for shying; for the indecision of 

 the rider's hand will convey a feeling of fear to the horse's 

 mind through the effect of the bridle upon the mouth, 

 while the horse will frequently anticipate the approach of 

 a danger which is, in fact, imaginary, by feeling an un-. 

 due pressure, or a sudden and undecided loosening or 

 tremulous motion of the rider's legs or knees. He is, 

 consequently, suddenly alarmed, fancies that the very 

 first object which he meets is the cause of the supposed 

 danger, and trie? > ; instinct prompts him, to avoid it. 



If a horse that has been ridden by a nervous rider for 

 a few times only be taken in hand by a thorough and 

 clever-handed horseman, it will be found that he will re- 

 cover his self-confidence in a very few days' work. It is 

 a fault of greater or less magnitude, according to the time 

 that may be required for its eradication, and therefore, 

 until the cure be effected, and it be certain that no injury 

 will accrue from past mismanagement, such a fault is a 



VICE. 



The horse that will not even step over a straw, when 

 ridden by an undecided and hesitating rider, will fre- 

 quently take any leap with him who rides with a cool de- 



