Purch ase of Horses. 121 



distribute a good and serviceable breed of horses. 

 Many patronize the turf under a mistaken idea 

 that present systems improve our breeds of 

 horses, but by far the majority have personal in- 

 terest only to serve. Horse-dealing often assumes 

 the latter in the blackest dye. Upon the turf, 

 races, horses, riders, and owners are sold) and in 

 the trial ground of many dealers the like also 

 occurs. 



" What do you want for that pair of carriage 

 horses ?" said a veterinary surgeon to a large 

 dealer not long ago. " Well, look here," replied 

 the owner ; " all that will depend upon what you 

 require as premium. I can afford to make it 

 worth your while, only state what you wish." 

 " Well, suppose you wanted one hundred and 

 fifty pounds for the pair, what premium could 

 you afford ?" " Twenty pounds," said the dealer ; 

 " but if you will get your client to stand two 

 hundred pounds, I can then give you fifty." 



This statement is nearly verbatim as received 

 from a great friend who was employed to select 

 a pair of horses for a gentleman, who being in 

 attendance as previously requested, was thus 

 informed how he might have been sold if he fell 

 among thieves. 



Bribery is one of the greatest banes which 

 waits almost upon every transaction in reference 

 to horses. They cannot be shod, physicked, sold, 

 nor exchanged, but a host of parasites hover 

 round, " for wheresoever the carcass is, there will 



