CHOICE OF THE HORSE. 897 



As to the head, it is to be reserved for the last, because the eyes, nos- 

 trils, age, mouth, and intermaxillary space should be particularly exam- 

 ined a second time in full daylight. While the head is being inspected, 

 the larynx should be compressed with the intention of provoking a 

 cough. The healthy condition of the two jugular veins should also be 

 determined at this time. 



The examination of which we have spoken should be made as much 

 as possible without touching the horse. The purchaser should have 

 sufficient experience to recognize at a glance whatever blemishes may 

 exist. If there be any doubt in his mind, he should remove it by 

 examining the parts with the hand. Should he suspect a splint, a 

 spavin, etc., he has the right to make himself acquainted with the actual 

 state of affairs by every proper means. The error once committed, it 

 is too late to repair it ; this should never be forgotten at the time of 

 the sale. 



c. Examination of the Horse in Action. — It is important, 

 after this, to exercise the animal at the walk, the trot, and, in certain 

 cases, the gallop, in order to judge of the beauty of his gaits. In 

 these exercises, except the last, he will be led by the halter, and the 

 intending purchaser must see to it that the hand does not furnish a 

 point of support for the head. With this object, the stable-man is to be 

 instructed to allow considerable freedom to the horse's head, and as he 

 always holds a whip in his left hand, the dealer should be requested to 

 abstain from all extraneous means of excitement, such as cracking the 

 whip, striking his hat, shouting, gestures, etc. It is indispensable that 

 the trial should take place on a paved surface, this being the best way 

 to detect any existence of lameness. Finally, in these manoeuvres, the 

 horse should be examined in profile, from the left and the right, in 

 front and from behind, either by running him successively from one 

 side of the yard to the other, or by making him turn around in a cn*cle. 

 This will give an opportunity of noticing how he turns and how he 

 backs. After this preliminary examination, the animal should be seen 

 in the trial, mounted or harnessed, according to the service for which 

 he is intended. Light-draught horses, as well as driving-horses, are, 

 however, often mounted, in order to show better the extent of their 

 movements, their nimbleness, and their speed. 



The trial of the mounted horse should always be made with the 

 saddle and bridle, in the case of a saddle-horse. It will be well, 

 indeed, for the purchaser to mount him himself, after the boy, to judge 

 of the sensitiveness of the animal's mouth, his reactions, ardor, tractr. - 

 bility, dressing, etc. He will see at the same time how tlie an':::;:l 



57 



