902 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



that can be thus paired, the absolute price of one of these groups is 

 always much greater than would be the total amount of the separate 

 individual values. 



In most cases horses are matched, in couples or pairs, for pleasure 

 teams ; for heavy work one is much more easily pleased than when 

 elegance and fashion are in question ; besides, even fashionable people 

 are not always sufficiently fastidious to demand an absolute resemblance 

 between the horses of the same pair, and thus the price of the pair is 

 lowered in proportion. 



From these data it will be understood that mated teams are prin- 

 cipally sold only in those high-life centres where there is a demand for 

 them. The purchases are usually made at the stable of the regular 

 dealer. 



On his arrival, the customer is at first invited to look at the differ- 

 ent teams which the dealer has in his stable, and it is business for him 

 to show what animals suit him, as to heiglit, age, race, and coat, accord- 

 ing to the team of horses he wishes to have. His selection being 

 made, the horses should be examined, their value determined, both 

 separately and as a pair, and the question of price decided. 



They are then taken out of the stable. The first point to be ascer- 

 tained is whether the mating is real, for, should it not be so, it would 

 be useless to proceed with the examination. It is easy to judge of the 

 height, the coat, and the general proportions by placing the horses side 

 by side, first in the usual way, and then facing in opposite directions. 

 Afterwards they are inspected separately ; they are examined in detail, 

 at rest, at a walk, at the trot, led by hand ; and even now it is 

 possible to place them mentally side by side and thus ascertain if the 

 differences between them are sufficiently marked to cause them to be 

 rejected. For example, when the difference of age amounts to several 

 years, the purchaser should hesitate to make the bargain, for a short 

 time afterwards, whereas one of the horses will still be vigorous and 

 fit for service, the other will be worn out and unable to travel with 

 his mate. The presence of serious blemishes is a good reason for 

 declining to purchase. ' 



Lastly, the general examination of the animal is resumed with the 

 utmost care. There should be the desired degree of equality in height, 

 length, carriage, bulk, weight, direction of the members, temperament, 

 energy, and coat. The two animals should be capable of being har- 

 nessed to the carriage indifferently to the right or the left, and no atten- 

 tion should be paid to the observations of the dealer, who may explain 

 how they have been accustomed to be always driven on the same side, 



