EXAJIINATION FOR PURCHASE. 255 



subject to a dry chronic cough, which comes on at uncer- 

 tain times, perhaps twice or thrice a day, sometimes after 

 feeding or drinking; or changes of temperature may 

 induce^ It, as when he comes into, or goes out of stable. 

 Occasionally a dose of physic, and in scniie cases a httle 

 attention to his diet, will prevent re-occurrence of his cough 

 for two or three days, or even weeks, when it will re- 

 appear. 



With a respectable dealer, after using your eyes and 

 discretion, you had better depend on the waiTantry, and 

 his character, than by any unnecessary display of suspicion, 

 offensively question his honesty. Nevertheless, as the trade 

 is taken up by needy gentlemen of good standing in society, 

 and broken down black-legs, of respectable connexions, 

 who are ever ready to give a wan-antry not worth a dump, 

 or satisfaction, if you are dissatisfied thereat ; if you have 

 reasons to suspect the horse, or his master, the directions 

 here ]fiid down will be found useful. Always bear in 

 ttiind that the observation of one symptom should induce 

 the examiner to follow up the hiquiry inio th )se other 

 symptoms which are characteristic of the suspected disease, 

 defect, or unsoundness. 



The best time to view a horse is early in the morning, 

 in the stables, as then if there is any stiffness in the joints, 

 or tendency to swelled legs, it will be most apparent. 



The horse should always be examined from a state of 

 rest. If there are any symptoms of his having been pre- 

 viously exercised, such as sweat about his withers, or his 

 legs have been recently washed, it is advisable he should 

 bo^ left in his stall till cool : for there is more than one 

 species of lameness, which becomes less apparent afttir 

 exercise, and where there is a tendency to swelled legs, a 

 smart trot and grooming will fine his legs, and render them 

 clean. 



This precautionary measure is more especially to be ta- 

 ken when you suspect your man ; for in horse-buying we 

 have to deal with gentry who are acquainted with the sci- 

 ence of imposition in all its ramifications. A stable? exa- 

 mination is the best for observing indications of wind suck 

 ing, crib-biting, chronic cough, the state of the respiration 

 nd for discovering vice. 



For tl\is purpose, always have a horse shewn quietly ; 

 when there is much noise and bustle, there is generally 



