CHOICE OF THE HORSE. 893 



chronic, that are capable either of endangering his life or of impairing 

 his usefulness. 



Further, he should endeavor to ascertain in this connection the 

 following points : 



1st. Does the horse answer to the service required of him : 

 By his conformation (ensemble, size, general symmetry). 

 By his general physiognomy (breeding, temperament, race, coat). 

 By his action (heaves, roaring) ? 



2d. Is he fitted for it both by training and by disposition ? 



3d. Is he close to or far from the age of his full usefulness ? 



4th. Is he affected with diseases, vices, and defects, and, if so, how 

 far do they interfere with his usefulness ? 



5th. Finally, is the price asked in accordance with his intrinsic 

 value ? 



If the purchaser does not feel himself capable of judging of these 

 points, he should not hesitate to call in the aid of an expert. What- 

 ever the expense of consulting a professional man, it is not to be com- 

 pared with the loss which would result from a wrong selection. 

 Veterinarians will be found the safest guides in such matters. Their 

 special studies and their knowledge enable them more especially to give 

 the best advice and to judge of the qualities, defects, and blemishes of 

 the animal presented and of his state of health or of disease. 



We must not forget that the purchase of a horse is a difficult and 

 delicate matter ; but the trouble increases still more when one is pur- 

 chasing for others. In this case, it is important to be well informed 

 as to the tastes and requirements of the person for whom the choice 

 is to be made, and also as to the limits of the price to be given. A 

 saddle-horse is desired, for example. It is well to know if the person 

 who employs us is a sportsman in the proper sense of the word, or if, 

 on the contrary, he possesses only elementary notions of horsemanship ; 

 because the animal chosen for the latter should not have the energy, 

 ardor, breeding, and action of a horse selected for the former. The 

 true sportsman would find no pleasure in mounting a horse which, 

 though well formed, was sluggish, lazy, irresponsive to the spurs, heavy 

 on the hand, and without action, whilst another individual might 

 appreciate these as qualities likely to add to his safety and satisfy his 

 wishes. The same thing is true as to driving-horses and draught- 

 horses. The particular conditions of their utility should be con- 

 stantly kept in view, so as to adapt them as exactly as possible to 

 the requirements of the service as well as to those of the owner 

 himself. 



