398 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



allows himself to be bridled and saddled, how he bears the pressure 

 of the girth, and how he behaves when the foot is put in the stirrup. 

 Here, again, the horse should be seen in profile, right and left, in front 

 and from behind. 



The trial of the draught-horse cannot always be made under favor- 

 able conditions at the time of the sale, for example, at a fair or in the 

 horse-market, because the necessary appliances are often lacking. Some- 

 times, however, this inconvenience is obviated by harnessing the animal 

 to a cart, and in a few minutes blocking the wheels, so as to ascertain 

 his energy, vigor, and strength, the ease with which he pulls, and his 

 manner of pulling. In the Parisian market, a special track, the trial 

 track, is reserved for this purpose, and heavy vehicles, easily stopped, 

 as well as sets of harness, are placed at the disposal of the public. 

 Unfortunately, these harnesses are neither so numerous nor so varied 

 that they can be properly fitted to any horse. Many of the animals, 

 worried by a poorly-fitting collar, make a noise similar to that of 

 roaring, an affection from which, in reality, they are entirely free. 



As to driving-horses, they are not shown in the same way; the 

 dealer harnesses them and drives them to various vehicles which the 

 purchaser can mount, and where he also has the privilege of driving 

 them, if he chooses. But before doing this, he should ascertain, by 

 observing every detail around the stable, how the animal allows him- 

 self to be harnessed and led, how he trots, turns, stops, backs, and 

 starts off. He should ascertain, also, that he is good in his wind, 

 that he is gentle and tractable, and that he does not become frightened 

 at unfamiliar objects or noises. 



Besides the ascertaining of the fitness and qualifications of the 

 horse, another object of the trial is the testing of his respiratory organs. 

 Whether the horse be harnessed or mounted, one should always, as 

 soon as he is stopped, that is to say, after a sufficient amount of exer- 

 cise, listen attentively to the sound of his respirations, to see if he is 

 a roarer, and to examine the movements of his flanks, to be sure that 

 he is not heavy and short-winded. In some countries the law allows 

 a trial of nine days for the detection of the so-called redhibitory vices, 

 but much trouble will be avoided by finding them out at the time of 

 the sale. 



We recapitulate, in the following table, the order in which to pro- 

 ceed in the examination of the horse. After practising with this table 

 a few times the beginner will rapidly become expert in the somewhat 

 complicated operations which are asked of him. 



