98 HOW TO BUY A HORSE. 



tural horse are the least difficult to select, and the lowest 

 priced ; the carriage-horses next ; then the light harness 

 horse, and, lastly, the saddle-horse, which is the most dif- 

 ficult of all to find nearl}^ perfect, as requiring the greatest 

 union of rare qualities. The heavy draft-horse requires 

 only great power and weight, with a fast-walking action, 

 or a moderate trot, and the power of going easily to him- 

 self. The agricultui-al horse requires strength, quickness, 

 activit}^, hardihood and courage. The carriage-horses are 

 to be estimated very differently; size, fine figure, great 

 show, stylish action and a moderate stroke of speed are 

 all that is needed. With none of these animals is the 

 manner of going, of being bitted, mouthed, or broken, of 

 so great consecjuence. 



For the light h arness horse more is needed — more style, 

 more speed, generally at a slashing trot, which may be as 

 rough and difficult to sit as it ma}^ ; jDlenty of endurance, 

 and^ above all a good mouth and a pleasant style of driv- 

 ing ; since it is our own hands, not John's or Thomas's, 

 which are to be excoriated, and our own shoulders which 

 are to be lugged out of tlic sockets if he be an inveterate 

 bearer. For the saddle-horse most of all is needed. He 

 must be handsome ; he must have safe, showy, stylish 

 action ; he must be sure-footed ; must have a fine mouth, 

 a fine temper, lots of courage, and perfect docility. Above 

 all, he must be an easy mover, both to himself and to his 

 rider, or else grievous will be the loss of temper and the 

 loss of leather to the latter. The best saddle-horses, un- 

 less one prefer to ride gallopers, arc horses with not less 

 than three, and as many more crosses as possible, of thor- 

 ough blood on any good common stock. Three crosses 

 from Canadians, or two from Morgans, make capital road- 

 sters. Thorough-breds are not often great trotters, since 



