PURCHASING A HORSE. 225 



we anticipate no little criticism on some of the ideas presented 

 in this work. 



Course to be pursued in Purchasing a Horse. 

 First— Examine the eyes, in the stable, then in the light; if 

 they are in any way defective, reject. Second— Examine the 

 teeth to determine the age. Third— Examine the poll, or crown 

 of the head, and the withers or top of the shoulders, as the 

 former is the seat of poll-evil, and the latter that of fistula. 

 Fourth— Examine the front feet, and if the frog has fallen, or settled 

 down between the heels of the shoe, and the heels are contracted, 

 reject him ; as he, if not already lame, is liable to become so at any 

 moment. 



Next observe the knees and ankles of the horse you desire to pur- 

 chase, and if "cocked," you may be sure that it is the result 

 of the displacement of the internal organs of the foot, a con- 

 sequence of neglect of the form of the foot and injudicious 

 shoeing. If these defects are still incipient, and the owner will make 

 a liberal reduction in the price on this account, you may ven- 

 ture to purchase, as this may readily be corrected by the use 

 of a shoe that will expand the hoof. Fifth— Examine for inter- 

 fering, from the ankle to the knees, and if it proves that he 

 cuts the knee, or the leg between the knee and the ankle, or 

 the latter badly, reject. 



" Speedy cuts" of the knee and leg are most serious in their 

 effects. 



Many trotting horses, which would be of great value were it net for 

 this single defect, are by it rendered valueless. 



Six— Carefully examine the hoofs for cracks, as jockeys have 

 acquired great skill in concealing them. 



If cracks are observable in any degree, reject. 



Also, both look and feel for ringbones, which are callouses on the 

 bones of the pastern near the foot. If apparent, reject. 



