HORSE DEALERS. 49 



out of four arise from want of judgment in driving. 

 A driver not being aware of what is likely to produce 

 an accident consequently takes no steps to prevent it. 

 He probably has no conception that a strap buckled 

 too tight or left too loose will render a horse uneasy in 

 the harness, irritate his temper, set him plunging 

 and finally kicking and running away. This horse 

 might have been a week previously bought from a 

 dealer, been driven in double and single harness, and 

 always gone perfectly quiet and would have continued 

 to have done so if oiommon judgment had been used. 

 This is all we have a right to expect from a high^ 

 spirited horse. He does not promise to carry a phaeton 

 or a gig down hill on tlie top of his tail or be flayed 

 by his harness from our carelessness. If persons wish 

 a horse that would permit this 1 should recommend a 

 wooden one. In any case of this kind, without making 

 an investigation as to the causes, the effect having 

 occurred, the first person usually censured is the dealer. 

 No arguments on earth wiU persuade the purchaser 

 that it aose from any other cause than the dealer 

 having sold him a vicious horse, and he will probably 

 feel further convinced that he knew he was so; in 

 short, whatever failing a horse may exhibit aftfer being 

 purchased, whether it be in soundness, temper, consti- 

 tution or anything, deservedly or not, the dealer is sure 



