THE HORSE. 131 



injuries of hard labour are most apparent in those 

 parts. A survey of the other side of the horse, con- 

 cludes the stable examination. 



" Suffer no person belonging to the seller to be 

 with you in the stall (unless you know and are well 

 satisfied with the dealer's character) during your 

 inspection, that the horse may not be rendered un- 

 quiet, either designedly, or at the mere presence of a 

 habitual tormentor. A short time since I had occa- 

 sion to examine a horse, for a friend, at the stable of 

 a considerable dealer; it was a very beautiful and 

 well shaped nag, but, as is commonly the hard fate 

 of such, he appeared to have done too much work. 

 The attendant, from a superabundant share of regard 

 to my safety, must needs hold the horse's head whilst 

 I examined his legs, still assuring me he was per- 

 fectly quiet ; nevertheless, every time I attempted to 

 feel below his knees, the horse started, and flew 

 about the stall in a strange manner, to the no small 

 risk of my toes and shins. Whilst I stood musing 

 and wondering what beside the devil could possibly 

 ail the animal, I discovered a short whip under the 

 arm of the jockey, with which he had, no doubt, 

 tickled the neck and chest of the horse, whenever I 

 stooped down with the intent of handling his legs. 

 I wished this adept good morning. 



A good quiet stable survey is a material prelude, 

 the horse beino; under none of that excitement which 

 will probably have place in him when abroad upon 

 the show. Unless, indeed, he should have been pre- 

 viously subject to that most barbarous stable disci- 

 pline which I too often witnessed in days of yore, 



