144 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



ing them mentally with one another, and noting their 

 defects and qualities whether of form or of motion. It 

 will soon be found that such observations, particularly 

 when relating to the motions of the horse, have a fas- 

 cination peculiarly their own, and open a new and wide 

 field of amusement. 



In examining a horse a lady cannot of course usually 

 make the thorough inspection personally which would 

 be necessary to warrant his limbs and wind perfectly 

 sound, but she can, by taking a little time to it, form 

 an opinion which will be very nearly correct. She 

 should first master the vocabulary at the end of this 

 chapter, which will give her an idea what defects to be 

 on the lookout for, and just where to seek for them ; 

 and she should cultivate her eye at every opportunity 

 by scanning critically every horse she sees — or, to be 

 more moderate, say one or two a day — endeavoring to 

 detect a " spavin " or " curb," or what not, which the 

 owner does not suspect or perhaps shuts his eyes to. 

 Then, when a horse is brought up for her approval, let 

 her take her own time, refuse to be hurried or hum- 

 bugged, but, as already suggested, look him over from 

 all sides, at rest and in motion, and finally get him 

 on trial for a week. This last precaution is the most 

 valuable of all, and worth, as " Stonehenge" says, ten 

 per cent, on the price of the animal, and it can very 

 often be obtained by the simple offer of paying for his 

 services in case he is not purchased ; indeed, some of 



