BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE. 147 



after a saddle-gall has become fairly established. The 

 saddle, of course, should fit the horse well, and there 

 should always be a free space along above the backbone 

 and withers. 



The cut on the preceding page shows a saddle-horse 

 of the very best form for a lady's use. 



The color of a horse is an important factor in the 

 price, except in the case of animals of extraordinary 

 qualities; and although different persons have their 

 special preferences, yet probably the order of the fol- 

 lowing list will give the average taste of the horse-buy- 

 ing public : 



1. Blood bay with black points; that is, with mane, 

 tail, and legs from the knee downward black. 



2. Rich chestnut. 



3. Rich brown. 



4. Common bay with black points. 



5. Common chestnut. 



6. Dark dapple gray. 



7. Full black. 



8. Light bay with brown legs. 



9. White. 



10. Common gray. 



11. Brownish-black. 



12. Sorrel. 



When your decision is finally made, obtain (from the 

 person selling) a warranty, which had better be written 

 upon the bill itself, giving the height, age, and color of 



