220 EXOTICS. 



he gets into the dealer's hands. In the first place, 

 such a horse has never done one day's even mo- 

 derate work since the hour he was foaled. The 

 breeder would not risk his doing it. It matters not 

 to him be he good or good for nothing ; he merely 

 wants him to look well by the time he means to offer 

 him for sale ; and provided his constitution and 

 stamina are good enough to enable him to be brought 

 to this, it is all he requires or cares about. He has 

 tried him sufficiently to ascertain that he rides 

 pleasantly at the end of jive miles ; he is in no way 

 interested in what he might do at the end of twenty, 

 nor will he risk his knocking his legs about or cutting 

 his ankles- by trying. Why should he ? When he 

 sells him, he does not guarantee to sell you a good 

 horse : he gives a warranty that he is a certain age, 

 that he is sound and free from vice ; and provided he 

 proves to be so, he has conscientiously fulfilled his 

 compact with the purchaser. 



Now for some months before any of the great fairs, 

 the horses the breeder intends sending there are 

 being prepared for the purpose ; that is, by taking no 

 more exercise than is absolutely necessary to keep 

 them in health, and are literally put up to fatten, 

 like any other beast for market, placed in an even 

 and warm temperature in the stable, to keep their 

 coats fine ; and by the time they are wanted for sale 

 are made in every way ripe for the purpose. They 

 come out fat, blooming, beautiful in their skins, and 

 of course in the highest spirits, but as unfit for and 

 incapable of a day's work as the pampered child of a 

 lady of fashion, and as sensible of even the slightest 

 variation of the atmosphere as any exotic from the 

 hot-house. In this state they are sold to the dealer, 



