192 PEECEPT A]S"D PRACTICE. 



might like him in other respects. Let it be observed, 

 I only speak in general terms : under particular cir- 

 cumstances I might be induced to vary in my decision. 



A man might purchase a young horse of a dealer, 

 showing legs free from any mark whatever of having 

 been cut or hit, yet find, on bringing such horse into 

 work, that he cut awfully ; nor does it follow such 

 work need be of any peculiar severity or continuance ; 

 for people should bear in mind that ordinary usage 

 is more or less severe work to an animal unaccustomed 

 to any, save what he may have undergone in the pro- 

 cess of breaking. 



In purchasing a young horse, or, indeed, any horse, 

 the first thing is to notice whether there is any peculi- 

 arity of form likely to be prejudicial to him in his work, 

 keeping in mind that cutting is as likely to be so as 

 any fault he can well possess. Stand before and 

 behind him, and mark well the way his legs stand in 

 a quiescent state ; even by this a tolerably certain 

 inference may be drawn of what will be their direction 

 when in motion. I have frequently seen young horses, 

 of whom I have said — " That horse must interfere if 



