THE HORSE 75 



stiffer in his gait after work than he was before. 

 Therefore it is essential that he be under the en- 

 tire control, and in the stable, of the would-be 

 purchaser for at least a couple of days, so that he 

 can be submitted to a thorough test, and so that 

 his habits, i. e., predisposition to rest the leg at or 

 after work, etc., can be observed. If he comes 

 out of the ordeal none the worse, then he is prob- 

 ably worth buying at a price commensurate ^"ith 

 his poor hind action. It should be added that a 

 thirty-mile drive will fairly test a horse for most 

 of the common unsoundnesses of the legs. 



Another Mysterious Complaint 

 "When a very taking horse is offered to one at a 

 very reasonable price, the natural conclusion to 

 come to is that something is wrong with it. If, 

 on examination, it proves to be free from splints, 

 spavins, curbs, wind-trouble, and all the common 

 and obvious unsoundnesses, one is rather at a loss 

 to discover what is the matter. A case of this 

 sort came to notice not long ago. The pony was 

 a model. It w^as apparently sound, quiet, and 

 desirable in every respect, and yet the prospective 

 purchaser was convinced that all w^as not right 

 with it. The owner was persuaded to leave it on 



