21 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 



There is no reason why the golden rule, " Do unto others as ye 

 would that others should do unto you," should not obtain in horse- 

 dealing, as well as in other trading transactions; that it does not, 

 those who have suffered from a contrary practice will, of course, 

 regret. There are, doubtless, many dealers of strict integrity who 

 would not knowingly practise any deception, but would afford ample 

 time for examination and trial, and would decline to give a warranty 

 unless convinced of the animal's soundness. There are others who 

 aver that they never give a warranty, and others who have a variety 

 of tricks at command to deceive the unwary. It should be 

 remembered there are few faultless horses, and though breeders 

 must dispose of their young stock, whether faulty or faultless, it is 

 not such horses that fall into the hands of the inexperienced buyer. 

 The class of purchasers for whose assistance these hints have been 

 written, generally buy from dealers, and most commonly the stud 

 submitted for their inspection consists of horses that have been used 

 and sold for some fault, or because " they did not suit their former 

 owner." Yet, by the exercise of a little common sense, purchasers 

 would often escape the cheats attempted to be put upon them by the 

 outsiders in what should be an honourable occupation. 



There are two questions which the intending purchaser of a 

 horse should ask himself, and take care that they are fairly 

 answered. The first is — " Can he, or can he not, ride well ?" The 

 next is — " What sort of work does he require a horse to do ?" It 

 is of more importance than at first sight appears, that these two 

 questions should be fairly put, and honestly answered. For there are 

 many men who have no other idea than to become the proprietor of 



