23 



ticity about them. When mounted the mouth feels lighter, more 

 lively, and there is a springiness of movement and appearance alto- 

 gether different to that seen in a horse of inferior breed. 



There are many men who do not take their weight into calcula- 

 tion when selecting a horse, and as they may always reckon one stone 

 more for saddle and bridle, it] is evident this is a matter of great 

 importance, and should not be overlooked. Nothing will bring a 

 dull, sluggish horse down sooner than being overweighted, even if it 

 be only a few pounds ; he feels unwilling to move under the 

 additional weight ; his rider, perhaps, loses temper, and urges him, 

 and hence the catastrophe. Again, I remark, consider well the kind 

 of work you require a horse to perform, remembering that there are 

 very few, indeed, equally good for saddle and harness. If a daily 

 ride of say ten or a dozen miles is the utmost required, almost any 

 sound horse is equal to it if he is not over-weighted, or ridden at too 

 fast a pace. If longer journeys are required, rest-clays are necessaiy, 

 and thirty miles a-day three days a-week is quite enough work 

 for any horse, and too much for the majority. 



I would advise my reader to be very cautious in availing himself 

 of the many tempting offers made in the various newspapers. In 

 going through the advertisement columns, it would appear at first 

 sight as if every want could be most easily supplied, and especially is 

 this the case respecting horses, the flattering encomiums passed upon 

 them, leading one to expect perfection. Experienced hands never notice 

 these advertisements, and I would strongly recommend those who 

 do, to make no bargain till the animal has been seen by a respectable 

 veterinary surgeon. Indeed, to the inexperienced buyer — and for such 

 only are these hints intended — I would say, the vet.'s fee is the best 

 spent money throughout the transaction. 



Being satisfied as to figure and carriage, let the horse be walked 

 and trotted down the ride at his own pace, repeating the experiment 

 on the stones, and, if possible, down hill, the groom going before 

 with the bridle at its extreme length. 



Many grooms in showing a horse get a firm hold of the 

 bridle close to the animal's head, and so supporting the head, 



