44 How to Purchase a Horse. 



a few pounds more, but declines to go beyond his fixed 

 price. He eventually buys one he thinks may suit at about 

 his price ; after a time, finding he will not do, he changes 

 him away for another as unlikely to suit him, paying £\o 

 or ;£i5 more, simply to get rid of the first. This again is 

 changed away in his turn, and so on, till at last he finds him- 

 self still unsuited, with one that, altogether, after the diffe- 

 rent changes and payments, costs him nearly double the 

 price of that he declined at first as being beyond his figure. 

 Horses are for the most part unfit for the London mar- 

 ket, and for general use, till they are at least five years 

 old ; but a dealer will occasionally buy a good one at four 

 years old, if at a corresponding price. Some men, and 

 often young men, fond of riding, cannot afford to give a 

 high price for a horse for their own use. He has either to 

 put up with an unsound or a blemished one. But if his 

 work is not hard, and he is a pretty fair horseman, he would 

 find it advantageous to buy a good four-years old, and use 

 him gently for a year, when, if all went well, he would have 

 a good horse at a cheaper rate. A man must understand 

 something about horses and their management to do this 

 to advantage. 



The Hack, or Riding Horse. 



In selecting a riding horse much must depend upon the 

 size and weight of the rider. The best and most useful 

 size is from 15 hands to 15 hands 2 in. The most fashion- 

 able colours are bay, brown, and dark chestnut. A really 

 good riding horse, with good action and fine manners, is 

 very difficult to find, as he must be good-looking, well 

 made, sound, and temperate, with breeding substance, 

 action, and courage. His head should be lean, the eye 

 bold and prominent, the muzzle small, with large nostrils. 

 The neck should be good, and slightly arched to bend to 

 the bridle, shoulders lie well back and strong, but not 

 heavy and loaded at the points, the body deep and round, 

 strong back and loin, with good deep quarters and good 

 firm legs and feet. He must ride lightly in hand, walk 

 pleasantly and safely, trot freely, with good action, and 

 canter easily, yielding to the bit without pulling. He 



