lo8 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



him, there are certain characteristics which figure as 

 badges of merit, and may be briefly and imperfectly 

 enumerated. Were there but a definite pattern to 

 apply to this task, results would be much more satis- 

 factory ; failing it, we must trust to observation and 

 native intuition. 



Women are surprisingly good judges of horse- 

 flesh. By that is meant that the feminine eye is 

 strong for proportion and harmony of outline, while 

 a woman is burdened with no prejudice, as to this 

 fine quarter or that good shoulder, basing her verdict 

 simply and solely upon whether the subject, per se, 

 appeals to her as desirable. If when " shopping," a 

 horse does so to you, and if price and accomplish- 

 ments are within requirements, buy him, and rest 

 quite assured that you probably have made a satis- 

 factory purchase, even if Uncle Tom doesn't like 

 his feet, if Cousin Harry hardly fancies his back, 

 and if Brother Dick calls him too light below the 

 knee. 



Never be guided by the opinion of groom, farmer, 

 or any of the vast tribe who " know a lot about 



