VI PREFACE. 



Men accustomed to horses will not be at all 

 surprised at my having taken this view of the 

 subject ; well knowing that perfection is not to be 

 got, and that the selection or rejection of a horse 

 should not depend upon any existing imperfec- 

 tion, but upon its extent at the time of purchase, 

 and its probable result. 



In a subordinate way there is, moreover, some- 

 wdiat of a spirit of philanthropy in the work, if 

 the term may be allowed figuratively to apply to 

 horse as well as man, for it comes in aid of the 

 unfortunate. The purchaser is unfortunate if he 

 cannot find a good horse ; the horse is still more 

 so, if he cannot find a good master. Now, if my 

 humble efforts are conducive in bringing both to- 

 gether, the purchaser will be fortunate — and the 

 horse likewise ; and ten thousand times more for- 

 tunate shall I be than either, if from that circum- 

 stance this work should find some favour in the 

 eye of the public. 



H. H. 



