LOW AND HIGH ACTIOX. 165 



colt was broken in ; often from a lively or sluggish 

 disposition ; and, lastly, from the nature of the 

 work the horse is accustomed to. 



The propriety of selecting or rejecting a horse 

 with high or low action, provided it is not carried 

 to a pitch so as to be decidedly objectionable, can- 

 not be determined on without reference to cir- 

 cumstances; for both styles of going, like most 

 other differences, have their pour and eontre. If 

 we know the purchaser, and the purpose for which 

 the animal is intended, advice might be given 

 without hesitation : but to offer it in general terms, 

 requires some consideration, and regard to circum- 

 stances. 



The man to whom money is no object can of 

 course buy what he pleases, without subjecting 

 himself to any permanent danger, or unpleasantry, 

 as, on finding he has erred in his judgment in the 

 purchase, he has only to direct its being got rid 

 of; and a certain loss of money is the only pro- 

 bable penalty. But as all persons are not so situated 

 as to pecuniary circumstances, a few hints to such, 

 if they save them the certainty or probability of 

 gettino; that which will occasion loss in the dis- 

 posal of it, may be held, and probably found to be, 

 useful. 



If a person buys a horse with a view to ad- 

 vantage in the resale of him, or v.ith the usual 

 wish of not being obliged to lose money should 



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