The Stable Handbook 



that people are often not nearly such bad judges 

 of a horse as they think they are. If a man can 

 ride fairly and drive moderately well, he has it in 

 his power to become, with pains and experience, a 

 very fair judge of a horse and quite able to pick 

 one out for himself. The man who can ride and 

 drive has the means of learning two very important 

 points about a horse : first, whether the animal 

 can go ; and secondly, whether it is fairly 

 manageable. 



The mistakes that would-be purchasers make 

 are two : first, they ask too much advice, when 

 their own common sense would be a far better 

 guide ; and in the next place they try to do, or to 

 get a friend to do for them, what can only be done 

 by the veterinary surgeon. For most people a 

 veterinary examination by a reputable and qualified 

 practitioner is desirable. It is not always necessary 

 to refuse a horse that is otherwise suitable because 

 of a technical unsoundness, but the opinion of a 

 veterinary surgeon is valuable. 



If a horse carries you well and trots fairly well 

 in harness, and passes the veterinary surgeon, it 

 is more than likely that he will be serviceable 

 enough. Nevertheless, there are a few points 

 that may be noted. First, look at the horse's eye. 

 There is no mistaking the expression of a horse 

 with a kind and sensible look in his eyes. It is 

 not merely a large, full eye we want, for very wild 

 and nervous horses have these, but a certain clear, 

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