50 ADVICE TO BUYERS. 



and that there is this distinction between them : the former 

 is obliged to warrant a horse sound before he can sell him, 

 whereas the latter simply says that ho believes the horse 

 to be sound, and that it is not customary with him to give 

 a warranty. Thus, the first is bound by law ; the latter 

 by honor ; nevertheless there are some eccentric and nar- 

 row-minded purchasers, who, in spite of the numerous 

 bright examples of modern honor, prefer the former mode 

 of dealing to the latter. 



The first and most important point to be inquired into, 

 is the state of the feet and limbs, and whether the horse be 

 in any degree lame or not. And though it appear perfect- 

 ly firm, and free from lameness in all its paces, it will be 

 necessary to inspect carefully the feet and limbs, lest there 

 be any defect, which, at some future time, may occasion 

 lameness. It is a fact, pretty well known to horse-dealers, 

 that a slight degree of lameness is easily concealed, par- 

 ticularly in high-spirited horses, by the use of a stimulus, 

 (whip or spur, etc.), and supporting the head with the 

 bridle, so as to keep it high. To ascertain, therefore, 

 whether a horse be lame or not, he should not be ridden, 

 but a person should be made to run before him, holding 

 the end of the bridle, so that the head may receive no 

 support from it ; the slightest lameness will then be readi- 

 ly perceived, particularly if the trial bo made on rough 

 ground, and on a moderate declivity. 



Should it appear that the horse is perfectly free from 

 lameness, the feet and legs are to be carefully inspected, 

 beginning with the former, which should be first viewed in 

 front, as the horse stands, to observe if there be any dif- 

 ference in the form or size of the hoofs. If the feet are very 

 small, and particularly if one foot appears smaller than the 

 other, it affords reasonable cause for suspicion that there is 



