BUYING A HORSE 59 



learn something of the seller. For should your bargain 

 not turn out as you expected, upon further acquaintance, 

 trial, and second examination, you will be aware what 

 chance of satisfaction or redress you have against the 

 vendor. 



The horse, if returned, must of course be in the same 

 condition in which he was received, except so far as the 

 disease for which he is returned may have progressed in 

 the meantime. 



It is advisable to inquire of the seller how he has been 

 accustomed to diet and clothe the animal; whether his 

 feet were stopped ; and the same treatment should be 

 pursued till his soundness is ascertained. 



Note the temperature of the stable ; if his new habita- 

 tion be hotter, you may probably induce an inflammatory 

 attack of the lungs. 



Beware of putting a saddle on a new horse that does 

 not fit him. While the question of soundness is still doubt- 

 ful, it is far better to use the saddle he has been accus- 

 tomed to, for if his back becomes galled while trying him, 

 which is not unusual, the dealer will object to take him 

 back unless full compensation is made ; and reasonably so, 

 for he is unfitted for sale or for work till it is healed, 

 which is not to be effected in a day. It is also a point for 

 calculation whether he may not chance to fall sick while 

 standing in high condition in stable — in which case the 

 dealer is subjected to loss. 



Never forget that every horse is adapted to some particular 

 purpose ; for horses not only differ in kind, but, like men, 

 in courage, temper, intelligence, stamina, etc., and the 

 selection of them, in regard to these particulars, constitute 

 the most arduous and nicest duties of the buyer. He should 

 be able readily to acknowledge good or bad conformation ; 

 trace breeding in the outline, and discover what indicates 

 good or bad in instinctive or in constitutional qualities. 



It requires some experience, but more attentive observa- 

 tion, to be what is termed a "judge " in horse phraseology. 

 To know at once, almost by a cast of the eye, whether the 

 nag is likely to suit. Is he cut out for a hackney, or is he 

 calculated for harness ? Does he look like a hunter, or has 

 he serviceable stoutness, a quiet eye, and look likely for the 

 road ? Does he show blood, or is he all over a " cross-bred 



