THE 



EARMER'S GUIDE. 



THE HORSE. 



Of all animals created for the use of man, the horse is 

 acknowledged to be the most serviceable, and is the most 

 abused by the unthinking and unmerciful. It is tracta- 

 ble, if broken while young. While it is difficult at this 

 day to determine from what quarter of the world horses 

 were originally brought, it is most probable that they 

 came from Asia. They likewise, for ages, have been 

 found in their wild state, in the vast plains of Africa, and 

 in other parts of the world, where their meat has been 

 used for food by the natives. 



TO CHOOSE A HORSE.* 



While it requires much skill to select a horse that is 

 good in every respect, it is very difficult to give such par- 

 ticular directions as will always insure the purchaser 

 against being deceived. To those unacquainted with 

 this animal, and the arts and deceptions often practised 

 by the horse-dealer, it may appear unaccountable that 

 as definite instructions can not be given for the purchase 

 of a Jiorse as of other animals. A few general direc- 

 tions are all the limits of this work will allow. A short 

 trial is the best way of estimating his worth ; but where 

 this is not allowed, the following suggestions are submit- 

 ted, and, if followed, will be as sure a safeguard as it is 

 possible to have. 



The ej/es should first be examined as closely as possi- 

 ble, as dealers of long experience are often deceived in 

 them. Clearness of the eyes is a pretty sure evidence of 

 their goodness. It is a bad sign when they appear life- 

 less or unusually flat. Again, it is a sure indication of 



