HOW TO BUY A HORSE 38 1 



grounded suspicion may be entertained that all is not 

 right. 



Besides the points to which v/e have directed 

 attention in the examination of the mouth, are the 

 teeth, whereby the age of the horse is determined. 

 Take care that he has not been bishoped (201) ; or 

 had a tooth extracted (191). The different changes 

 of these w^e have very fully described at p. 184. But 

 besides the dental indications, the physical signs of 

 age must also be looked to ; because a young horse 

 may have been early and hard worked, and to that 

 extent that he is to all intents and purposes aged in 

 strength and action. When heated by being trotted 

 or galloped, all his infirmities will disappear ; but these 

 will re-appear whenever he is again cooled down. 



A horse with an upright shoulder is more fitted for 

 harness than riding ; and a sloping one is best adapted 

 for riding, from having generally better action and 

 less of his own weight to sustain on his fore-legs. A 

 long-necked horse is generally admired ; but we 

 consider this a fault, as such are generally weak, and 

 are predisposed to roaring. Short-necked horses are 

 for the m.ost part clear in the v/ind ; but one of medium 

 length should be preferred. When the head joins the 

 neck at too sharp an angle, it is always disagreeable 

 to the eye. Horses whose limbs have marks of having 

 been fired, should never be purchased but at a low 

 price, for it is a proof of disease : although many 

 horses will work well after being cauterised ; we have 

 known animals of high reputation as hunters and 

 racers, which have been subjected to this opera- 

 tion. 



When the cornea of the eye is of a yellowish tinge, 

 it is indicative of liver complaint. This being observed, 

 turn up the lips and notice their internal structure, and 



