12 THE FARMER'S 



The above are the most prominent marks or 

 points, as they are called, of a good horse. In 

 the purchase of a horse, however, many other cir- 

 cumstances are to be taken into consideration. It 

 is of immense consequence that he should have 

 perfect feet. It is obvious, that a horse with bad 

 feet, however good his points may be, must be 

 rather a useless animal. A horse with bad feet, is 

 always an unsafe horse; he will al'.vays trip, and is 

 very liable to fall. Any tenderness or uneasiness 

 about a horse's feet, renders him unsafe. Even a 

 shoe, that does not set easy, will surely cause a 

 hovse to trip. 



When a horse is offered for sale, I would advise 

 the purchaser to ask one question, viz: Is he in 

 all respects perfectly sound? Should a cheat be 

 practised on you, an action would lie against the 

 seller, and damages could be recoverable; but be 

 your own judge, not permitting any declaration 

 that may be made by the seller, to alter your opin- 

 ion of form, age, condition, movements, action, &c. 

 As the eyes of a horse are the most important or- 

 gan, first let him undergo a strict examination, 

 [in open day light;] ascertain his age, examine his 

 figure and action, guarding yourself against being 

 too much pleased or fascinated with the appearance 

 of a new object; view his feet and legs; large 

 ridges on the hoofs,or very flat feet, discover a horse 

 to be subject to founder: large gouty legs, with en- 

 larged tendons, indicate strains and other injuries. 

 Examine his hind legs with great attention, just 

 below the hock, and inside the hind knee: if there 

 is any unnatural prominence, or knot, unlike the 

 other knee, it wears the appearance of a spavin, 

 which renders a horse of but little value. Splint, 



