RECEIPT BOOK. 13 



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which appears on the inside of the fore legs, and 

 wind-galls, upon the ancles, are unpleasant to the 

 eye, but seldom produce serious lameness; they 

 furnish plain proof that a horse has been servicea- 

 ble, and are very seldom productive of any other 

 injury than stiffness, as he advances in years. 

 Ride yourself, for the purpose of trying his gaits 

 and qualities — as a rider, accustomed to a horse 

 by private signs, such as manner of riding, bear- 

 ing on the bit, leaning forward or backward, hold- 

 ing the heels close to his sides, kc, can make a 

 dull horse appear gay and spirited, a wild horse 

 gentle, a stumbler clear footed; one that is blind 

 appear to see, and a starting horse free from that 

 great objection, Sec. Before mounting him, exam- 

 ine his knees, to discover if they are skinned, the 

 hair off, or scarred; those are strong symptoms of 

 his politeness to a fault. Ride with your bridle 

 loose over any uneven ground: if he is in fhe habit 

 of stumbling, he will very readily inform you — 

 then approach some object offensive to the sight: 

 if he appears much alarmed, stopping suddenly, 

 and attempt to turn round, paying but little respect 

 to the bearing of the bridle, you may judge he has 

 long been in the habit of that bad practice, jkide 

 him in all his different gaits, to ascertain if they 

 are smooth, easy, and agreeable; move him about 

 a mile, out and back, in fully half speed; frequent- 

 ly stopping him suddenly to try his wind, also if he 

 is spavined. If his wind has been injured, he will 

 blow unnaturally; making a loud wheezing noise, 

 with great difficulty of breathing. While warm 

 ride him in cold water above the belly; after which 

 let him cool fifteen or twenty minutes, and if he is 

 spavined, and has received temporary rehef by 



