144 HINTS ON BUYING. 



along with its companion. Some horses have been 

 driven on one side only, and nothing will make 

 them run in double harness on the other side. 



When a horse has been broken to single harness, but 

 refuses to move when it comes into fresh hands, it 

 may be that it has been driven with an open bridle. 

 In any case, if such happens, an endeavour should 

 be made to trace the history of the animal, so that 

 it may be possible to ascertain the cause of its 

 refusal to work 



A sound horse is not necessarily a good one. In 

 fact, one may go a very long time before finding a 

 perfectly sound animal, and after having done so, 

 it may be a slug of the first order. 



You may hear what the seller or his grooms have 

 to say about a particular horse, but be careful to 

 satisfy yourself as to the correctness of such state- 

 ments. 



If you intend buying a horse from a dealer, pay 

 your visit unexpectedly, so as to see the stud 

 under ordinary circumstances. 



If you buy without professional examination, you 

 must endeavour to ascertain the animal's correct 

 age, as very few sellers of horses refuse to wear the 

 regulation hat, in order to comply with the intend- 

 ing purchaser's views as to age. 



