BUYING A SADDLE-HOESE. 



145 



the most successful 'New York Citj dealers grant this 

 privilege to any responsible customer as a matter of 

 course. To return to our inspection : First take a side 

 view from a little distance, observing tliat he stands 

 perpendicularly on all four legs, bearing equal weight 

 on each ; any " pointing," or putting forward of a fore- 

 foot to relieve it of its share of weight, being indicative 

 of tenderness if not lameness, IS^otice tlie size, shape, 

 and relative proportion of the different parts, and scru- 

 tinize them carefully for swellings, or for weakened or 

 deformed joints. Then do the same from before, then 

 from behind. Now have him led past 3'ou, first at a 

 walk, then at a slow trot, insisting that tlie groom shall 

 not take him by the headstall, but by the end of the 

 halter, so as to leave him free to nod his head if he 

 pleases. JSTow have him saddled and bridled, and all 

 his paces shown, finishing with a smart gallop long 

 enough to sweat him well, after which listen carefully 

 to his breathing, which should be noiseless ; observe 

 that the heaving of the flanks is regular and not spas- 

 modic, and that the beating of the heart is not violent 

 or irregular. During your week of trial take some dis- 

 interested person with you to serve as witness in case 

 of accident or misconduct, and work the horse hard ev- 

 ery day, so as to be sure that he does not lose his ap- 

 petite when fatigued, but being careful not to injure 

 his feet by galloping on hard roads, or to let him slip 

 or strain himself in any way. Remember the oft-quoted 

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