Buying a Horse.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 37, 25 March 1875, Page 3

Buying a Horse.

The following hints on examining a horse appear in the Farmer/ They contaimnuch good advice to the non-pro-fessional dealer, but fail to cover all the defects a horse may possess. But the chances are that the purchaser who gets a horse free from every defect herein enumerated will have a pretty souad animal. Examine the eye in the stable, then in the light ; if they are in any degree defective, reiect. Examine the teeth to determine the age. Examine tbe poll or crown of the head and the withers, or top of the shoulders, as the former is the seat of poll evil, and the latter that of fistula. Examine the front feet ; and if the frog has fallen, or settled down between the heels of the shoes, and the heels are contracted, reject him ; as he, if not already lame, is liable to become so at any moment. Next observe the knees and ankles of the horse you desire to purchase, and, if cocked, you may be sure that it is the result of the displacement of the internal organs of the foot, a consequence ofneg. lect of the form of the foot, and injudicious shdeing. Examine for interferrag, from the ankle to the knees, and if it proves that he cuts the knee, or the leg between the knee and the ankle, or the latter badly, reject. " Speedy cats " of the knee and leg are most serious in their effects. Many trotting horses, which Would be of great value were it not for this single defect, are by it rendered valueless. Carefully examine the hoofs for cracks, as jockeys have acquired great skill in concealing cracks in the hoofs. If cracks are observable in any degree, reject. Also both look .and feel for ringbones, which are callosities on the bones of the pastern near the foot, if apparent reject. Examine the hind feet for the same defects of the foot and ankle that we have named in connection with the front foot. Then proceed to the bock, which is the seat of curb, and both bones and blood spavins. The former is a bony enlargement of the posterior and lower portion of the hock joint, the second a bony excrescence of the lower, inner, and rather anterior portion of the hock ; and the last is a soft enlargement of the synovial membrane on the inner and upper portion of the back. They are either of them sufficient reason for rejecting. See that the horse stands with the front feet well under him, and observe both the heels of the feet and shoes te see if he "forges" or overreaches; and in case he does, and the toes of the front feet are low. the heels high, and the heels of the front shoes a good thickness, and the toes of the hind feet are of no length, reject' him; for if he still overreaches with his feet in the condition described, he is incurable. If he props out both front, feet, or points them alternately, reject. In testing the driving qualities, take the reins while on the ground, invite the owner to get in the vehicle first, then drive yourself. Avoid the display or the use of the whip, and if he has not sufficient spirit to exhibit his best speed without it, reject. \ Should he drive satisfactorily without, it WiU then be proper to test his amiability and the extent of his training in the use of the whip. Thoroughly test his walking qualities first, as that gait is more important in the horse of all work than great trotting speed. The value of a horse, safe for all purposes without blinds, is greatly enhanced thereby. Purchase of the breeder of the horse if practicable ; the reasons are obvious.