BUYING A HORSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1242, 18 September 1875, Page 18

BUYING A HORSE.

Examine the eye in the stable, then in the light ; if they are ia any way defective, reject. Examine the teeth to determine the age. Examine the 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, reject him ; as he, if not already lame, is liable to become so at any minute. 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 misplacement of the internal organs of the foot, a consequence of the neglect of the form of the foor, and injudicious shoeing. Examine for interfering, from the ankle to the knees, and if it pioves that he cuts the knee or the leg between the knee and ankle or the latter, badly, reject. " Speedy cuts " of the knee and leg are most serious in their effects. Many trotting horses, which would be of great value were it not for thiß single defect, are by it rendered valueless. Carefully examine the hoofs for cracks, as jockeys have acquired great skill in concealing crack 3in the hnofs. If cracks are observable in any degree, reject. Albo both look and feel for ringbones, which are callosities on the pastern near the feet ; if apparent, reject. Examine the feet for the same defects of the foot and ankle that we have named in connection with the front foot. Then proceed to the hock, which is the seat of curb and both bjne 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 interior portion of the hock ; and the last is a soft enlargement of the synovial membrane on the inner and upper portion of the hock. They are either of them sufficient for rejecting. See that the horse stands with the front feet well under him, and observe both the heels of the feet and shoes to 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 of good thickness, and the toes of the hind feet are of no proper lengthy reject him ; for if ho still overreaches with his feet in the condition described, he is incurable. If he prop 3 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 into ' the vehicle first, then drive yourself. Avoid the display or the use of the whip j.and if he has not sufficient spirit to exhibit hijj best speed without it, re^ct. Should he driye fcgtiS'

factorily without it, it will 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.

Sundry Matters. — Look to the horses in time, and keep them rough shod, or use the Goodenough shoe, which has no caulks, and is the safest shoe we know of for winter or summer use. Procure seeds for the spring, before the busy time of the seedsmen arrives, when there may be delay or disappointment. Select seeds from the granary while there ia opportunity to choose the heaviest and largest grains. Keep all seeds in a dry, cool place .... Watch the outlets of the drains, that they do not become closed up : if there is a swamp on the farm, now is the time to dig ditches through it, drain it, and get out a supply of muck for use next winter. . . . Although a man's work lies chiefly out of doors, let him not neglect to give every possible aid to those who keep the house, and relieve them from work which may expose them to the inclemencies of the weather.

New Fanuled Notions. — We are always sorry for a young farmer, who thinks he is going to get rich by adopting some scientific suggestion, or some mechanical invention, or by raising some new variety of graiii or fruit, or keeping some lauded breed of cattle, sheep, or swine. It won't do. It is beginning at the wrong end. Better at first follow the practice adopted by the best farmers in the neighbourhood, and then, after a few years' experience, gradually adopt any improvement you may see, or hear of, or read about. In the meantime, the real aim of the farmer should be, to get his work done as promptly, as effectively, and as cheaply as possibly. Good Advice to the Litigious. — Bofore you go into a lawsuit, carefully calculate your cost, if you had not better put your money into a sheep, a new carriage for your family, a cow for your son and daughter, or a thousand other things that might give you much more profit and happiness. The malicious delight you feel in gloating over a neighbour's discomfitures is not happiness, but only its miserable counterfeit. It is a disposition near akin to that which loat spirits feel. Root this out of your heart, if you would not be for ever miserable.