Buying a Horse

Southland Times, Issue 19471, 26 November 1904, Page 4 (Supplement)

Buying a Horse

• rT * — While tho farmer of all men ought to be a good judge of the type of horses most suitable to hi 9 needs, and nearly everyone thinks he is, yet there is probably no commodity which he is called upon to buy for personal use in which the averago farmer is so often deceived. To avoid mistakes In the buying horses, the farmer should make np his mind just what kind of a horse he wants before he starts out to. buy, and then moke his selection according to his own ideas, regardless of the arguments and advice of those who have horses to sell. Having determined this important point and found a horse that conforms to his idea, the next thing to do is *,o examine him to determine his soundness. Of course, it is always best to tuy oft reliable people, but often In his 6e&rch Tor just such an animal as he wants the farmer is obliged to go outside of his own neighbourhood or acquaintances, and should depend somewhat upon his own judgment in this matter. Good horses of the type which he desires may not be easily found, and when one is found the man who has good judgment of his own and uses it can generally buy with comparative safety, even though he taay have suspicions of the honesty of the owner. The horse should be carefully examined and handled, and if nny suspicions of unsoundness arc entertained he should be put to such a test as will reveal any existing weakness or defect. • If the owner objects to tUls it Is generally safe tc let him keep his horse. In making this examination to determine the soundness of a horse the whola animal should bo carefully scrutinised. It Is a common practice among unscrupuloxis dealers to call attention to possible defects in some other part than where unsoundness really exists, to divert ihe attention of the buyer, or to praise some virtue to conceal another fault. All this, however, should be disregarded, and will not occur when buying off reliable people, in which case a guaftntee of sound-^ ness will be sufficient. .A horse may be said to be nerviceably sound when . ho has no blemish or defect which disfigures him of interferes with his , usefulness. It always pays to buy sound horses, and certainly It Is desirable for the purchaser to know that they are sound and free from vicious habits or tricks at the time of ' purchase. The disposition and intelligence of the horse should be made a matter of Just as thorough' enquiry as his soundness, for ; his usefulness will depend very largely upon his kindness and tractability. •