BUYING A HORSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 192, 27 August 1900, Page 4

BUYING A HORSE.

' Never,' says An Old Horsemanbuy a horse in harness. Unhitch him and take everything off bim but his halter, and lead him around. If he has a corn or is stifl", or has any failing, you can see it. Let him go himself away, and if he walks right into anything you know he is blind. No matter how slear and bright his eyes are, he. can't see any more that a bat. Back him, too. Some horses show their weaknesses and tricks in that way when they don't in any other. But, be as smart, as you can, you'll get caught sometimes. Even the experts get stuck, A horse may look ever so nice and go a great pace, and yet have fits. There isn't a man who could tell it until something happens, Or he may have a weak back. Give him the whip, and off hi< goes for a mile or two, then all of a sudden he stops on the road. After a rest he starts again, but he soon stops for good, and nothing but a derrick can start him. The wtak iioiiits about a horse can better be dis;:oved while standing than while moving, If he is sound he will stand lirmly and squarely on his limbs without moving them, with legs plumb and naturally poised; or if the foot is taken from the ground and the weight taken from it, disease may be suspected, or at least tenderness, which is the precursor of disease. If a horse stands with his feet spread apart or straddles with his hind legs there is weakness in his loias and the kidneys are disordered,