BUYING HORSES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3839, 24 June 1873, Page 3

BUYING HORSES.

The first point to ascertain is his height, a most difficult one to judge of without actual measurement in large, lofty stables. Indeed, there are few things more deceptive than the apparent height of a horse, under any circumstances. Standing close to his shoulder, bring your nose down till it touch the skin below the withers. This, assuming your height to be about 5 feet 9 iacheb, will show as nearly fifteen hands as possible ; the excess, three, four, or fire inches, are readily calculated. We consider sixteen hands about the best height for a hunter. You will then look into his eye, which should be full and clear, reflecting, as in a mirror, the image of your own sweet self. It is impossible to judge accurately of the moral qualities of a horse tinder such circumstances, bufc if, when you " gentle" him, he answers to the caress by arching his neck, and poking his nose into your hand, you may be assured that he is quiet, at least in the stable, and has kept good company. A white mark on the upper part of the throat betokens a oribber ; it has been caused by the Btrap used to check that objectionable and readily communicated habit. A like mark above the hock indicates a kicker in the stable, swelled bocks a kicker out of it as well. The next point to ascertain is the horse's age ; it is not probable you can do this accurately, but by placing your left hand gently on bis nose, and passing your fin* ger behind the tusk, you will ascertain ita shape and dimentions ; if long and round, the horse is old, if short and sharp, young ; if short and ragged, the tusk has been broken to give a fictitious appear ance of youth ; but the sunken eye and hanging lip will, to a practised eye at least, afford an unerring proof of age. A young horse will probably not object to your examining the rest of his teeth, and although you may not know his- age within a year or two, the black bean-like mark, if apparent, will at least show tba' the horse is young. The forelegs are the next to be examined — a most important point. Pass your hand down the front of each, clasping the bone with finger and thumb. If clean and smooth, and flat and cool, it is all right— a slight excrescence, known as a splint, if not touching or very near to the sinews, is not of much account, but a horse should have what are called "clean" legs. The sinews themselves should stand out firm, hard, and prominent. Broken knees you will, of course, be on the look out for. A more important matter still is the shape or conformation of the hoof ; on it, in fact, depends the whole practical utility of the horse, and on no portion of his anatomy is the meddlesome stupidity of man, who thinks he knows better what is for the benefit of the animal than his Maker, more mischievously employed. Externally, the hoof should slope at an angle of fortyfive ; if less the hoof is too upright, if more, too flat. Internally, it will too frequently be found on examination that the beautiful mechanism of nature has been cruelly and wickedly destroyed. The frog bas been pared away, the bars removed, the heels lowered, the whole anatomy of the foot destroyed. Unless in very young horses the mischief is irremediable, and sooner or later, new or shortly, the horse is ruined. " No foot, no horse," bas been a maxim time out of mind, " No 'ock, no 'unter," waß Mr Jorrock's amend ment. We heartily endorse both axioms. Look well at the hocks ; but we must admit that you may look very carefully and still be no whit the wiser, for the hock is the most difficult point to judge off, and it requires good experience to do so effectually. Better now have the animal "pulled out," "rundown," "walked down," and "trotted down," on the stones. Regard him with a jealous eye, and if no sign of lameness appear, make up your mind to what extent, within his apparent value, you mean to bid, and don't be tempted to bid beyond it. Unless well known, a horse sells at auction, as a rule, at less than two-thirds his apparent value, on account of the manifold risks the purchaser runs. You have the third in hand, by way of insurance, and it is generally sufficient — at least we have so found it. — " Land and Water."