Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-12-28
How 10 Choose FHOr.e.

A writer in the London Spectator gives
some advice about the selection of fam
lily horse, which We copy below, -.1i % sL
sit need scarcely be said that ear
riage-horse is often pleasant for riding,
though conversely it may be improved by
it. Practically therefore, a horse is not
likely to do more than one thing well.
This extends even to-its PAGES. The high.
action Of. good trotter is often, accompa-
MED by slow, rather mincing walk; but
horse that gallops Asell is pretty certain
to cover ground rapidly in walking. We,
agree with a1sknowing hand that a man
who is tolerable horsemana had better
choose high-couraged horse. A badly
bred horse may often be strong, hardy
animal, but it will knock up if it is pushed
while the thoroughbred ought not to be
chosen for pounding along turnpike roads,
as its legs will not stand constant hammer
ing. A cob had better be avoided, un-
less. its history is known, as no horse is
more likely to be tricky. For several
reasons it is better to buy a horse under
seven years old. With such one reli-
able guaranty of age can be procured
whereas the horses that are just aged, that
is to saw, just eight when they come into
the market, occur in numbers that might
battle Quetelet. Again, horses are SO
badly used and SO oYerworked in England,
that it is quite uncertain how much strength
an eight or nine-year horse may RETAIN,
As rule, no animal that has been hacked
at such places as Brighton or Oxford ought
to be bought. After year or two of
such work the month is generally spoiled
and the sinews of the leg go. Some Per.
sons consider color an indication of tenn
per, and distrust bright chestnut. We be-
Iieve the rule is sound, but the exceptions
are numerous The ears and the eyes of
horse, when it is first led out, when its
mouth is handled, when a whip is shaken
near It, and when it is backed, are much
better criteria of anger, no less than of
fear, and are easily recognized. Irish
horses, excellent as fencers, are apt to be
of difficult temper. A horse sometimes
oyerhangs its fore legs, so to speak. This
is dangerous fault, as the center of graY-
ity being too far forward, the beast is like
" to stumble. A horse with its belly
tucked in as it is called, that is to say,
going up backwards, as in a griffin-a
fault more common in carriage horses than
in hacks-feeds and fattens badk, and
will wear out rather sooner than another.
Ladies and cockneys are little apt to adj
mire thin-chested, spindle-shanked horses.
Of course this is mistake. A deep,
broad chest is indispensable for wind, and
thin-boned leg will be easily knocked to
pieces We have mentioned only the
points that an experienced purchaser can
remark for himself, and that do not enter
into warranty. As to positive vices or dis
eases, he can only guard against them by
buying through respectab able veterinary or
from an honest horse-dealer We believe
the common opinion about the especial
rascality of the trade to be mistaken
one, and we would sooner buy ourselves
from dealer than from private owner
who is apt to form a fancy estimate of his
property, and is often ignorant of any un-
soundness or tricks, i