Mower County transcript., 1871-07-27
Examination of Horses for Purchase

Unless proper precautiOn is used In the
examination of horses for purchase, the
law will not protect man for the con-
sequences of bis own neglect; and it has
been held that warranty against apparent
defects is bad in law, the purchaser being
expected not only to possess ordinary
skill, but TO exhibit ordinary caution.
A defective horse is dear at any price,
whilst the value of good one, is, as COM
pared with bad one, infnity to nothing.
In choosing a horse, let the buyer be ever
mSSa GSGa hs hqa&s a4a als % iasRs9s21 sys5 81
trust. A perfect knowledge can only be
obtained on trial, which should always be
taken, if possible, but which is not always
to be had. For instance, some horses
when turned of six or seven years old are
subject to dry chronic cough, which
comes on at uncertain times perhaps twice
or thrice day, sometimes after feeding or
drinking; or changes of temperature may
induce it, as when he comes into or goes
out of stable. Occasionally dose of
physic, and in some cases little attention
to his diet, will prevent re occurrence OF
his cough for two or three days, or even
weeks, when it will re-appear.
With respectable dealer, after using
your eyes and discretion, you had better
depend on the warranty, and his character,
than by any necessary display of suspicion,
Extensively question his honesty. Never
theless, as the trade is taken up by needy
gentlemen of good standing in society,
and broken down black legs, of respect
able connections, who are ever ready to
give warranty not worth dump or sa-
tisfaction, if you are dissatisfied thereat;
if you have reasons to suspect the horse,
or his master, the directions laid down
will be found useful. Always bear In
mind that the observation Of one symp-
ton should induce the examiner to follow
up the inquiry into those other symptoms
which are characteristic of the suspected
disease, defect or unsoundness.
The best time to view horse is early in
the morning, in the stables, as then if there
is any stiffness in the joints, or tendency
to swelled legs, it will be most apparent.
The horse should always be examined
from state of rest. If there are any
symptoms of his having been previously
exercised, such as sweat about his withers,
or his legs have been recently washed, it
is advisable he should be left in his stall
till cool; for there is more than one
species of lameness which becomes less
apparent after exercise, and where there
is q tendency to swelled legs, smart trOt
and grooming will fine his legs, and rem
der them clean.
This precautionary measure is more e.
pecially to be taken when you suspect
your man; for in horse buying We have
to deal with gentry who are acquainted
with the science of imposition in all its
ramifications. A stable examination is the
best for observing indications of: wind
sucking, crib-biting, chronic cough, the
state of the respiration and for discover
ing vice.
For this purpose, always have horse
shown quietly; when there is much noise
and hustle, there is generally something
wrong; and when the animal is agitated,
slight lameness will escape the eye
The first thing to be observed is, that
when standing evenly. the weight is
thrown equally on both feet. If there be
any complaint in the fore feet, one will
probably be "pointed," that is extended
before the other, or he will frequently
alter the position of them, taking one up
and setting the other down; or the hind
legs will be brought under the body to
relieve the fore feet of some portion of the
weight. Any of these symptoms will di-
rect your attention to the feet when you
see him out.
To Judge Of his respiration it is neces-
sary to be acquainted with the indications
of health. Observe if the flank alternately
rises and falls with regularity. In health
the respiration Of the horse is from four to
eight per minute, average six in the day
time, during sleep it is hardly more than
four. If quicker than ordinary it betokens
present fever, other symptoms will be de.
veloped, such as increased pulse, coated
tongue, and dullness, while the delicate
pink appearance which the membrane
covering the nOstrils assumes in health,
will be increased in color.
But if none of these symptoms of i'll
health are present, and yet if the horse
heaves at the flank more than ordinary, If
the weather be moderate, and the stable
not oppressively hot. it is probable such q
horse is thick.winded.
When inspiration appears to be per-
formed readily and quickly as in health by
single action, but expiration with diff:
Guilty by an irregular and prolonged
movement, or double action, the respira-
tory muscles appearing as if interrupted in
the act of expeiling the air, and then the
flank drops suddenly, it is symptom of
broken wind. His cough should then be
tried. The cough of broken-winded
horse is peculiar low hollow grunt, diff
cult to describe, but when once heard is
easily recognizcd.-American Stock Jour.