Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-08-04
Examination of Horses for Purchase

J
Having found horse whose exterior con-
formation, size, and apparent strength, seem
suitable to your purpose, we will now pro-
coed to give such information as will enable
! the buyer, by careful examination, to recos-
nize those defects, blemishes, symptoms and
appearances, which latent disease and iniur-
les assume, and thus prepare him TO detect
the multitudinous impositions which have
been TesOrted to by the lower class of deal
ers. to disguise indications Of unsoundness.
Unless proper preoaution is used in the ex-
animation OF horses for purchase. the law
will not protect man for the consequences
Of his 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.
\ defective horse is dear at any price,
whist the value Of a good one, is, as com
pared with bad one, as Infnity to nothing.
In choosing a horse, let the buyer be ever 50
coed judge, and his inspection ever so mi
mute. he must take some things on trust. 4
perfect knowledge can only be obtained on
trial, which should always be taken, if posi-
bic, 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 a day, sometimes al
ter feeding or drinking; or changes Of tenn
perature may induce it, as when he comes
INTO, or goes out of stable Occasionally 4
dose OF physic, and in some cases a little at
tcntion to his diet, will prevent re-oecurence
Of his cough for two or three days, or even
weeks, when it will reappear.
With n respectable dealer, after using
your eyes and discretion, you had better de-
pend on the warranty, and his character.
than by any unnecessary display Of suspicion,
Extensively question his honesty. Neverthe-
less as the trade is taken up by needy gentle
men of good standing in society, and broken
down blacklegs, of respectable connections,
who are ever ready to give a warranty not
worth a dump, or satisfaction, if YOU are
dissatisfied thereat; or if you have reasons
to suspect the horse. or his master. the dircc-
tions laid down will be found useful Al
WAYS bear in mind that the observation Of
one symptom should induce the examiner 10
follow up the inquiry into those other symp-
toms which are characteristic Of the suspect
cd disease, defect or unsoundness.
The best time to view horse is carly 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
a state of rest. If there are any symptoms
of his having been previously exercised, such
as sweat about his withers, ct his legs have
been recently washed, it is advisable he
should be ieft in his stall till cool for there
is more than one species Of lameness, which
becomes less apparent after exercise, and
where there is a tendency 10 swelled legs a
smart trot and grooming will fine his legs,
and render them clean.
This precautionary measure Is more espec-
ially 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 the imposition in all its ramihca-
tons. \ stable examination is the best for
observing indications Of wind-sucking, crib
biting, chronic cough, the state Of the respl-
ration and for discovering vice.
For this purpose, always have horse
shown quietly; when the.e is much noise
and hustle, there is generally something
wrong; and when the animal is agitate1,
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 COM
plaint in the fore feet, one will probably be
uointed, that is extended before the 9TH
er. or he will frequently alter the position of
them taking one up and setting the other
down: or the hind legs viii be brought un-
der the body to relieve the fore feet Of some
portion Of the weight. ANY Of these symp-
I f.nf
when you see him out.
To Judge Of his respiration, Ii is necessary
to be acquainted with the indications
Of health. Observe if the dank 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. lfquicker than ordinary, it betokens
present fever, other symptoms viii be devel-
oped, such as increased pulse, heat Of mouth
and dullness, while the delicate pink appear
ance which the membrane covering chc par
tition Of the n0strils assumes in health, will
be increased in color.
But if none Of these symptoms Of il-health
are present, and yet 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-wind-
ed.
When inspiration appears to be performed
readily and quickly as in health by single
action, but expiration with difficulty by an
irregular and prolonged movement, or double
action, the respiratory muscles appearing as
if interrupted in the act Of expelling the air,
and then the flank drops suddenly, it Is a
svmptom of broken wind His cough
should then be tried. The cough of broken
en-winded horse is a peculiar low hollow
grunt, difficult to describe, but when once
heard is easily recognized.-AmTicaR Stock
Journal