The Portland daily press., 1874-11-24
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Purchasing n Horse.

Purchasing n Horse
Examine the eye in the stable, then in the
light; if they are in any degree defective, re-
ject. sHEEF
Examine the teeth to determine the age.
Examine the poll or crown of the head and
the withers, or top of the shoulders, as the
former is the seat of poll evil, and the latter
that of fistula
Examine the front feet; and if the frog has
fallen, or settled down between the heels of
the shoes, and the heels are contracted reject
him; as he, if not already lame, is liable to
be SO at any moment. .t
Next observe the knees and ankles of the
horse yon desire TO purchase, and, il crooked
you may be sure that it is the result of the
displacement of the internal organs of the
foot, a consequence of neglect of the form of
the foot and injudcious shoeing.
Examine for interfering, from the ANGLE to
the knee, ard ii it proves that he cuts the
knee, or the leg between the knee and ankle,
or the latter badly reject.
''Seedy cuts" Of the knee and leg are most
serious in their effects. Many troting horses
which would be OF great value were it not for
this single defect. are by it rendered valueless.
Carefully examine the hoofs for cracks, as
jockeys have acquired great skill in conceal
ing cracks in the hoofs. If cracks are OBJ
servable in any degree, reject. Also both
look aud 'eel for rngbones, which are callos-
ities.Dn the bones of the pastern near the
foot; if apparent, reject.
Examine the hind feet for the same defects
of the foot and ankle that we have named in
connection with the front foot. Then pro-
coed to the hook, which is the seat of the
curb, and both bone and blood spavins. "a
The former is bony enlargement of the
posterior and the lower portion of the hook
joint; the second a bony excrescence on the
on the lower, inner, and rather another por-
tion OF the hook; and the last is a soft enlarg.
ment of the synoval membrane on the inner
and upper portion of the hook. They are
either of them sufficient re ason for rejecting.
See that the horse stands with his front
feet well under him, and observe both the
heels of the feet and shoes to see if he
"forges" or overreaches and in case he does,
and the toes of the trout feet are low, the
heels high, and the heels of the front shoes
good thickness, and the toes of the hind
feet are of no proper length, reject him; for
if he still overreaches with his feet in the
condition described. he is incurable. If he
props out both font feet or points them al
ternately, reject.
To testing the driving qualities, take the
reins while on the ground, invite the owner
TO get 10 tie vehicle first, then drive yourself.
Avoid the display or use of the whip; and if
he has not sufficient spirit to exhibit bis best
speed without it, reject. Should he drive
satisfactorily without, it would then be proper
TO test his amibility and the extent of his
training in the use of the whip.
Thoroughly test his walking qualities first,
as that gait is more important in the horse
of all work than great trotting speed The
value of horse. safe for all purposes without
binders, is greatly enchaneed thereby.
Purchase of the breeder of the horse il
practicable; the reasons are abvious.- Nary
land Farmer. 49,