The Grange advance., 1874-10-21
Buyins|. Horse.

The following hints on examining q
horse appears in The Maryland Farmer.
They contain much good advice to the
non professional dealer, but fail to cover
all the defects horse may possess. But
the chances are that the purchaser who
gets horse free from every defect here
in enumerated will have a pretty sound
animal.
Examine the eyes in THE stable, then
iH 5sfses;1ss; sss ;sns 1s;is, i5 they are degree
| Examine che 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 fistu-
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 hiu; as he, if not al
ready lame, is liable to become so at any
moment.
Next observe the knees and ankles of
the horse you desire to purchase, and,
if cooked, you may be sure that it is the
result Of the displacement Of the inter-
nal organs Of the foot, consequence Of
neglect Of the form Of the foot, and in
ljudicious shoeing.
| Examine for interfering, from the
ankle to the knee. and if it proves that
he cuts the knee, or the leg between the
knee and the ankle. or the latter badly,
reject.
| "Speedy cuts" Of the knee and leg
are most serious in their effects. Many
trotting horses, which would be of great
value were it not for this single defect,
are by it rendered valueless.
Carefully examine the hoots for cracks,
as jockeys have acquired great skill in
concealing cracks in the hoofs If
cracks are observable in any degree, re-
Iject Also both look and feel for ring
bones, which are callosites on the bones
Of the pastern near the foot; if appar.
ent, reject.
j Examine the hind feet for the same
: defects of the foot and ankle that we
have named in connection with the front
foot. Then proceed to the hook, which
is the seat of curb, and both bones and
blood spavins.
The former is bony enlargement Of
the posterior and lower portion of the
hook joint; the second bony excres
cence on the lower, inner, and rather
anterior portion of the hook; and the
last is a soft enlargement of the syno.
vial membrane on the inner and uppe,
portions of the back. They are eithe,
of them sufficient reason for reject
ing.
Il See that the horse stands witt the
front feet well under him, and observe
: both the heels of the feet and shoes to
see if he FORCES" or overreaches; ano
: in case he does, and the toes Of tht
= front feet are low, the hee& high. anG
the heels Of the front shoe a good thick
. ness and tho toes of the hind feet ar,
Of no proper length, reject him; for i
he still overreaches with his feet in tn,
condition described, he is incurable. l
he props out both front feet, or points
them alternately, reject.
Il In testing the driving qualities, tax,
the reins while on the ground, inyitt
0 the owner to get in the vehicle first
s then drive yourself Avoid the displa,
? or the use of the whip; and if he ha
: not sufficient spirit to exhibit his bes
l speed without it, reject Should h
D drive satisfactorily without, it will ther
r be proper to test his amiability and tn
t extent Of his trainining in the use o
9 the whip.
Thoroughly test his walking qualitie
t first, as that gait is more important ii
, the horse Of all work than great trottin,
speed. The value of horse, safe 70
all purposes without blinds, is greatl,
= enhanced thereby.
i Purchase Of the breeder of the hors,
it practicable; the reasons are obvious
I, "She died for me-" said young hus
band when he beheld the dark lock,
| gradually returnino to %ho;r