Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-01-29
Rules for Purchasing . Horse.

/. Examine the eyes in the stable,
then in the light; if they are i'll any
way defective, reject.
2. Examine the teeth to determine
the age.
8. 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
tistula.
4. Examine the front feet, and if
the frog has fallen or settled down
between the heels Of the shoe and the
heels are contracted, reject him; as
he, if not already lame, is liable to
become so at any moment. Next,
observe the knees and ankles of the
horse you desire to purchase, and if
caulked you may be sure it is the re-
suit of the displacement of the inter-
nal organs of the foot, consequence
of the form of the foot and injudi-
cious shoeing.
5. Examine for interfering from
the ankle to the knee, and if it proves
that he cuts the knee, or the leg be-
tween the knee and ankle, or the lat
ter 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 defect, are by it rendered val
ueless.
6. Carefully examine the hoofs for
cracks, as jockeys have acquired great
skill in concealing cracks in the hoof.
If cracks are observable in any de-
gree, reject. Also, both look and
feel for ringboncs, which are cal
louses on the bones of the pastern
near the foot; if apparent, reject
him.
I. Examine just as carefully and
closely 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 the curb
and both bone and blood spavins.-
The former is bony enlargement of
the posterior and lower portion of the
hock,joint; the second bony excres-
cence on the lower, inner, and rather
interior portion of the hook, and the
latter is a soft enlargement of the
synovial membrane on the inner and
upper portion of the back. They are
either of them sufficient reason for
rejecting.
8. See that the horse stands with
the front feet well under him, and
observe both the heels of the feet
and the shoes to see if he FORCES or
overreaches, and in case he does, and
the toes Of the front feet are low, and
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 over
reaches with his feet in the condition
described he is incurable. If he
props out both front feet, or points
hem alternately, reject.
8. In testing the driving qualities
AXE the reins while on the ground,
nvitesthe owner to get in the vehicle
irst, then drive yourself. Avoid the
display or the use of the whip, and if
lie has not spirit to exhibit his best
speed without, it will then be prop
II to test his amiability and the ex-
ent of his training in the use of the
whip. Thoroughly test his walking
qualities first as that gait is more i'm
oortant in the horse of all work than
great trotting speed. The value of
horse, safe for all purposes without
blinds, is greatly enhanced thereby.
10. Always purchase of the breeder
'fthe horse, ifpracticable; the reasons
ire obvious.-Maryland Farmer.