The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-12
Buying a Horse.

Thousands of pages of advice have
been printed in the English language
alone, to teach men how to Judge a
horse in an interview OF half an hour.
Probably other languages are equally
rich in similar information. Every
veterinary work contains elaborate ad
vice, illustrated with coarse wood cuts,
to instruct unaccustomed men TO de-
eide upon the animals age by the ap-
pearance of the teeth. The growth
and wear of the teeth after horse has
passed his sixth year, is a most falla.
cious guide, and the practiced horse
man and skillful veterinarian will look
rather to the general appearance of the
horse ard his expression, rather than to
the wear of the teeth.
The shape of the lower jaw, the
hang of the lips, the appearance of the
eye and the surrounding conformation,
the elasticity of the skin of the jowl
and other indications govern the judg-
ment of the expert. In our methods
of horse keeping, over feeding irreg
ular work, unventilated stables and the
wreck of the feet and injury to the
legs caused by shoeing, work physical
changes that make our horses prema-
turely old. Most people call horse
old at ~ years, but in fact that time in
his life should be his early prime, cor
responding to the age of 80 years in a
man or woman. A horse that has had
hard life shows the lines of care and
age Just as they appear in man, who
has, in youth, drawn drafts upon the
powers of manhood. A horse that Is
vigorous and healthy at Is or 20 years,
and that has not had MS feet ruined
may fairly be counted on for 6 or s
years of usefulness. But in buying
him, trust him as You would a man,
only from thorough knowledge of his
character. Do not take any man S
word about his horse. The only safe
way is to try him both in the stable
and at work. Never judge of him in
harness, always see him moved about
in his natural action by the halter il
he has "bar-shoes" on, they have been
put there to relieve pressure upon
corns; or if the bar is across the mid.
die of the hoof, he is a victim to the
incurable malady of "drop-sole' If
leather is used under the shoe he has a
foot that is shaken by conclusion
Never buy horse without trying hin
at backing, you may find weakness
or trick in that way.
Handsome, healthy-looking, f n
horses are sold low At city auctions to
the amazement of the purchaser, who
soon finds that hs bargain has kicked
buggy into kin liz G wood-or is the
subj 'ct Of fits ,ht' odanger the life oI
the driver. Otber .trangers are found
too late, to have incorrigible stable
tricks that make them disagreeable tc
keep. The list of equine vices anc
weaknesses, meotal aud physical, is {
long one; in that respect horses dis
pute preeminence with their masters
Therefore the only safe way is to be
come acquainted with horse by trial
it is worth arg percentage on the
cost to do so. o, buy horse of you
neighborhood that ycu are thoroughly
acquainted with and pay what he i
worth rather than attempt to pick up {
bargain among horse-dealers. Keel
your horses well, without over feeding
give them regular work in the usua
hours do not, when shoeing, stipu
late to have shoes that will last twt
months, and you will not find yoursel
so frequently in The horse market I,
buy or exchange,-Co in Oaer Cou''
try Home.