Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-02-13
BUYING \ NAG.
Words OF Caution to the UninitIated in
the Matter of Horsehesh

nothing on the face of the earth or
above Or below it will cause you to
change your mind. be careful to OBJ
serve certain rules and be guided by
certain fixed principles hereby laid
down in the Detroit Free Press. 1t
may shock you to be told that there
are are many reasons why you should
try white horse but wait and see.
In the first place, the boy who takes
care Of him has TO put in more work
for his wages and that's rebate for
you. In the next you can see him out
| driving on dark night whereas you
couldn't tell whether a black horse
was in front OF behind you. Thirdly
if you happen to go out to the barn of
night your white horse defines his
position, whereas you are quite liable
to blunder up against the heels OF a
black one and get hurt. II YOU are
| driving around town your white horse
can be seen a mile away, and the am
bulance fire engines brick and ice
wagons can get ready to turn into the
side streets and avoid being run down.
| Lastly, you can wear any colored
| socks or suspenders while driving a
white horse and always combine har-
mony and effect Whenever you see a
man with blue necktie driving sor-
rel PAGER you may be sure that he
knows nothing about the harmony of
dress.
Do not advertise your wants. but
casually mention TO some friend that
if he hears of something extra good
and cheap he might mention il, though
you are in no hurry to buy. 1t will
surprise you to find out how many good
things your friend knows of in the
way of horsefesh, and how anxious he
is to do you kindness. The first
horse will be around to your house in
exactly twenty-five minutes
Don't get the idea that everybody in
town wants to sell.his nag. No more
than one-half Of the horses will be sent
around to you.
The first point to settle Is the price.
You are willing to pay 5000. Every
man with horse is willing to sell for
$3.50 which is, of course, a sacrifice
OF at least $50 on his part 1t is sad
thing to see a man have to knock off
$50 from the actual value OF the best
family horse in the world but you are
not advised 10 shed many tears overit.
In the course of an hour if you ex-
hibit proper firmness and indifference.
you can beat him down to your figure.
You feel that you are robbing him
and that ii is mean action on your
part. but feelings don't count in buying
a horse.
Now, first examine the animals
mouth. If there are any tenpenny
naas between his teeth. or he has a
pis,e OF bootleg laid away alongside
of his cheek for Guild he's hearty
feeder and all right The black spots
on the teeth indicate the horses age.
If there are only three then he is a
S-year-old. If there are sixty, then
he il 60-year-old.
The eyes come next. Be sure that
his sight IS all right and that he won't
take a dancing bear or minstrel pa
rade for a load of new hay coming to
town from Taylor township. The best
way to test horses vision is to stand
of with piece of board and make as
: if you would hit HIM across the nose.
] ne lttL nave Nt4lSlAAEA huAC " w
, with horse, as he is popularity sup
i posed to walk around on them. Look
{ out for quarter cracks. half e. acks, and
. whole cracks. Don't pay as much for
= Quarter crack as whole one, The
y frog OF the foot should be located
! somewhere near the centre in good
q horse.
. Then look Tor ringbones ard spav
: ms. Take the chances that the othel
: fellow doesn't know any more thar
: you do about it. and look around tn,
legs instead Of the head and neck. i
). will be best to find some, or something
4 to make him believe that you are no
a greenhorn. Then a.ll the following
q questions
: Has he ever been sick?'
i No"
!. ,'Does he crib?"
q No"
! Does he kick?'
Il Never"
4 Does he ever run away
: You couldn't scare him into such
thing.
# .Will he standm
AZ Like 4 rock.
n Afraid of anything"
= Nothing on earth.
n "What's his best record2"
~ "2:2l."
~ Can my wife drive him?"
Il Right up to the elephant If sh
"a wants to-"
IN How is he on shoes?"
:. Say. was going to speak to 80
N about that. He only needs shoein
l. twice year. Never saw horse 5
Is easy on shoes
Looks like a heavy feeder"
but he isn't Six quarts of oat
and a pinch Of hay viii keep him rol
!, ing fat. !"
: Then you guarantee him a
around2n