Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1909 — POINTS ON HORBE BREEDING. [ARTICLE]

POINTS ON HORBE BREEDING.

Some Things Which the Purchaser Should Look Per. Never have a horse brought out, or up or down, to you, but go to his stall and, investigate for yourself certain details, which, once you know them, require no special acumen to decide upon, or to be aware of. writes F. -M. Ware in the Outing magazine. For instance, is there grain in the manger, and the ITour for feeding some time past? He may be a bad feeder, nervous, delicate^—well to cSll the veterinarian’s attention to' this pointv Is the straw under his fore feet unusually trampled or broken? May be one of these Irritable, nervpus “weavers” (horses which constantly sway from side to side) who are generally also bad feeders and poor property. Are the stall posts or sides battered or kicked? He may be a kicker (by day or night, spoiling his own rest and that of other horses.) Does he tear or eat his blankets? Is he tied in any special way or simply and as other horses re? Is he gentle to approach and to handle —no nipping, kicking or pulling back on the halter? Does be stand square on both fore feet or rest one or both alternately? , Does he back quietly from the stall, picking up each hind leg without sudden spasmodic jerking? And when he turns in the gangway does lie do so smoothly, or does he flinch (in front) as if the boards were not : even, or his feet hjirt him more or less? Are his eyes staring and expressionless, his ears always forward?—indications of defective vision. Once out of the stall, notice that he submits quietly to being wiped over, and betrays no resentment, while harnessing, at accepting the bit, bridle, crupper, etc., and decorously permitting all necessary alterations and attentions. Accept no departure from absolute docility of deportment; for be sure that if the animal betrays either excitability, nervousness or vice In the dealer’s hands, he will he far worse with you, for you know you don’t know, and he will know you don’t know—and those combinations spell trouble. In the same way, see that he is led out and put to the vehicle to which he Is to be driven, noting each stage of the process, viewing him always with the icily critical eye of the individual who does not (yet) own him. Excuse nothing and make no allowances for less. If he makes a move you don’t fancy say so frankly and look further—there are plenty of horses.