Page:Horsemanship for Women.djvu/161

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BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE.
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after a saddle-gall has become fairly established. The saddle, of course, should fit the horse well, and there should always be a free space along above the backbone and withers.

The cut on the preceding page shows a saddle-horse of the very best form for a lady's use.

The color of a horse is an important factor in the price, except in the case of animals of extraordinary qualities; and although different persons have their special preferences, yet probably the order of the following list will give the average taste of the horse-buying public:

1. Blood bay with black points; that is, with mane, tail, and legs from the knee downward black.

2. Rich chestnut.

3. Rich brown.

4. Common bay with black points.

5. Common chestnut.

6. Dark dapple gray.

7. Full black.

8. Light bay with brown legs.

9. White.

10. Common gray.

11. Brownish-black.

12. Sorrel.

When your decision is finally made, obtain (from the person selling) a warranty, which had better be written upon the bill itself, giving the height, age, and color of