The intending purchaser should get the horse away from the wall and make a tour of inspection around him, looking carefully at every part and detail, and then using the hand, if necessary, to corroborate or correct what the eye has seen or suspected. It is always best to look at the horse from a little distance before closing in, and making a more careful inspection. Close inspection deals with minute things, and may make one overlook or fail to see bigger and more important things which would appeal to the eye when taking in the entire side of the horse at a look. When a dealer is extra particular to draw attention to one side of the animal, take it for granted that there is something on the other side which is worth looking into. A Little Ill to Distract Attention from a Big One. Often we have seen tricks such as the following practised in the “bull ring” at the stock-yards. A horse having a small spot or speck in its eye which does not implicate the pupil, is sold to “wind and work” (See Auction rule No. 3, page 50). The grooms and ringmen loudly draw the attention of the audience to the condition of the eye, and repeatedly assert that it does not amount to anything. This is done on purpose to distract attention from some far more serious defect that otherwise would be noticed by the prospective buyer. Dr. Hawley says of this scheme, “The horse is kept constantly in motion with the whip. The auctioneer and salesman are always looking for an angel to drop in, and one usually does. The horse is ordinarily sold to the angel on his first bid.” Beware of Hoof Dressing. When the hoofs of a sale horse are seen to be newly daubed with black hoof dressing, polish, or varnish, look out! or rather, look in! for there may be vital need of the artificial coating to hide serious defects. The dressing, if wet, will soil the examiner’s hands, hence he will be less likely to handle the feet and therefore fails to discover that a quarter crack or sand crack has been concealed, or the fact that the hoof has been rasped extensively for the removal of the rings and ridges that if exposed to the notice of the prospective buyer, would tell a plain story of chronic founder. The sound, healthy, waxy appearing hoof needs no coloring or dressing material, and when such things are freely used they are often applied to hide the marks of the rasp. Buying a Pair.