"Never look a gift horse in the mouth"

[SurreyGuy]

Where does that phrase come from and what exactly does it mean?

T.I.A.

[Loosehead]

One way of telling the health of a horse is to examine it's teeth and gums etc, this is fine if you are buying a horse. If however someone gave you a horse then it would be rude to examine it's mouth, would it not? Essentially it means do not criticise a gift if it's not up to your expectations.

[SurreyGuy]

Aha! :o)

Thanks

[squirelpoo]

something to do with troy, maybe