COCK'S WALK
—is the place to which a game chick is removed, from the place where he was bred, (and where he walked under his sire,) to the spot where he is to remain till taken up to fight; this is called his walk, of which he is the master, not walking under any other cock. They are commonly sent out to walk at six or seven months old, previous to which they have their combs and gills taken off, and are marked in the eyes, norrils, and feet. At this age they are called chickens; when turned of a year old, they are termed stags; and at two years old, COCKS.
COFFIN-BONE
.—This bone is situate at the lower extremity of the foot, deposited in the membranous mass with which the box (or coffin) of the hoof is lined, and is in nearly the shape of the hoof itself: in the centre of the coffin-bone is a concavity, into which is inserted the inferior part of the coronary bone, supported by the nut bone behind: upon the superior part of the coronary bone (that is just above the line said to be "between hair and hoof") is lodged the lower part of the fetlock bone, its upper part articulating with the fetlock joint. Injuries are very frequently sustained by holes in the road, or cavities in the pavement, into which a part, or the whole, of the foot getting, ligamentary twists or distortions happen to the lower joints. Too much pains cannot be taken in accurately ascertaining the exact seat of lameness, particularly in these parts, as a great number of horses are annually blistered and fired by much too hastily, and upon parts where no lameness has ever been.
COFFIN-JOINT
,—the joint situate below the fetlock, and just above the union of hair and hoof; this is the part universally known by the term coffin-joint; but, in fact, it is not in reality so; for this being formed by the upper part of the coronet with the lower part of the fetlock-bone, leaves the whole coronary bone between the spot described and the coffin-bone. The coffin-joint is buried in the body of the hoof, and is formed by the convex junction of the coronary bone with the concave part of the coffin-bone, as explained in the article preceding.
COLD
.—A COLD is evidently occasioned by some sudden transition from heat to cold, a long exposure to chilling rains, or a confined current of external air, through some partial or particular channel: it may be defined a species of disease derived from some one peculiar cause, to which there may be many probable points of termination, according to the constitution, or pre-disposition of the subject at the time of attack.
Cold is much more likely to be acquired in a horse by neglect or indiscretion, than by the effect of chance: it is certainly prevented with more ease than it can be cured; and those who ride or drive their own horses, have this in constant recollection; those who ride or drive the horses of others, have seldom any such recollection at all. Horses are hardly ever known to get colds under the eye of the MASTER, but unluckily he cannot be employed in the eternal superintendance of a servant, nor can he carry the horse in his pocket. Colds unattended to upon the first attack, not unfrequently degenerate to something worse, displaying its progressive virulence upon the eyes, the lungs, or in glandular tumefactions. Colds (in general thought very little of) cannot have their probable tendencies too soon counteracted, particularly when it is remembered, that if the blood is previously in a state of sizey viscidity, an inflammation of the lungs may very speedily follow, and carry off the patient in two or three days, in opposition to every medical endeavour that can be made to prevent it.
A COUGH is generally one of the first and most distinguished symptoms of cold; for the collapsion of the porous system having thrown the perspirative matter upon the blood, its circulation through the finer vessels of the lungs becomes proportionally retarded, and constitutes the obstruction and consequent irritation (or tickling) which almost incessantly excites the cough; to relieve which, all writers agree, that bleeding is the first step to be taken: this to be followed by cordial balls, malt mashes, thin gruel, &c. &c. the particulars of which may be found fully explained in the "Gentleman's Stable Directory," or "Compendium of Farriery," by the present Author.
COLOUR
.—Strange notions have formerly prevailed, and much hypothetical writing and reasoning have been equally produced, to collect sufficient criterions to decide upon, for a proof that the strength and constitutional stamen of the horse depended as much or more upon his colour than his formation. Sound judgment, and rational reflection, would, however, induce a well-founded reason to believe, there is more of fancy or fallacy in such suggestion; and that the old maxim still stands upon firm ground, "a GOOD horse can't be of a bad colour."
The bright and the dark bay, the jet black, the chesnuts, the browns, and the dappled greys, are each proportionally beautiful when in fine condition; and are held preferable in pecuniary estimation to the sorrel, the dun, the roan, the flea-bitten, the strawberry, and the nutmeg or iron-grey. There is a prevalent idea amongst people of a certain class, that many of the latter description are very much inferior in spirited exertion, less calculated for hard work, not such good feeders under fatigue, that they feel the effect of age sooner, that their powers do not continue so long unimpaired, that they are more susceptible of disease, and, lastly, that they are shorter lived, than those called the hardy colours, first mentioned. That there will always be a variety of opinions in mere matter of conjecture cannot be denied, any more than that the framers and supporters of those opinions will magnify mole hills to mountains in defence of their own sagacity; notwithstanding which, it must be admitted, that variety of inferences might be drawn to justify a conclusion, that many of those observations may have the basis of truth for their foundation, if this was the place proper for such elucidation.
Whatever may be the colour of the horse, it is a practice with old sportsmen, and good judges, to reject white heels, and white hoofs, if they can be avoided: experience has proved, beyond all fear of contradiction, that white heels are more tender, and white hoofs more subject to defects, and susceptible of injury, in thrushes, corns, and sand-cracks, than any other; and none more so, than light chesnuts with blazes and white heels: the hoofs are frequently shelly, brittle, narrow at the heel, diseased in the frog, and contracted in the feet. Prudence should prompt every man (in a new purchase) to pay some respect to the lower as well as the upper story; it being evidently more advantageous to reflect in time, than to repent at leisure.
COLLEGE VETERINARY
,—an equestrian establishment for the improvement of farriery: it is situate about a mile north-east of Tottenham-Court Road, at Camden Town, in the parish of St. Pancras, and will be explained more at large under the head, Veterinary College.
COLT
,—in the general sense, and immediate acceptation of the term, implies a produce from Horse and Mare, without adverting for the moment to either the masculine or the feminine gender; but in a more contracted point of view, (as well as in just and sporting-like phraseology,) it is meant to convey an unequivocal idea, that the produce being A COLT, is really so, that is a horse colt,) in contra-distinction to the opposite gender, invariably called a filly. The bone and growth of a colt depends greatly upon two circumstances: the first, his being foaled late or early; that is, early in April, or late in June; as well as the difference of his being weaned in November or March. Although it is admitted that colts (in the first year termed foals) running with the dam during the winter, will afford greater probability of size, bone, and strength, yet it is not at all times it can be complied with, unless in studs, where brood mares are kept for that purpose only, and are left fallow (uncovered) for the season. When a mare has been covered with a foal at her foot, and is evidently in foal again, it should be an invariable rule to wean the foal in October or November, upon the palpable impossibility of giving suck to the one, without an impoverishment of the other. Whether the colt is, or is not, weaned in either of those months, he should be well kept, and have daily supplies of corn and hay, as well as proper stable, shed, or shelter from the inclemency of the winter season. Upon the liberal keep of the two first winters, his size, growth, strength, and bone, entirely depend, and must be particularly attended to, lest repentance come too late; for it must be held in remembrance, that if a colt is small at two years old, from having been stinted in keep, there is not one in a hundred ever attains to good size, by any additional exertions or expence, after the natural efforts for expansion have been so long retarded.
As COLTS of any description (except for THE TURF) are seldom taken in hand, at least offered for sale, or brought into work, till they are three years old, it is totally unnecessary to go into a minute description of their AGE by the TEETH previous to that period. Suffice it, therefore, to observe, the twelve teeth in the front of the mouth are, from their original appearance, called COLT'S TEETH, and so continue to be, till dispossessed, and followed by others which we proceed to describe: and that a matter of such necessary information may (with very little attention) be perfectly understood, an accurately engraved Plate is annexed, with such explanatory matter, as will bring the subject home to the plainest comprehension.
To face Page 153, Vol. 1ˢᵗ AGE by the TEETH.
Fig. 1. Rising Three.
Fig. 2. Four Years old.
Fig. 3. Rising Six.
Fig. 4. Aged.
Colts' teeth are, in whiteness and appearance, not inferior to polished ivory; are individually smooth upon the surface, or seat of mastication, and so continue till some time between two and a half and three years old; when, a few weeks sooner or later, (depending entirely upon their having been late or early foals,) but within the space of time specified, he sheds the two middle teeth of the SIX in the under jaw: these are pushed forward, and succeeded by two of a stronger formation, deeper in color, fluted, as it were, or having small grooves from top to bottom, with a natural black cavity in the centre, as represented in figure the first of the Plate, when the colt will be found rising THREE YEARS OLD.
Some time in the last half of the fourth year, the same process takes place with the teeth on each side the two in the centre, (already described to have undergone the change;) so that at four years old we find a repetition of (or addition to) the first two, at which particular period he becomes possessed of FOUR horse teeth in the middle, and one colt's tooth only on each side, as will be observed in the second figure of the Plate, where is represented the mouth of a colt when FOUR YEARS OLD off, which he should be properly called till the fall of the leaf; after that time it is the custom to say, he is RISING FIVE.
At this time, that is, some time in the autumn, as September, October, or November, (depending a little upon his having been a late or early foal,) he sheds the two remaining outside or corner teeth, the successors to which continuing to push out till the May or June following, when he is full in the mouth, FIVE YEARS OLD, and then called a horse.
During the course of this year, the single teeth, called TUSKS, seated beyond the corner teeth upon the bars, appear; and proper attention to the infantine or advanced state of this projection, will evidently demonstrate the fifth year of age; notwithstanding any trifling variation, or singular exception, to the law of Nature already laid down; as may be accurately collected from an attentive inspection of the third figure in the Plate, where the subject is to be considered FIVE YEARS OLD, off, and through the whole of the year is termed "rising six;" the year not terminating till the first of May, from which every horse takes his age; and it is customary to say he is coming six, or will be six years old next grass.
In the space of the last six months of the sixth year, the cavity of the two middle teeth of the SIX (already described to have succeeded the two in the first change at three years old) gradually fill up, and when turned of SIX YEARS OLD, retain a faint remains of the original black mark, but is nearly or quite smooth upon the surface.
In the last half of the SEVENTH YEAR, when the horse is termed "six off," (or rising seven,) the teeth on each side the two centrical, last described, become gradationally possessed of the same appearance; and when SEVEN YEARS are fully attained, the two outside or corner teeth only bear any mark of the original cavity. At this period the HORSE is said to be aged; and from this time to the completion of his eighth year, the faint mark in the corner teeth continues gradually to disappear (varying a little in different subjects) till quite obliterated, when the AGE by the TEETH is no longer a matter to be relied on, but becomes totally dependent upon the immaculate declaration of the DEALER, or the ipse dixit of the BREEDER, if that can be bona fide obtained. This description will be found accurately delineated in the fourth figure of the Plate.
As the curious, but very common, operation of Bishoping has been properly explained under that head, so another deception, in full practice by the fraternity of horse-dealers, must not be forgotten; they consider it a LAW of PRIVILEGE, and never omit an opportunity of gratifying their professional sensations. By referring to figure the second of the Plate, (where the teeth represent the state of the mouth at four years old off,) may be seen the four centrical teeth with the black cavities, and the two COLT'S TEETH at the corners, without any mark at all. In this state they are frequently purchased of the simple harmless BREEDER in the country; but they are very seldom a few hours in the possession of a DEALER, before the fertility of his imagination is at work to rectify the deficiencies, and to anticipate the very intent and effort of Nature.
The two corner COLT'S TEETH just described, are immediately wrenched from their sockets, with even a common door key, or the first iron instrument that can be found applicable for the purpose; and this is done as a substitute for the impending exfoliation, by way of giving earlier opportunity for the appearance and growth of their successors, that the HORSE may be shown out as, and affirmed to be, a FIVE YEARS OLD, when, in fact, he is positively no more than four. This is an imposition very little better than a ROBBERY, and principally practised upon the young and inexperienced, (the DEALER'S best friends,) but seldom attempted to be played off with the OLD SPORTSMAN, whose very mode of making his examination, speedily displays a proof of his qualifications, and generally shields him from any very palpable species of depredation.
When a HORSE is considerably advanced in years, but still full in the frame, and fresh upon his legs, it is a general rule, even with the best and most experienced judges, to form an opinion tolerably accurate by the length of his TEETH; but this can by no means be considered infallible; as some horses carry a mouth so much better than others of a less age, that it can constitute no certain criterion of decision.
CONDITION
—is a word in frequent use with the sporting world, to express the state of a horse in respect to his health and external appearance. If low in flesh, rough in his coat, hollow above the eye, and depressed in his spirits, he is then said to be "very much out of condition." But, on the contrary, if full of good sound flesh, his skin loose and pliable, with his coat soft and sleek, he is then said to be in "perfect condition to start," if for the TURF; fine condition to take the field, if a HUNTER; or, if a roadster, to be in good condition to undertake his journey. Horses too full of flesh or of blood, are said not to be in condition, because they are not fit for strong exertions without the danger of disease: brought into constant work in such state, they soon, as it is termed, "fall all to pieces;" that is, if they escape inflammation upon some of the various parts, morbidity soon displays itself, either in a swelling of the legs, cracked heels, bad eyes, defective wind, cutaneous eruptions, tumours, or in one of the many ills to which horses in this state will always be subject.
Experience has so fully confirmed this fact, and custom has so firmly established the great prudence of prevention, that much disgrace and mortification is incurred by both MASTER and groom, who are so unfortunate as to have horses out of condition; and this is so perfectly understood in the present state of equestrian emulation, that the necessity for occasionally cleansing the frame by BLEEDING, PURGING, DIURETICS, or a course of ALTERATIVES, is not only almost universally acknowledged, but generally practised by every judicious and well informed SPORTSMAN in the kingdom.
CONSTIPATION
—implies that state of the bowels, when, for want of the necessary secretion of mucus, their excrementitious contents acquire a degree of solidity bordering upon induration; the dung becomes too hard and adhesive, fœtid in effluvia, and dark or nearly black in appearance. A horse in such state should not be long neglected; inflammatory cholic and consequent danger may ensue; or an indurated mass may be formed in the intestinal canal, which no medicine may have the power to move in time to prevent mortification. Too nice attention cannot be paid to a horse's regular evacuations: if the body is evidently foul, he should be proportionally physicked. Circumstances not rendering that perfectly convenient, opening mashes might be adopted, and continued nightly (or oftner) till the constipation is removed.
CONSUMPTION
.—A consumption is a disorder to which horses are very much subject, particularly the carriage horses of the great and opulent: these fall victims to the unmerciful ambition of nocturnal grandeur, in the four, five and six hours street-waiting in the most dreary nights of the most dreary winter. Consumptions originate in colds, which being ill managed or neglected, constitute an increasing viscidity of the blood; this preternatural consistence renders it more languid in its circulation; and it is, of course, proportionally impeded in its progress through the finer vessels of the lungs. Here then obstructions are first formed; as these increase, the passages become impervious; the tubercles continue to enlarge, till the vessels are partially distended to their utmost extent, when inflammation takes place, and maturation follows. This stage completed, the tumours rupture; some probably heal by the efforts of nature, and others become corroding ulcers, laying the foundation of inevitable danger, and distant death. To a penetrative eye, and distinguishing hand, the predominant symptoms will be immediately found to exceed the traits and appearances of a common cold: the unequal and difficult respiration; the kind of half-suppressed, sore, hollow cough, (denoting an internal sensation of pain,) terminating in a sort of resigned moan; a constant desire to masticate hay, without any seeming enjoyment of it; a general heavy dulness, the palpable effect of conscious decay or debility; and a frequent looking to and after the person accustomed to superintend him, exciting reason to believe he may expect or hope for relief from the very hand from whence it has been usual to derive support.
When brought into motion, the flanks heave, and the cough comes on in proportion to the increase of action and circulation: the pain thus produced soon excites profuse perspiration: by the efforts of snorting, sneezing, and blowing, to relieve himself from the load under which he labours, the discharge from the nostrils is increased, and gets deeper in colour, according to the duration and inveteracy of disease. Different subjects are very differently affected by the gradations of this disorder, (to which but a faint expectation of relief can be at all formed;) as one horse will continue to appear constantly declining, and to waste away perceptibly, every symptom becoming more predominant and distressing, till the scene is finally closed; while another shall alter but very little in flesh, coat, or external appearance, till within a few days of his falling dead in his stall.
CONVULSIONS
—are a spasmodic affection of the muscular parts of the body, occasioned by extreme pain acting upon the irritability of the nervous system; and generally proceed from cholic, inflammation of the kidnies, strangury, worms preying upon the internal coat of the stomach, a fullness of the vessels, and too great a flux of blood to the brain; as well as a variety of causes, many of which are, perhaps, very far beyond the utmost extent of human investigation. Whenever they come on, the scene becomes truly distressing; they may be considered almost invariably certain indications of approaching dissolution, instances being exceedingly rare of a horse's recovery.
COMPRESSION
—is a term meant to convey the idea of an injury sustained in the foot of a horse from a contraction of the hoof, more particularly at the heel, by indiscreet management in the mode of shoeing: first, in forming the shoes too narrow, and giving them an improper internal curve at each heel; the injudiciously cutting away the bars of the foot, (formed by nature for its proper expansion;) the rasping away each side of the heel, to make the foot fit the shoe, already put on too small; all which is still more aggravated, by the equally infernal and equally invincible practice of fitting the shoe red-hot to the foot, in opposition to every argument and entreaty, thereby drying up and consuming the natural moisture of the internal or fleshy sole, at the moment of cauterizing and contracting the surface.
A hoof in the state described, holds forth, in its appearance, ample proof of compression upon the parts constituting the internal structure of the foot; the membranous mass, the nut and coffin-bone, thus pressed upon by the surrounding stricture, occasions a torpidity, and consequent defect in action, by no means dissimilar to the hobbling gait of an infant in pain from the tightness and rigidity of new leather shoes. Horses whose feet are thus destructively reduced, are generally those to whom neither MASTER or MAN ever condescends to look: if proper injunctions were laid upon the shoeing smith, at each time of performing the operation, such a scene of devastation could never ensue. When the feet, by such mismanagement, have got into this state, every possible application should be made to promote growth and expansion. If the horse stands constantly in the stable, fresh stopping of moist cow-dung every night, with a plentiful impregnation of spermacæti oil, all round the hoof, every night and morning, are the most expeditious remedies for the defect; but if it can be adopted with convenience, turning out two or three months upon a moist marshy piece of land will prove superior to every other consideration.
COOLERS
—are such medicines as, by their attenuating property, tend to divest the blood of its viscidity, and to counteract threatened inflammation. They are always useful in plethoric appearances: when a horse is evidently overloaded, and above himself in flesh, when the legs are full, round, and all the vessels are palpably distended, cooling medicines, and gentle exercise, are the direct means of obtaining relief. Bleeding should take the lead, followed by a course of diuretics, mild or strong, according to the size and strength of the subject. Nitre, incorporated with half its weight of gum Arabic in powder, and dissolved in the water, is an excellent article of this description.
CORNS
,—as they are called, would be much more properly denominated bruises, and are of infinite trouble to those who implicitly submit to the Quixotic schemes and manual dexterity of the SMITH; who, with a secundum artem expedition, instantly renders the remedy worse than the disease. As his principal province is the art of cutting, he has no sooner the drawing-knife in his hand, than he is at "the bottom:" his great object is the destruction of parts; and he piques himself upon doing more mischief in two minutes, than Nature can restore in three months. Impressed with no idea but instrumental extirpation, he proceeds to excavate the sole of the foot, till, having reached the membrane, a protrusion ensues, and leaves him a happy opening for the bar-shoe, hot-stopping, a daily dressing, and the collateral considerations which constitute a sum total by no means necessary.
Corns mostly originate in the shoe having swerved a little from its proper seat upon the wall or crust of the hoof, and becoming, as it were, indented upon the outer sole, occasions a bruise, appearing to have ramifications of extravasated fluid in very fine and oblique directions: the shoe being permitted to press upon this part, (become irritable by the injury it has sustained,) produces pain and impediment to action. Upon the discovery that such has taken place, the remedy is as simple as the cause by which it was occasioned. The shoe being carefully removed, take from the surface of what is miscalled a corn, just enough to leave the part free from pressure by the shoe; moisten once externally with a few drops of oil of vitriol, or simple aqua fortis; and the operative smith, farrier, or veterinary surgeon, will not find a plea for the devastation he is generally so ready to promote.
CORDIALS
,—medically considered, are the very reverse, in their property, of what has been said under the subject of "coolers:" they are warm aromatic articles, which stimulate to action the internal coat of the stomach, enliven the circulation, invigorate the frame, expel wind, strengthen the digestive powers; and are, perhaps, without exception, the best and most useful discovery yet made for the prevention and cure of colds in horses, as well as of some other disorders arising from an impoverished state of the blood. Horses subject to incessant fatigue in all weathers, particularly in the wet and dirty months of winter, should never be without the occasional interposition of a warm malt mash, or a CORDIAL BALL, after long journies or severe chases, whenever circumstances may render either or both necessary; the first being given at night, the latter in the morning. After a previous bleeding, these means may be considered infallible in a cold and cough, and never known to fail, if properly persevered in and attended to. The cordial balls are also exceedingly useful, where a horse is off his appetite, either from being overworked, or from the very common and very injudicious custom with weak servants, or penurious masters, of administering large quantities of nitre, (as a cheap and efficacious medicine,) till the blood is attenuated and impoverished below the standard of health, the solids reduced to a state of flaccidity, the stomach nauseated, and the digestive powers proportionally impaired.
CORIANDER
,—the name of A HORSE who acquired much celebrity by his performances upon the TURF for six years in succession. He was bred by Mr Dawson, and was got by Pot8oo's out of Lavender, who was got by Herod; her dam by Snap, out of Sweet William's dam by Cade. He was foaled in 1786. In 1789, when three years old, he beat Jericho, from the ditch-in, for 200 guineas, and Sir W. Aston's Marcia, two year old course, 100 guineas. First Spring meeting, 1790, he beat Buzzard, seven stone each, 100 guineas. Second spring meeting he beat him again for the same sum. He beat Egbert and Isabel, a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each; and Shovel, Glaucus, Alexander, and Sir Thomas, a sweepstakes of 50 guineas each; Baronet, Nimble, Egbert, and Sir Pepper, paying forfeit. He walked over for the King's hundred at Ipswich; and beat Lord Barrymore's Pellegrine the two middle miles of the Beacon for 200 guineas.
In 1791 he won a subscription purse, beating Spear, Isabel, Ruffian, Black Deuce, and Mouse. He also won the plate at Swaffham, beating Isabel and the Sister to Imperator; and the next day won the other plate, beating Clayhall. At Newmarket, in October, he beat Highlander, Serpent, Halkin, and Espersykes; after which, from the ditch-in, he beat Escape, Skylark, and Pipator.
When rising six years old, he received forfeit from Sir C. Turner's Weathercock, and won the King's plate at Guildford, beating Enchanter and Braggadocio; also the King's plate at Nottingham, beating Young Cicero.
In 1793 he won the aged plate at Newmarket, beating Dragon, Halbert, and Halkin. He won the King's plate also, beating the Duke of Bedford's Skyscraper. Second spring meeting, he won the Jocky Club plate, beating Skyscraper, Bustler, Cardock, and Pipator; and on the same day won the weight for the aged plate, beating Huby, Volanté, and Eager. In the same meeting he beat Buzzard the Beacon Course for 200 guineas.
In 1794, when aged, he won THE WHIP and 200 guineas, beating Creeper, ten stone each, over the Beacon. He won 50l. at Chelmsford, beating Sweeper, and Portland; likewise 50l. at Northampton, beating Triumvirate, and a son of Faggergill. At Newmarket, in October, he won the aged plate, beating Quetlavaca, Exciseman, and Halkin; and in the same week he beat Lord Egremont's Gohanna (giving him 24lb.) and Lord Strathmore's Hermes. In the second October meeting, being the last time of his running, he won a subscription purse, (paying 50 guineas entrance,) beating Lord Grosvenor's Exciseman, and Lord Sackville's Silver. This extraordinary horse was one of the very few who stood so many years training, and so much severe running, without an accident. He covered afterwards in the north, at seven guineas, and has produced some good runners.
CORNER TEETH
—are the four teeth at the extremities of each row in both the upper and the lower jaw, situate between the middle teeth and the tushes: the corner teeth in the lower jaw, are those which the horse sheds when four years old off, and rising five: these not spontaneously exfoliating in time to accommodate the pecuniary propensity of the dealer, he possesses the means and the practice of selling a four year old colt for a FIVE year old horse; and this is so constant, that there is with that class nothing dishonest considered in the custom.
CORONET
—is the part surrounding the foot of the horse just above the junction of hair and hoof: the bone from which the name is derived, bears great affinity in form to a ducal coronet, and is situate between the lower part of the fetlock-bone and the coffin, into which it is inserted, jointly supported by the nut-bone behind. Ligamentary twists, or distortions, sustained at the superior junction of the coronary bone, frequently occasion a prominence upon the coronet, which becoming first callous, and then ossified, is termed A RINGBONE.
COVEY of Partridges
—consists of the cock, hen, and their produce of that year before they are broken, and so continue to be termed till killed down too thin to bear the appellation: they are then distinguished by the small numbers they are found in; as, a leash, (three;) two brace, (four;) &c.
COURSE of Medicine
,—so called where the case is chronic, requiring a rectification in the animal œconomy, or an alteration in the property of the blood. Chronic cases are disorders of some continuance, (producing symptoms of disquietude more than of danger,) and are thus called to distinguish them from those which, proceeding rapidly, terminate sooner, and with more alarm. Cholic, STRANGURY, FEVER, &c. in horses, are acute diseases: on the contrary, grease, surfeit, and some others, may with propriety be termed CHRONIC, and can only be completely eradicated by such course of medicine as shall be considered applicable to the state of the frame, and the origin of the disease.
COURSING
—is a species of sport that a celebrated writer has traced to great antiquity; "it having been treated on by Arrian, who flourished A. D. 150." The same author, the Rev. Mr. Daniel, in his elegant and truly entertaining publication upon "Rural Sports," says,
"In our country, during the reign of King John, greyhounds were frequently received by him as payment in lieu of money, for the renewal of grants, fines, and forfeitures, belonging to the Crown. The following extracts prove this Monarch to have been exceedingly partial to this kind of dogs. A fine paid A. D. 1203, mentions five hundred marks, ten horses, and ten leashes of greyhounds. Another, in 1210, one swift running horse, and six greyhounds."
"In the days of Elizabeth, when she was not disposed herself to hunt, she was so stationed as to see the coursing of deer with greyhounds. At Cowdrey, in Sussex, the seat of Lord Montecute, (now Lady Montague's,) A. D. 1591, one day after dinner, the Queen saw from a turret sixteen bucks, all having fair law, pulled down with greyhounds in a lawn before the house."
Coursing was formerly extended to the DEER, the FOX, and the HARE; and much ceremony was observed in park and paddock coursing with the former, even in the Royal presence. It is, however, now principally confined to the hare, (except in the season for fawn killing;) is not only universal in most counties, but particularly patronized and promoted in others. Clubs are composed of the most opulent and respectable members for the enjoyment of the sport, who have mostly two (some three) meetings in each season; the first established and principal of which is the "Swaffham Coursing Society," instituted in Norfolk by the late Earl of Orford in the year 1776, which is supported with true personal spirit and sporting energy; the Bradwell and Tillingham meetings, in Essex; the Flixton Wolds, in Yorkshire; and the Ashdown Park meeting, at Lambourn, in Berkshire.
The meetings at Swaffham are held on the second Monday in November, and the first Monday in February, unless prevented by frost or snow, in which case they are then held the first open Monday in or after November, and the first open Monday in February; and not later. The Ashdown Park meeting to be held at the Red Lion at Lambourn, annually, the second Monday in November.
The LAWS of COURSING were arranged in the reign of Queen Elizabeth by the Duke of Norfolk, and were sanctioned by the acquiescence of the nobility, gentry, and sporting world, who then followed the diversion; and have since been considered the fixed criterion for the decision of all bets, by which they are regulated and determined to the present day. The person appointed to let loose the greyhounds, was to receive into his slips (or thongs) those matched to run against each other so soon as he came into the field; and then to follow next the hare-finder, or him who was to start the hare, until he came to the form; and no horse or foot men were to go before, or on either side, but directly behind, for the space of about forty yards.
Rules.
—A hare never to be coursed by more than A BRACE of greyhounds.
The hare-finder to give the hare three soho's! before he put her from her form; to give notice to the dogs, that they may attend to starting.
The hare to have twelve score yards law before the dogs were loosed, unless the small distance from cover would not admit it without danger of immediately losing her.
The dog who gave the first turn, if there was neither cote, slip, nor wrench, during the course, WON.
A cote is when a greyhound goes endways by his fellow, and gives the hare a turn.
A cote serves for two turns, and two trippings or jerkins for a cote: if the hare did not turn quite about, she only wrenched, and two wrenches stand for a turn.
If there were no cotes given between a brace of greyhounds, but that one of them served the other at turning, then he that gave the hare most turns, won; and if one gave as many turns as the other, then he that bore the hare, won.
If one dog gave the first turn, and the other bore the hare, he that bore the hare, won.
A go-by, or bearing the hare, was equivalent to two turns.
If neither dog turned the hare, he that led last to the covert, won.
If one dog turned the hare, served himself, and turned her again, it was as much as a cote; for a cote was esteemed two turns.
If all the course was equal, the dog that bore the hare, won; if the hare was not borne, the course was adjudged dead.
If a dog fell in a course, and yet performed his part, he might challenge the advantage of a turn more than he gave.
If a dog turned the hare, served himself, and gave divers cotes, and yet in the end stood still in the field, the other dog, if he ran home to the cover, although he gave no turn, was adjudged the winner.
If by accident a dog was rode over in his course, the course was void; and he that did the mischief was to make reparation for the damage.
If a dog gave the first and last turn, and there was no other advantage between them, he that gave the odd turn, won.
He that came in first at the death, took up the hare, saved her from being torn, cherished the dogs, and cleansed their mouths from the fleak, was adjudged to have the hare for his trouble.
Those who were appointed judges of the course, were to give their decision before they departed from the field.
Exclusive of the county clubs and local societies established for the annual enjoyment of the diversion upon a larger scale, COURSING has its devotees, who are as energetic in its defence, as its most enraptured advocate can possibly be, for what he calls the inexpressible pleasures of the chase: taken, however, in a more extensive point of view, it is held in nearly an equal estimation with angling, when put in competition with the more attracting sports of the field; and seems much better calculated for the amusement of a cynical solitary disciplinarian, than a mind open to all the more noble and exhilarating sensations of the CHASE.
COSTIVENESS
—will be sound satisfactorily explained under the head Constipation; to prevent which, regular exercise, great friction, flank rubbing, and frequent changes of food, will greatly contribute.
CRACKS
—in the heels of horses, during the winter season, are found only in stables where the master seldom or ever condescends to appear. These trifles are too frequently attributed to a defect in the constitution of the horse, when, with more propriety, they might be fixed upon a want of constitutional punctuality in the groom. Horses left with wet legs and heels after chase or journey, particularly in sharp easterly winds, or in frost and snow, constitute the evil to a certainty. So severe a rigidity is occasioned in the texture of the integument, that it becomes partially ruptured, (or broken in various places,) upon being brought into action the following day: this, with the irritation and friction occasioned by the sharp particles of gravel and extraneous matter in the dirty roads, soon produce enlarged lacerations of the most painful description. The prudent part of the world will always consider, as well in this, as in every other case, that prevention is better than cure: servants should be allowed in the stables, linen cloths for rubbers to the heels, that they may never be left in the least wet, particularly in the winter season, when once getting tender, the stubbed ends of the new and stiff straw frequently occasion or increase such lacerations.