GREY
.—The COLOUR of a HORSE is so called, where dark-coloured or BLACK hairs are proportionally intermixed with WHITE: some of those are beautifully mottled upon the rump, down the hind quarters, and across the gaskins, and are then called DAPPLED GREYS. It is admitted by the old proverb, and verified by all opinions, that "a GOOD horse can never be of a BAD colour:" there is, however, an exception to the adage, in a white or a light grey; for, by laying down with the hind quarter, on one side or the other, in the dung newly fallen, it is no uncommon thing to have a daily washing, and drying, before a horse of such colour can be taken out of the stable either to WORK or to EXERCISE.
GREYHOUND
.—The particular species of DOG passing under the denomination of greyhound, was formerly called GAZEHOUND, and is at the present day more universally known by the appellation of LONG DOG in many parts of the kingdom. The breed has been at all times carefully cultivated by the lovers of coursing, but has never been brought to so great a degree of enthusiastic perfection, as since the establishment of the different COURSING CLUBS and SOCIETIES in Norfolk, Essex, Berkshire, and the Flixton Wolds of Yorkshire. The members of each have, with an unremitting perseverance, endeavoured to excel each other with an unalloyed spice of SPORTING EMULATION: the late Lord Orford; the Marquis of Townsend; Colonel Thornton, of Thornville Royal; Major Topham, of the Wolds, and the Reverend H. Bate Dudley, of the Bradwell and Tillingham Club, in Essex, are those who have excelled every competitor, and improved the breed to the highest possible state of perfection.
Czarina was bred by the late Lord Orford; Jupiter and Claret, by Colonel Thornton; Snowball, by Major Topham; Miller, by the Reverend H. B. Dudley; and Schoolboy, by the celebrated Mr. (Vauxhall) Clarke. Czarina, the grand-dam of Snowball, was purchased at the late Lord Orford's sale by Colonel Thornton, with an intent to improve the breed, in which he was not disappointed. She won FORTY-SEVEN matches in Norfolk, Wiltshire, and Yorkshire, and never was beat. She displayed no signs of producing progeny till thirteen years old, when she brought forth eight whelps, got by Jupiter, who all lived, and ran in high form.
Snowball was got by Claret, (one of the eight whelps of Czarina,) and supposed to be, taken "for all in all," the surest dog to kill and take up that ever ran. He won FOUR CUPS, COUPLES, and upwards of thirty matches; one of which was so severe, that his opponent (a dog of Mr. Plumer's) died immediately after the course. Claret was got by young Jupiter, out of old Czarina; he challenged all Yorkshire, which was twice accepted; one match he won; and received forfeit for the other.
That truly celebrated dog, the Miller, was so large, awkward, and clumsey, when a puppy, that he had been nearly thrown aside, and not thought worthy of being brought into the field; but a friend of Mr. Dudley's having borrowed him, took him to the Marshes at St. Osyth, where, at only twelve months old, he won several matches in one day against the best dogs in the field. Having thus accidentally ran himself into reputation, he was, at his return, introduced to more powerful, at least more popular, opponents, where, however, he for SEVEN YEARS maintained his superiority, during SEVENTY-FOUR successive MATCHES, without having been beaten. He is at present a stallion in great estimation, as all the stock he has yet produced are excellent runners.
Schoolboy was of great celebrity; he was bred by Sir C. Bunbury, and got by Dr. Frampton's Fop, out of Sir Charles's Miss: he ran a great number of MATCHES for very considerable sums, particularly over Newmarket, and never was beat. Several of his get have been sold for twenty guineas each, as Troy, Traveller, and Lilly; all very good runners.
Mr. Daniel, who, in his "Rural Sports," has given most beautiful and admirably executed portraits of Czarina, Maria, Venus, and Claret, engraved by Scott, has also introduced the following, as a criterion of comparative speed between the race-horse and the greyhound. "A match was to have been run over Doncaster course, in the December of 1800, for one hundred guineas; but one of the horses having been drawn, a mare started alone, to make good the bet, and, after having gone the distance of about a mile, a greyhound bitch started from the side of the course, and ran with her the other three miles, keeping nearly head to head, which produced a singular race; and when they reached the distance post, five to four was betted on the GREYHOUND; when they came to the stand, it was even betting; but the mare won by about a head."
A variety of singular occurrences respecting the invincible ardour and velocity, as well as persevering fortitude, of greyhounds, might be introduced, but a few must suffice. In February, 1800, a brace of GREYHOUNDS coursed a hare upwards of four miles in a straight line from where she was found, (exclusive of turns,) when she ran herself dead before she was touched by the dogs.
A famous dog of the Reverend Mr. Corsellis, who chanced to be wind-bound at Dover, coursed a hare, who had beat a variety of pursuers in that neighbourhood, when the dog proved so superior to her in speed, and pressed her so close, that she ran immediately for the cliff, as her only chance of escaping; but the greyhound threw at, and caught her at the brink, going with her in his mouth to the bottom of the precipice, where they were literally dashed to pieces. In 1797, a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a chalk-pit, at Offham, in Sussex, and both hare and dogs were found dead at the bottom. In December, 1794, a company of gentlemen were coursing at Finchingfield, in Essex, when a hare was started, and a brace of greyhounds starting from two different points, ran against each other with so much violence that they both died on the spot.
The greyhound is always mild and inoffensive, and his fidelity cannot be better described than in the words of the unfortunate Charles I. who said, amidst his courtiers, during his troubles, that "the GREYHOUND had all the good-nature of the SPANIEL, without his fawning."
GRIPES
.—The disorder this term is meant to imply, is more properly distinguished by the appellation of INFLAMMATORY CHOLIC, and is much more painful and dangerous than that species of intestinal complaint known by the name of FLATULENT CHOLIC, or FRET. The inflammatory cholic, or GRIPES, proceeds from a painful obstruction in the intestines, occasioned by an accumulation of indurated excrement, which must be mollified, and removed, before EASE can be obtained. In cases of this kind, no time should be lost, the intestines being preternaturally distended beyond the original intention of Nature, the pain is most excruciating, the state of the animal dreadful; and, unless relief is very speedily procured, INFLAMMATION of the BOWELS immediately comes on, MORTIFICATION follows, and DEATH ensues.
GROGGY
—is a knowing term, peculiar to the lower order of stabularian and horse-dealing gentry, and implies a tenderness and defect in action, either from a CHEST or FOOT FOUNDER, or an injury sustained in the back sinews, as mentioned under the head Gorged. Horses of this description, although they come apparently crippled out of the stable, yet, when the circulation is increased by action, and the stiffness gone off as the perspiration comes on, their exertion is incredible, and their endurance of fatigue beyond conception. These are the kind of horses by which the inferior kind of JOBBERS obtain a livelihood, in supplying the POST-WORK upon the roads, and the HACKNEY COACH-MASTERS of the Metropolis.
GROOM
—is the appellation by which a person is known who is a complete and perfect master of every part of stable discipline; if he is not so, it is a prostitution of the word to admit the term; and in any other point of view, he can rank in no other degree than a common stable-boy. The qualifications necessary to form A GROOM of superior excellence, are almost as numerous and distinguishing as those admitted to be requisite for the formation of a MINISTER of STATE: obedience, fidelity, patience, mildness, diligence, humanity, and honesty, are equally indispensible; without the whole of which, he may be entitled to the denomination of a strapper in a stable-yard; but will never prove worthy to be thought A GROOM.
If a groom is judicious, honest, and industrious, intending DUTY to his MASTER, and justice to himself, he will never be prevailed upon to undertake more than he can perform: the MASTER who wishes it, will always be instrumental to his own deception and disappointment. Those who expect GROOMS to dress hair, as well as their horses; or to leave the latter wet and dirty, or half dressed, in the stable, while they dance attendance at the back of the chair, during the hour of dining, must be content to see their horses in equal condition with those of the DANCING, MUSIC, and DRAWING MASTERS, so frequently seen, in all weathers, standing the disconsolate hour, at different doors, in almost every respectable street of the Metropolis.
The department in which A GROOM is placed, if the stud is valuable, must always be considered an office of very considerable trust; where great confidence is placed on ONE SIDE, and strict integrity should be observed on THE OTHER. It is upon the sobriety, steadiness, and invariable punctuality, of the groom, that the HEALTH, SAFETY, and CONDITION, of every horse depends; and by his incessant attention only can they be insured. Grooms (at least those completely qualified to be termed so) are men who, from the arduous talk they stand engaged in, the variegated nature of their servitude, and the property entrusted to their care, lay claim, and are entitled to, (their sobriety, steadiness, fidelity, and punctuality, once established,) all the equitable pecuniary compensation, and personal kindness, their employers can possibly bestow.
Grooms and coachmen, deprived of free agency by their situation in life, and doomed to eat the bread of DEPENDENCE, exist to act solely upon compulsion; they receive (sometimes the most supercilious) injunctions only to obey, and are not permitted the privilege of either remonstrance or expostulation. Tacitly submissive, they encounter the severity of the elements at all hours, and in all seasons; and what should more influence the reflecting mind in their favor, is, that when the inclemency of the weather compels the RICH and OPULENT to take shelter under the ROOF of HOSPITALITY, servants must bear the "pelting of the pitiless storm" unprotected; and when a satiety of pleasure drives the reluctant frame of their superiors to the downy pillow of nocturnal relief, their task as yet "is but half performed," and not unfrequently, till the broad sun serves only to remind them of a speedy renewal of their daily labour.
These observations are impartially introduced, to demonstrate their utility in the great scale of OPULENT SOCIETY, as well as to bring home to the reflection of the illiberal and penurious, palpable conviction how highly they stand entitled (upon many particular occasions, and distressing emergencies) to their salutary tenderness and kind consideration. It should be always held in remembrance by SUPERIORS, that the services are reciprocal; and that, in strict truth and candour, the obligation is no greater on one side than the other. Gratitude and AFFECTION is much more likely (in a good soil) to be excited by kindness than severity; and instances are very rare of a SERVANT'S fidelity having been obtained, or preserved, by the unkind treatment, or unjust rigidity, of the MASTER.
Grooms of a certain description are, in general, too much disposed to a degree of self-consequence, and studiously endeavour to obtain an ASCENDANCY in the stabularian department, to which, if the master imprudently and pusillanimously submits, he becomes in some degree a non-entity, and bids adieu to every particle of power upon his own premises. The groom once possessed of this power, and conscious of the ground he stands upon, becomes so confident of his own imaginary superiority, that the master is little more than an instrument of mere passive convenience; barely permitted to think, hardly presuming TO SPEAK, or, in fact, daring to obtrude an OPINION even where his own horses, their health, and safety, are concerned. Grooms, so long as they continue to execute the trust reposed in them with fidelity, that is, with care, kindness, punctuality, and attention to their HORSES, and a dutiful attachment to their employers, will ever find themselves respected; but when, from a false, ridiculous, and ill-founded confidence, they exceed the bounds of consistency, and go beyond their own sphere, in an affected knowledge of the PROPERTY of MEDICINE, QUACKING their masters' HORSES, and becoming self-coined Veterinarians, they, in the eye of every judicious observer, abandon their own merits, and render themselves objects of both pity and contempt.
This affectation of MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE is so very prevalent with stabularian gentlemen, that they support it with a great degree of irritable tenacity; and would sooner have even their HONESTY, than their medical ability called in question. To stem the torrent of this dangerous practice, should be the first principle, and persevering determination, of every GENTLEMAN, who expects to see his HORSES in good CONDITION, and his servants in a state of uniformity: and if he wishes to shield himself from mental disquietude, and his horses from perpetual persecution, he will lay a serious injunction, that no medicine, or nostrum, whatever, shall be administered to any horse or horses under the GROOM'S care, without the MASTER'S acquiescence first had and obtained.
If GENTLEMEN will condescend to give the subject a trifling consideration, they will instantly perceive, that the symptoms of disease, the state of the body, the languor or velocity of the circulation, and the property of the blood itself, must require a greater degree of SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION, than people of this description have the power of going into; from which palpable fact may be inferred, the sole reason why they so often miscarry in their experiments, and so frequently render that a matter of permanent difficulty, which, properly treated, would have proved no more than a mere temporary inconvenience.
Grooms (as well as Coachmen) should have it strongly impressed on their memory, and never lose sight of the reflection, that by a slight, or almost momentary, deviation from the line of rectitude, in either error, inattention, inadvertence, or neglect, injuries may be sustained that neither months or money can repair. Their minds should be always alive to the interest of their employers; they should, in all seasons (but more particularly in the colder months) have it in perpetual recollection, that COLDS are sooner caught than cured; that SWELLED LEGS, and CRACKED HEELS, are much easier obtained than obliterated; that LAMENESS (either by accident or indiscretion) is easier got than gotten rid of; and that bad eyes are much more frequently the effect of a careless or a malicious blow, than of "humours," to which they are upon all occasions so industriously attributed.
Colds and COUGHS are suddenly acquired, and by means at the time but little thought of, till the event first prompts, and then reproaches retrospection. A horse in fine condition, standing in a warm and comfortable stable when at home, is always liable to inconvenience abroad; accidentally exposed to a long, wet, and dirty journey, or a severe chase in sharp winds and unfavourable weather, with a cold and comfortless stable after either, he insures it almost to a certainty, without incessant care and unremitting circumspection. A horse after one or the other, should never be left one minute without the precaution of substantial and unwearied wisping, so long as a wet or damp hair is to be found about him. He should never be permitted to stand still in rain, even with HOUNDS, so great is the danger of throwing the perspirative matter suddenly upon the CIRCULATION; thereby constituting a sizey viscidity of the BLOOD, and laying the foundation of various diseases.
Horses kept in good style, should never have their customary cloathing reduced, but with the strictest care and attention: the internal air of a stable should be regulated, and its temperature equally preserved entirely by the state of the season, (or, in other words, by the SEASON of the YEAR;) and external air should never be additionally admitted in cold and chilling winds, but with the greatest circumspection; as it is to be remembered, it is not the admission of such air in itself alone, by which the injury is sustained, but by the contrast it constitutes, when opposed to the previous warmth of the stable.
GROUSE
;—the name of a HORSE who promised much celebrity on the TURF. He was bred by the Duke of Grafton, and was got by Highflyer out of Georgina, who was got by Matchem, and was own sister to Conductor. He was foaled in 1790; and at three years old beat Monkey, Silver, Tick, Æacus, Agamemnon, Black Puss, Edwin, Rally, and Mr. Vernon's filly by Florizel out of Eve, three miles over the Beacon; but soon after falling lame, he became a STALLION in the Duke's possession, and having already produced Chuckle and First Fruits, both good runners, he is in considerable estimation, and will no doubt contribute to TURF STOCK with increasing reputation.
GROUSE, or RED GAME
,—that species of game for the protection of which the Legislature has provided, is a native inhabitant of HILLS and MOUNTAINS, difficult of access, and much more common to the remote than the centrical parts of the kingdom. They are beautiful in the variegations of their plumage, but inferior to the PHEASANT (particularly the cock) in both feather and size. They are included with PHEASANTS and PARTRIDGES in every act for the PRESERVATION of GAME; but differ individually in respect to the time limited for the commencement and termination of the shooting season.
It is enacted by the 13th George Third, c. lv. s. 2, That no person shall kill, destroy, carry, sell, buy, or have in his possession, any GROUSE, commonly called RED GAME, between the tenth day of December and the twelfth day of August in any year, upon pain of forfeiting, for the first offence, a sum not exceeding 20l. nor less than 10l. and for the second, and every subsequent offence, a sum not exceeding 30l. nor less than 20l. one moiety thereof to go to the informer, and the other moiety to the poor of the parish: and in case the penalty be not paid, and there be no distress to be had, the offender may be committed to prison, to be kept to hard labour for any time not exceeding SIX, nor less than THREE MONTHS.
And for the further preservation of both BLACK GAME and GROUSE, or RED GAME, it is enacted, That any person who shall, between the second day of February and the twenty-fourth day of June, in any year, burn any grig, ling, heath, furze, goss, or fern, on any mountains, hills, heaths, moors, forests, chases, or other wastes, shall be committed to the house of correction for any time not exceeding one month, nor less than ten days; there to be whipped, and kept to hard labour.
GUN
.—A GUN is that well-known instrument of pleasure used in the destruction of GAME, for the privilege of carrying which, its devotees voluntarily contribute so largely to the exigencies of State, and the support of Government. Fashion, that great centre of fluctuation, has in this, as in almost every thing else, wrought a very considerable change. Guns formerly in use for this purpose, were principally constructed from three feet eight and ten inches, to five and even six feet in the length of the barrel only; which, by the effect of constantly increasing ingenuity and persevering invention, are now reduced to a standard varying but little below two feet nine, or above three feet and an inch; these having been improved to such a degree of perfection, as to bring down a bird from FORTY to SIXTY yards distance; and at no greater would any SPORTSMAN wish to put a gun to his shoulder. Guns with longer barrels are generally appropriated to the killing of water fowl, and are called FOWLING-PIECES.
H.
HACK
.—Any horse appropriated to every kind of purpose, (and upon which no great estimation or value is placed,) it has been the custom for time immemorial to distinguish by the appellation of HACK. Custom, however, has permitted a slight deviation from a practice of long standing, and A HACK is now generally understood to imply the idea of a hired horse; that is, a horse the property of a HACKNEY-MAN, JOB or POSTMASTER, who lets out horses by the day, week, or month, and who is obliged to take out an annual licence for permission so to do, paying FIVE SHILLINGS for the same: doing which without A LICENCE, renders him liable to a penalty of TEN POUNDS.
Hack horses, whether for riding or drawing, used in travelling post, are individually liable to a duty of one penny halfpenny per mile, for as many miles as such horse shall be engaged to travel within a day, or any less time; but where the distance cannot then be ascertained, one shilling and ninepence shall be paid for each horse so hired. This duty is demanded by the person letting the horse or horses to hire, who, upon receiving such payment, shall deliver to the person so hiring, one or more STAMP-OFFICE TICKETS, under a penalty of TEN POUNDS.
HACKNEY
,—in the general acceptation of the word with the SPORTING WORLD, is a horse superior to all others upon the score of UTILITY; being rendered subservient to every office of exertion, speed, and perseverance, or, in other words, to all the drudgery and labour of his situation, from which his cotemporaries, the RACER, the HUNTER, and the CHARGER, by the imaginary superiority of their qualifications, and pampered appearance, are always exempt. It is the peculiar province of the HACKNEY to carry his master twelve or fifteen miles in an hour to covert, (where the HUNTER is in waiting,) and sometimes to bring back the GROOM with still greater expedition, whose engagements may probably have occasioned him to be much more in haste than his MASTER. It is in the department of the HACKNEY to encounter and overcome emergencies and difficulties of every description: his constitution should be excellent, and his spirit invincible; he must be enabled to go five-and-twenty or thirty miles at a stage, without drawing bit, and without the least respect to the depth of the roads, or the dreary state of the weather; and if he is not equal to any weight, in these trifling exertions, he will be held in no estimation as a HACKNEY of FASHION.
HACKNEY-MEN
.—Those so called are the proprietors of COACHES, CHAISES, and HORSES, for the accommodation of the public, and of whom may be obtained vehicles of such description for any length of time required. They are subject to a LICENCE ANNUALLY, and various duties upon the different carriages, all which are clearly explained in concise abstracts (called "TAX TABLES") from the Acts of Parliament upon this particular subject.
HAIR
,—with which the frame of the horse is so completely covered, and more familiarly termed COAT, is, in general, indicative of the good or ill state of the horse; not only in respect to health, but to his CONDITION, for whatever work he may be designed. If the subject is sleek in his coat, with a glossy shining surface, soft and pliable in the skin; not tight upon the ribs, as if firmly adhering to the side; no enlargements upon the lower joints of the legs, nor any profuse and faint perspiration upon moderate work, the BLOOD may be pronounced in a HEALTHY STATE, and the horse in fair and GOOD CONDITION.
If, on the contrary, the coat is rough, hollow, staring different ways, of a variegated hue, with a tinge of dust or scaly scurf beneath the surface, the perspirative matter has been thrown upon the circulation by a collapsion of the porous system, the blood is become sizey, and disposed to morbidity, in proportion to the preternatural weight by which it is overloaded, and the obstructions it has to encounter in its passage through the finer vessels, occasioned by the languor of the circulation.
It is no uncommon thing for HORSES in tolerable GOOD CONDITION to go all to pieces, particularly in the autumn months, without the least cause to be assigned, the least reason to be suggested, by either MASTER or GROOM. Certain it is, that to two successive acts of indiscretion, (or error in judgment,) this very prevalent defeat may be attributed, without the least fear of being at all wrong in the conclusion. Grooms and COACHMEN, in general, totally unmindful of the great heat of their stables during the night, throw open the doors immediately upon coming in the morning, (regardless of even frost or snow,) and frequently so continue during the whole ceremony of "mucking out" and carrying away the dung, if not with the addition of stripping and dressing the horses into the bargain.
That the measure of indiscretion may be complete, the ceremony not unfrequently terminates in a three or four gallon pail of hard cold water from the PUMP in the yard or mews; immediately after which, a judicious observer will perceive
- "Each particular hair to stand on end,
- "Like quills upon the fretful porcupine."
This prevailing practice has frequently laid the foundation of various ills, not one of which were ever attributed to the right cause. Such an accumulation of chilling frigidity immediately succeeding the extreme heat of the night, has often produced diseases without end, at least those which ended only with life. Colds, COUGHS, FEVER, (original or symptomatic,) INFLAMMATION of the LUNGS, BAD EYES, BROKEN WIND, SWELLED LEGS, CRACKED HEELS, DROPSY in the chest, with a long list of et ceteras, or even death itself, may be occasioned by circumstances which in themselves appear so trifling, yet they sometimes prove of considerable magnitude, and would attract the necessary attention of any humane man looking after his own horses; but in the present age of duplicity and deception, are very little likely to affect the sensibility or integrity of those looking after the horses of others.
Where a loss of hair has been sustained by some injury, as in broken knees, wounds after being healed, blistering or firing, the growth may be promoted (particularly in slight cases) by reducing three drachms of CAMPHIRE to fine powder, then letting it be well incorporated with two ounces of SPERMA CÆTI OINTMENT upon a marble slab, and a small portion of it well rubbed into the part affected at least once, but it will be better if persevered in twice a day.
HALTER
—is that well-known convenience by which a horse is fastened to the MANGER when confined in a STABLE. Halters are of two kinds; the one prepared of twisted hemp, the other made of LEATHER, having head-stall, throat-straps and buckles, nose-band, &c. and are called double-reined hunting-collars. These are the safest in every respect, and, although the most expensive at first, are proportionally durable, and consequently cheapest in the course of time. Hempen halters are sometimes injurious, in forming swellings, or lacerations, upon the upper part of the head, behind the ears, by the friction of the hard-twisted hemp upon a part naturally tender and easily susceptible. They are, however, now but very little used, except in the stables of inferior inns, and of indigent rustics.
HALTER-CAST
.—This is an accident to which horses are constantly liable, and it very frequently happens; but, in general, from the inadvertency of leaving the rein of the halter of too great a length on either one side or the other: for when the horse is lying down, and has occasion (from itching, or some other cause) to rub his neck or head with the hind foot, it is no uncommon thing to have it get entangled in the halter-rein; which encircling the cavity of the heel, renders it impossible for the animal to extricate himself, unless the halter breaks in his favor; and during these struggles, the heel is sometimes so terribly excoriated, as to become not only a WOUND of much trouble, anxiety, and loss of labour, but often leaves a very vexatious blemish, never to be removed. It is, therefore, a truly necessary part of stable circumspection, to have an occasional eye to a circumstance in itself so seemingly insignificant, when it is recollected, that its omission may be productive of much mortification.
HALTING
—may be considered a limping, or slight impediment to FREE and EASY ACTION, implying some kind of perceptible defect or disquietude, not amounting to absolute LAMENESS. Whenever this irregularity in motion is first observed, and that the legs do not move in corresponding uniformity, or, in other words, as if they were not fellows, an accurate examination should be immediately made to ascertain the CAUSE, that it may be speedily relieved; upon a very fair presumption, that what might produce only a limping or halting in the first instance, might probably become a confirmed LAMENESS by a perseverance in use, without adverting to the proper means of alleviation upon the original discovery of something amiss.
HAM, HOUGH, or HOCK
,—is the joint in the center of the hind leg behind; and although so wonderfully united for STRENGTH and ACTION, is nevertheless the seat of serious injuries, as BLOOD and BONE SPAVINS, CURBS, &c. the major part of which originate much more in improper treatment, by short turns, sudden jerks, or twists, upon the road, or in the stable, than by any accidents or fair mode of usage whatever.
HAMBLETONIAN
;—the name of A HORSE whose performances have ranked him in an equal degree of retrospective celebrity with Eclipse, Highflyer, Diomed, and the most famous runners of the past or present day. He was bred by Mr. Hutchinson, of Skipton, near York, and foaled in 1792; was got by King Fergus; dam by Highflyer; grand-dam by Matchem.—1795. May 5, when three years old, he won a stakes of fifteen guineas each, over Hambleton, (five subscribers,) beating Sober Robin, Tarquin, and another. At York, May 20th, he won a sweepstakes of twenty guineas each, four subscribers. He was then purchased, with all his engagements, by Sir C. Turner, Bart. in whose possession he won, on the 27th of August, at York, a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, (six subscribers,) beating Benjamin, Minus, and Maximus. Two days after he won a sweepstakes of fifty guineas each, four subscribers. At Doncaster, the 22d of September, he won the St. Leger stakes of twenty-five guineas each, twelve subscribers. The next day he won the GOLD CUP of 100 guineas value, four miles, beating Governor, Capsicum, and Bradamant.
1796. At the York August meeting he won a subscription purse of 227l. 10s. beating Spread Eagle, Sober Robin, and another. The next day he won the ladies' plate, beating Lord Darlington's St. George. At this period of his uninterrupted success, he was purchased by Sir Henry Tempest Vane, Bart. and at Doncaster, September 28, won the GOLD CUP of 100 guineas value, beating Sober Robin, Ambrosio, and three others. In the Newmarket Houghton meeting, November 2, he beat Mr. Tatton's Patriot (who was got by Rockingham) over the Beacon Course for 1000 guineas.
1797. Monday in the Newmarket Craven meeting, he won the Craven stakes of ten guineas each, beating Sober Robin, Bennington, Paynator, Hermione, Parisot, Cymbeline, and five others. The same day he received 250 guineas forfeit from Spread Eagle. On Thursday, in the same week, he beat Lord Clermont's Aimator, Beacon Course, 300 guineas. At York, August 23, he won one third of the great subscription of 25 guineas each, (25 subscribers,) to which was added a 50l. plate given by the city. The next day he won another third of the same subscription, with an additional 50l. plate by the City, beating Beningbrough, Trimbush, and Brilliant. At Doncaster, the 27th of September, he won the stakes of ten guineas each, (ten subscribers,) with twenty guineas added by the Corporation; and on the 29th received 100 guineas forfeit from Mr. Sitwell's Moorcock.
In 1798 he was slightly lame, and never started.
1799. Monday, in the Craven meeting at Newmarket, he beat Mr. Cookson's famous horse Diamond, over the Beacon, for 3000 guineas, with the odds of five to four in his favour, on account of his superiority in size and strength; it being jocularly observed by the rider of Diamond at starting, that it seemed "a little like a race between a mare and her colt." This match was the greatest in popularity ever known from one extremity of the kingdom to the other, and was decided before one of the fullest meetings ever seen at Newmarket. It was won by no more than three parts of a length, to effect which the winner had felt the utmost force of the spur; and, it was generally believed, if they had then one hundred yards farther to have ran, Diamond would have been the winner; in proof of the justice of which opinion, Mr. Cookson challenged a repetition of the match, which was declined.
At Doncaster the same year, he won the renewed stakes of ten guineas each, (fourteen subscribers, with twenty guineas added by the Corporation,) beating eight of the best horses in the north of England. In 1800 he won the great subscription at York, with 50l. given by the City, which was the last time he started. He once ran out of the Course, soon after starting, when running three miles over York, 1797, for a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each against Deserter and Spread Eagle; and paid one forfeit to Sterling (from being amiss in 1792) at Newmarket; but NEVER WAS BEAT. He is now a stallion in high repute near Leeds, in Yorkshire, at TEN GUINEAS, and half a guinea the groom.
HAND
—is the term for a mode of measurement by which the height of A HORSE is ascertained. A HAND (so called originally from its breadth) is four inches; three hands is consequently one foot; and A HORSE OF FIFTEEN HANDS is exactly five feet high; and so above or below in proportion; as thirteen hands three inches; fourteen hands and a half; or fifteen hands three inches and a quarter; as the measure may be. This, at the entrance of horses for GIVE and take plates, is regulated to a most scrupulous nicety by means of a standard, so curiously constructed, as to ascertain the exact height to the eighth of an inch, where horses are MATCHED to carry WEIGHT for inches.
Bridle-hand: the left hand is so termed, in contra-distinction to the right, which is called the WHIP-HAND; and the most experienced jockies in racing, always take the whip-hand, if possible; it being considered a point in their favour; that is, because they have not only an advantage in the turns of the course, but their adversaries circumscribe a larger circle of many lengths in a FOUR MILES race, exclusive of their having an unrestrained use of THE WHIP, should it come to a severe push at the run in.
There are many sporting phrases in which the word HAND becomes particularly emphatic. To say a horse is LIGHT in HAND, implies his being playful, lively, champing his bit, firm upon his haunches, and not dwelling upon the ground with his fore feet. A horse is HEAVY in HAND, when, bearing his weight upon the bit, and lifting his fore legs with reluctance, he goes boring on, with no other sensation to the rider, than an eternal fear of his pitching upon his head. A vicious horse, breaking away with his rider, seems a dreadful sight to a spectator, but can never be attended with misfortune, if the rider is a good HORSEMAN, and has him "well in hand," which is, in fact, the power of "gathering him together," or stopping his career at pleasure.
Although the left is technically termed the BRIDLE-HAND, yet a good horseman, or experienced sportsman, will use either right or left with the most perfect ease and dexterity; to effect which with the greater freedom, young horsemen should constantly practise an exchange of the reins from one hand to the other in their daily excursions. The hand should be delicately alive to every motion of the horse; for it is the judicious management of one, that is to constitute entirely the good or bad mouth of the other. A horse is supposed to gallop awkwardly (if not unnaturally) when he strikes into that pace with his left leg foremost; to prevent which, bear the rein to the left, with the bridle-hand, and the horse invariably sets off with the right leg.
Hand-gallop is that easy kind of pacing adapted to the aged and infirm, who wish to obtain every possible degree of motion, most consonant to bodily ease; it is the degree of equestrian action synonimous with, and more universally known by, the denomination of CANTER; which is, in fact, the slowest, or most contracted gallop, and can only be enjoyed by those who possess horses of good temper, and well broke for the purpose.
A COLT said to be "taken in hand," implies his being brought from his wild state of nature, to be handled, quieted, led about, and stabled, previous to his being broke in for the SADDLE or HARNESS.
A horse's FORE-HAND includes the fore quarters, from the withers upwards to the tip of the ears; the principal beauty and attraction of which depend entirely upon the length and curvilinear form of the neck, which increases or diminishes his marketable value, in proportion as it is well or ill formed.