POINT
.—A horse standing in his stall, or elsewhere, with one fore-leg at some distance before the other, is always concluded, by the most experienced, to have sustained some irreparable injury either in the SHOULDER, or the ligamentary junction of the COFFIN and CORONARY bones, concealed in the box (or cavity) of the hoof. This is in a considerable degree to be relied on; but there are many instances in which a horse accustoms himself to awkward positions, and they become habitual: some stand with either the near or the off fore-leg eternally before the other, and are as perfectly sound as any horses in the kingdom. To say, therefore, from a horse's manner of standing, that he is lame, would be as absurd as to say any man could not be either a good dancer, or fencer, because he stood, when disengaged from both, in a careless, lounging, ungraceful attitude.
POINT
—is the position of a POINTER, when standing seemingly fixed and immoveable at the game before him; at the moment of observing which, particularly with young or unsteady dogs, the natural ejaculatory caution of "To ho!" "Have a care!" transpires; not more as an injunction of steadiness to the dog standing, but as a communicative mode of enjoining the attention of every dog in the field to the first who has obtained the point.
POINTER
.—The pointer is that species of dog well known to contribute more to the contemplative pleasures and pursuits of a sportsman, than any other in the canine catalogue. This peculiar breed, on account of their universality and general utility, have been so incredibly crossed, re-crossed, bred in, and bred out, to gratify the various opinions, (as prompted by fancy, caprice, or speculation,) that they are now to be found of all sizes, and all qualifications; from the slow, short-headed, heavy-shouldered remains of the original Spanish pointer, (who will tire in half a day's work,) to the cross of in and in with a FOX HOUND, of which none are ever known to tire; many of them having speed enough to catch a leveret three parts grown, when they jump up before them. Pointers, forty or fifty years since, were hardly ever seen but entirely white, or variegated with liver-coloured spots; except the then Duke of Kingston's black and white, which were considered superior to every breed in the kingdom, and sold for most extravagant sums after his death. They are now, from the constantly increasing attachment to field sports, to be seen of every description, from pure white, and a flea-bitten blue or grey, to a universal liver-colour, and a perfect black. In a choice of pointers for general use, that is for every species of GAME, the extremes in size, as well as in speed, are better avoided, and the line of mediocrity adhered to: overgrown, heavy dogs, soon get weary in the hot and early part of the season: the smaller sort have also their inconveniencies in hunting in very high turnips, heath, broom-fields, &c.
As some advantages have been obtained by the various crosses, both in respect to speed, and the durability of fatigue, so something has been sacrificed on the score of patient forbearance, and olfactory sensibility; the gradational shades of one species introduced by every change having so diversified the original stock, that a much greater degree of trouble is requisite in breaking now than formerly, to bring a POINTER of perfection into the field. The impatient volatility of some men probably prompted them to indulge a design of introducing a breed of pointers, with speed sufficient to outstrip the rapidity of their own imaginations, that they might enjoy the unprecedented and supreme felicity of hunting and shooting at the same time; hence, perhaps, arose the emulative struggle for a superiority of speed in addition to POINT, which, it must be acknowledged, has at length reached the very summit of perfection. Pointers are never considered complete, unless they are perfectly staunch to "BIRD, DOG, and GUN;" which implies, first, standing singly to a bird or a covey; secondly, to backing (or pointing instantaneously likewise) the moment he perceives another dog to STAND; and lastly, not to stir from his point, upon the firing of any gun in company, provided the GAME is neither sprung or started at which he made his original point.
The art of breaking pointers for the field, was, twenty or thirty years since, looked upon as a very mysterious and difficult piece of business; many (called dog-breakers) deriving a subsistence from the employment: the charm, however, has been long since broken, and the process is known to be so exceedingly simple, that a tolerable well-bred pointer puppy may have the foundation of all his future perfections theoretically inculcated in the VERY KITCHEN or PARLOUR of his MASTER, before he is taken into the field. This is so truly and practically possible, that it may be done with two or three brace together in a large room, or small yard, with no other assistance, than the alternate words of "TO-HO!" "TAKE HEED!" and "HAVE A CARE!" (with the small field whip in hand to impress attention,) although meat is tossed before them in every direction; when not a dog will stir till the signal of "HIE-ON" is heard, which they eagerly obey; but are as instantly stopped at the very moment of seizing their meat, by either of the cautions previously mentioned. Young dogs, having thus imbibed the principles upon which they are to act, have nature, and their instinctive impulse, to point out their practice when brought into the field: few are seen who hunt too little, the major part are inclined to range too much, and then it is that the cool and steady patience of the experienced sportsman becomes necessary to check the impetuosity. Juvenile gunners frequently spoil young dogs, by keeping them under as little restraint as they wish to be kept themselves; and too often let them break away out of all reasonable distance, till they acquire a habit of inattention and disobedience, of which some are with very great difficulty, if ever, divested.
When brought into the field, they should be taught to traverse every yard of the ground, (in proper lengths, and at proper distances,) so that none be left unbeaten; and this should be done with as few words, and as little noise, as possible. Short verbal signals, low vibrative whistles, and the motion of the hand to the right or left, are all that's useful; more does mischief: one steady shot of this description, with a brace of pointers obedient to command, and staunch to DOG and GUN, will kill more game in any country, than a noisy crew with three or four brace of dogs before them. All young pointers should not be permitted to deviate from the proper rule of quartering the ground before them; that is, to cover a line of fourscore yards transversely in the front of his master, taking forty yards to his right, and re-passing him, take the same distance to the left; and in such proportions as not to let his crossings and re-crossings be more than five-and-twenty or thirty yards from each other. If a brace of pointers are in the field, they should alternately cross the same beat, by meeting and passing each other; but never beat the same way in a parallel direction.
Those who wish pointers to bring the GAME when killed, will find it very easy of attainment, by teaching them to fetch and carry before they take the field; it is an amusement they are much delighted with, and never forget: it has, however, one chance of inconvenience annexed to the experiment, if they become hard-mouthed, and take to breaking both flesh and feather; it is a fault, or rather a crime, never obliterated, but with incessant trouble and severity. It is a practice with some to hunt their pointers in coverts, with bells about their necks, both in COCK and PHEASANT shooting; those who do it, hold their pointers (at least their excellence) in very slender estimation, as it invariably reduces their speed; renders them slow, tardy, undisciplined, and inclined to hang and puzzle, by constantly drawing upon the foot of the pheasant, or upon a hare in covert, when one happens to start before them; in a persevering pursuit of which, high-spirited dogs, full of blood, are subject to fits, and of long duration: cutting off half an inch of the tail, or bleeding in the roof of the mouth, is the only extemporaneous remedy in the field. Previous to the beginning of the season, that is, a fortnight before the commencement, each dog should have two doses of physic about four days apart; after which proper attention should be paid to the provision, which should be of a sweet and healthy kind, to preserve as much as possible their faculties in full perfection. From the hardness and heat of the ground in the first weeks of September, it sometimes happens, that the feet become lacerated, inflamed, and exceedingly sore; when which is observed, a plentiful washing, with warm gruel and a sponge, will afford considerable relief; in an hour or two after which, the application of some weak salt and water, or cold white-wine vinegar, will harden the surface, and probably prevent a repetition.
POLE-CAT
.—The pole-cat is a species of vermin, partaking, in some degree, of the figure and propensities of the MARTIN and the FERRET; or rather between both. It is smaller than the one, and considerably larger than the other; is an inhabitant of the bushy coverts in the neighbourhood of lonely farm-houses; to the POULTRY, EGGS, and DOVE-HOUSES, of which they are constant and destructive enemies. The effluvia, or rather stench, arising from their bodies is so truly offensive, that it has long since laid the foundation of the well-known proverbial expression of "stinking like a POLE-CAT."
POLL-EVIL
,—in its first stage, is a tumefaction formed upon the poll of a horse immediately behind the ears, and is, in general, occasioned by a blow, bruise, or, perhaps, sometimes by the heavy weight and constant pressure of old harsh, stubborn harness-halters; as it is a kind of casual defect, or misfortune, with which only draught-horses are known to be much affected. Upon its discovery, when in an early state, repulsion may be attempted by mild restringents, as a few minutes patient fomentation with HOT VINEGAR and a sponge, followed by a slight application of CAMPHORATED SPIRITS; not evidently submitting to which at a third or fourth repetition, but continuing to increase, and display symptoms of impending maturation, those appearances must be immediately encouraged by proper means, and every attempt at repulsion instantly discontinued. Hot fomentations with gruel, immediately succeeded by emollient poultices of linseed powder, milk, and a small quantity of turpentine well incorporated; or bread, milk, and white lily root, bruised to a paste, and applied of a proper warmth, are the best modes of expediting suppuration; when which takes place, no small share of Veterinary knowledge, and professional punctuality, is requisite to obtain a sound and perfect cure.
POMONA
.—There have been three well-bred mares of this name: the first bred by Lord Clermont, foaled in 1769, got by Squirrel, dam by Young Cade, grand-dam by Rib, out of Grisewood's Lady Thigh. The second was bred by the late Duke of Cumberland, foaled in 1775, got by Herod, dam by Snap, grand-dam by Regulus. This mare was the dam of several runners, including Nina, Spear, Gardener, and Halbert. The third was bred by Mr. O'Kelly, foaled in 1783, got by Vertumnus out of Helen, (who was got by South,) the dam of Paris, Saturn, Lady Thigh, Troy, Golden Apple, &c.
POST MATCH
—is a term in RACING, where it is only necessary to insert the age of the HORSES in the Articles, and to run any horse of that age, without declaring what horse, till he appears at the post.
POT8OO'S
,—the name of a horse whose performances as a RACER, and progeny as a STALLION, will transmit his celebrity to succeeding generations in various directions: he was bred by the late Lord Abingdon, foaled in 1773, and got by Eclipse out of Sportsmistress, the dam of Lexicon, Jocundo, Roscius, Siddons, Peg Woffington, Sir Thomas, and Sulky. This horse was so named to gratify a little pique against the late Colonel O'Kelly, in allusion to the place of his nativity, ironically called the Land of Potatoes. Upon the turf he proved himself equal to any horse of his time: as a STALLION, few, if any, have stood in higher estimation. Exclusive of an infinity of annual winners, who have ran as COLTS and FILLIES for large stakes, but without a name, he is the SIRE of Parsley, Smack, Telescope, Turnip-top, Asparagus, Coriander, Flea, Misseltoe, Tiny, Alderman, Gumcistus, Cayenne, Chigwell, Golden Rod, Triptolemus, Cynthius, Druid, Emma, Guy, Lady, Lilliput, Polyanthus, Vesper, and Waxy. Aurora, Capsicum, Sister to Druid, Doricles, Edwin, Kidney, Mealy, Vixen, and Warwick. Doubtful, Faunus, Lambourn, Brother to Lilliput, Oliver, Molly Maybush, Rowland, Thereabouts, Golden Dab, and Yorkshire Bite. Dutchess of Limbs, Outcast, Schedoni, Trip-it, Dr. O'Liffey, Scrub, Snuff-box, Worthy, Champion, Crazy Jane, Canterbury, Lampedo, and Trifle.
PRECIPITATE
,—a horse of much recent celebrity, whose name was truly applicable to his descent. He was bred by Lord Egremont, foaled in 1787, got by Mercury, (a son of Eclipse,) dam by Herod, grand-dam (Maiden) by Matchem, out of Mr. Pratt's Old Squirt mare. In the first Spring Meeting at Newmarket 1790, when three years old, he won the first class of the Prince's Stakes of 100 guineas each, beating Thunderbolt, Chanticleer, and Sir Pepper; four having paid forfeit. In the same week he won the Bolton Stakes of 50 guineas each, beating Dragon, Chambooè, and Palafox; seven paying forfeit. Second Spring Meeting, he won the third class of the Prince's Stakes of 100 guineas each, beating Thunderbolt; seven paying forfeit. In the same week he received 100 guineas forfeit from Lord Grosvenor's Rhadamanthus. In 1792 he won 50l. at Guildford, beating Doge, Thunderbolt, Seringapatam, and Stout. The next day 50l. at the same place, beating Cardock and Griffin. The King's 100 guineas at Lewes, beating Skyscraper at three heats, the first being deemed a dead heat; after which he became a stallion in his Lordship's stud at 12 guineas a mare. He is the sire of Jonquille, Petworth, Matrannee, Rosalba, Chesnut Colt out of Bobtail, Chesnut Colt out of Rosemary, Humbug, Lazarus, Raginer, Apollo, Gulliver, Tag, Louisa, Tipstaff, and many others now in training.
PREVENTION
—is in itself a matter of so much magnitude, that it should ever be predominant in the mind of the sportsman and the man of pleasure. Prudence, PATIENCE, and PHILOSOPHY, when properly exerted, are frequently preventives to disease, mental mortification, trouble, expence, and consequent compunction. It is an established and incontrovertible maxim, that PREVENTION is preferable to CURE; under the influence of which impression (if properly attended to) a very great number of those occurrences, accidents, and dangerous diseases, which so constantly happen, might certainly be avoided; as, upon strict investigation, the far greater part may be found to originate in carelessness, neglect, indolence, or inhumanity. Riding or driving horses immoderate and unreasonable journies, without stopping upon the ROAD; riding hunters hardest in the DEEPEST ground, and taking very strong unnecessary leaps in the field; placing horses in a cold stable without immediate attention, when in a high state of perspiration; are amongst the many foundations of disease and disquietude which may be prevented, and are well worthy retention in the memory of those who wish to see their horses in health and good condition.
PRICKED
.—A horse is said to be pricked, when, in SHOEING, any one of the nails is accidentally or injudiciously driven too near the membranes with which the box of the hoof is lined: this may happen with the most expert operator by a sudden inversion of the point when in its seeming proper direction. A tenderness and halting is also very frequently occasioned by the nails passing close to, and pressing upon, the internal parts, which, by tight clinching, constitutes so great a compression, that pain (particularly in action) inevitably ensues; in which case instantly taking off the shoe, well oiling the hoof, replacing the shoe with more care and less force, will prove it a mere temporary inconvenience.
When a horse is suspected to be pricked, in consequence of going lame immediately after having been shod, and not before, it is then of course natural to conclude some injury has been sustained during the operation of shoeing, and that he does not go lame in consequence of any previous accident. Circumstances thus tending to justify the inference, a careful examination should be made without delay: the nails should be extracted singly in succession; and when the shoe is off, a proper degree of pressure should be made with the PINCERS, to ascertain the tender part. This done, it is too much the custom, particularly with the obstinate of the old school, to recur to their usual practice of devastation, by an immediate and immoderate definition of parts, under the plea of an "absolute necessity for going to the bottom," to prevent what most probably is by no means likely to ensue. If the particular nail is discovered by which the injury has been sustained, opening the spot of its insertion in a very trifling degree upon the surface, and pouring in a small quantity of Friar's Balsam, or compound Tincture of Myrrh, will in general allay the irritability, harden the punctured part, and subdue any tendency to inflammation: on the contrary, should any painful symptoms of impending maturation appear, emollient poultices, and warm digestives, should be applied to the bottom of the foot, to obtain a discharge from that part, that the formation of A QUITTOR may, if possible, be prevented.
PRICKET
.—The male produce of the BUCK and DOE (fallow deer) is so called at two years old, when he begins to put forth his head.
PRICKING
—is the unsportsmanlike act of tracking a HARE by the points of her feet, upon the paths and highways, when the hounds are at fault: it is a common practice, and can only be justified where hares are exceedingly scarce, and difficult to be found, with packs very small in number, or deficient in effect; but it is a custom too mean and degrading to be permitted with hounds of eminence, who must kill their game with a reputation untainted, or not kill at all.
PROBE
—is a silver instrument used by SURGEONS and VETERINARIANS, in sounding the depth of cavities, sinusses, fistulas, and wounds: they are, upon unexpected emergencies, so very frequently useful in the country-house, or remote residence of a sportsman, that it should never be without this, and some other trifling instruments of little expence; exclusive of lint, tow, ointments, tinctures, and a few other cordial and diuretic medicines, for which there is sometimes a sudden and unexpected occasion.
PULSE
.—In all dangerous and inflammatory diseases of horses, much information may be derived from the state of the PULSE; in addition to the observations to be made upon the difficulty of respiration, the heaving of the flank, the heat of the mouth, and the state of the eyes. It seems, by the nicest observations, that the pulsations in a healthy horse seldom exceed from forty to forty-five in a minute; exceeding which in any material degree, there is then reason to believe, inflammatory heat is predominant in the frame, and that fever is rapidly advancing in proportion to the increased velocity of the blood. Farriers in general, either from a want of attention, or want of judgment, are most culpably deficient in this part of their professional examination; upon a competent proficiency in which, must solely depend the CONSISTENCY, or impropriety, of repeated bleedings, in all cases of high and increasing inflammations, where REPETITIONS are absolutely indispensible for the preservation of life.
PURGING
—is an operation with horses, upon the propriety, consistency, danger, and utility of which, various opinions have been opposed to each other for half a century past; these, after the public experience of the last fourteen years, seem to have centered in an acknowledged preponderation of its occasional use; and that without its frequent salutary introduction, certain diseases are neither to be prevented or cured. The absolute necessity for sometimes PURGING, is not only now universally admitted, but the practice as generally adopted; the first step to a successful termination of which operation is, to adapt (by every possible degree of precaution) the strength of the physic to the size, state, and constitution of the HORSE, as well as an eye to the particular cause for which the purgation is become necessary. Proper attention paid to these leading circumstances, and due care observed during its process, no apprehensions of danger need be at all entertained.
It is necessary those who have not been accustomed to the management of horses under so serious an operation, should know, that, from the great length of the intestinal canal, a horse requires a considerable decree of cathartic stimulus to insure excremental expulsion. When the contents of the larger intestines are become indurated by long retention, little work, and a want of exercise, there is then a kind of constitutional tendency to constipation, when, of course, more disquietude or pain will be experienced by the subject, than when the body is in a more favourable and less costive state. The intestines (when extended) exceeding thirty yards in length, and laying compressed in a horizontal position within the frame, and in so small a compass, is the principal, and almost only, reason to be advanced, why the combination of purgative ingredients continue from eighteen to twenty-four hours in the frame, before the fæces are sufficiently softened for the operation to begin.
Exclusive of the various disorders to which horses are subject, requiring a course of physic upon their first appearance, or at their termination, (as may be collected from the works of those who have written professedly upon the subject,) there are many instances, in which PURGING may be very advantageously brought into use, as a critical PREVENTIVE to DISEASE, although there may, at the time, be but little external cause to believe such morbidity is impending. Horses constantly standing in a stable upon full and good keep, with but very little work, and short exercise, generate blood freely, and lose a very trifling proportion of the constantly accumulating contents of the frame, by either perspiration or evacuation. Thus then the vessels, as well as the carcase, become so evidently overloaded, that the whole labours under the rigidity of one universal distension; constituting a preternatural stricture upon the body and its extremities, by which the system of secretion and excretion is partially or universally affected, and the regular routine of the ANIMAL ŒCONOMY proportionally deranged. Under this concise, but explanatory, definition of repletion, and its effects, will be found the necessity for occasionally unloading the body by proper evacuants, and relieving the vessels from the unnatural stricture which reduces the elasticity of the solids, and retards or obstructs the easy circulation of their contents.
PURITY
—was a mare of distinguished celebrity originally, but rendered much more so, as the dam of the famous horse Rockingham, whose performances will be found under that head. Purity was bred by Mr. Pratt; foaled in 1774, and got by Matchem out of the old Squirt mare. She was the dam of Rockingham, Archibald, Fitzwilliam, and a filly by Highflyer; as well as others by Florizel, Magnet, Paymaster, and Saltram. Her dam (the old Squirt mare) produced many racers of the first class: Virgin, Miracle, Dido, Conundrum, Ranthos, Enigma, Riddle, Miss Tims, Pumpkin, Maiden, Rasselas, Purity, and three others; having continued to breed from 1755 to 1774; during which period of nineteen years, she produced the fifteen colts and fillies here described.
PURSIVENESS
—is a disorder, or degree of disease, with a difficulty of respiration, beyond the effect of a common cold and cough, but falling short of the malady denominated BROKEN WIND. Pursiveness in a horse bears no ill affinity to the asthmatic complaints of the human species. Although there have been refined distinctions adopted, and definitions attempted, between the symptoms of a cold and the disorder called pursiveness in a horse, yet one is very little more or less than an inveterate stage of the other. The blood having, from some particular cause, become sizey, has consequently passed through the finer vessels with a languor far inferior to the purposes of health; hence obstructions are first formed; and these continuing to increase, tubercles follow. The parts necessary to a free and easy respiration being thus affected, it becomes laborious and oppressive in a proportional degree with the increasing viscidity of the blood, and the length of time it has been permitted to continue in its progress without restraint. The finer vascular ramifications of the lungs being thus partially closed, imperfect respiration ensues; producing those whistling wheezings with which ASTHMATIC horses are observed to be distressed, particularly in brisk action, until it progressively terminates in broken wind, which it will inevitably do, unless the proper means of alleviation and cure are earnestly adopted. Frequent bleedings, pectoral detergents, intervening attenuants, and mercurial purging balls, (administered with patient and punctual perseverance,) are the only medical aids from which permanent relief must be expected, or can be obtained.
Q.
QUAILS
—are small birds, found, at certain seasons, in corn fields and stubbles, as well as in the standing crops of backward clover: they partake, in a certain degree, of the game species, as spaniels (that are well bred) instantly feather, and pointers gradually draw to a doubtful POINT, upon winding them, and STAND FIRM if near to the bird. Quails are considered birds of passage, as they are only to be seen in the centrical parts of the kingdom during the four warmest months of the year. They get up before the dog with great reluctance, running till almost weary before they rise. When upon wing, a very moderate shot will bring them down. In those counties where they are found in greater plenty than in some others, they are caught alive, by means of what is termed a QUAIL-CALL and NETS; and sometimes in such numbers, as to be seen at the shops of the London poulterers in cages exhibited for sale.
QUALIFICATION
—is both a sporting and parliamentary term for the privilege of killing game, in HUNTING, COURSING, SHOOTING, or by any mode which the qualified party may chuse to adopt; provided it is not repugnant to such other Acts as are still in force for the prevention of POACHING, and those nocturnal depredations by which the game is annually so daringly reduced. This qualification (or exemption from the penalties of former Acts during different reigns) till of very late years, consisted in the full and unrestrained possession of one hundred pounds per annum, issuing from FREEHOLD LAND, or estate, and producing that clear annual sum when every other expence was paid: or, the possession of a LEASEHOLD estate of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum, in right of self or wife, for the term of ninety-nine years, or any term beyond that period. In addition to which, it is enacted by an Act of the Legislature during the present reign of George the Third, That every person in Great Britain who shall use any dog, gun, net, or other engine, for the taking or destruction of GAME, shall take out an annual certificate, from the Clerk of the Peace for the county in which he resides, and shall pay for such certificate the sum of THREE POUNDS THREE SHILLINGS, with one shilling to the clerk for his trouble in making it out. See Game, and Game Laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
—appertain, in a particular degree, to the subject of RACING upon the TURF, and is used in a certain signification. Plates of 50l. are given at numerous places of sport, to be run for on certain conditions; some by COLTS and FILLIES of three years old; some four years old; others five and six; and, lastly, for HORSES of all AGES and QUALIFICATIONS. The precise meaning of which is, that a horse equal in AGE to one or more of his competitors, may be very superior in qualifications; in which case it becomes necessary and equitable to bring their abilities more upon an equality, by so encreasing the weight which one is to carry above the standard of the other, that there may be left very little probability of deciding upon the certainty of superiority in SPEED, when the impartial and judicious adjustment of weight is so properly fixed, as to leave an equal hope and expectation of winning the PRIZE for which they are to start. To render such mode the less liable to objection, it is mostly the custom to say in the advertisements, a winner of one plate in the present year to carry 3lb. the winner of two, 5lb. and of three, or more, 7lb. extra.
QUARTER (False.)
—The DEFECT so called in the hoof of a HORSE, is the renovated part of what has been by some accident previously destroyed; and this effort of nature being inadequate, in its regeneration, to the original formation, the quarter of the heel, in its growth, acquires a kind of spongy puffiness or elasticity, accompanied by a CLEFT or CRACK, which prevents a perfect and undivided union with that part of the hoof uninjured, constituting a tender weakness, as well as a permanent blemish, not to be obliterated during the life of the horse. Notwithstanding which, much depends upon the management during the time the original injury remains in its infant state. A wanton destruction of parts, by the too hasty and injudicious interposition of CAUSTICS and CUTTING KNIVES, frequently does more mischief in twelve hours, than Nature, with all her powerful endeavours, can repair in as many months. When by these, or other means, a false quarter cannot be avoided, it should be occasionally attended to during the progress of its growth: the uneven prominencies should, when becoming luxuriant and irregular, be kept down by gentle erasions with the RASP, and the surface, the cleft, and surrounding part, be plentifully moistened with FRIAR'S BALSAM, TINCTURE of MYRRH, or some such applicable substitute, as may give it a gradational hardening, and effectually reduce the irritability of the parts affected. To relieve the ill-effect of this inconvenience to a certain degree, a BAR-SHOE may be so carefully constructed, as to shield the tender and weaker part of the hoof from PRESSURE; and this can only be done by forming the shoe of such thickness, as to admit of its taking its bearing equally from the sound parts of the hoof, about an inch or two on each side the seat of injury, with strength sufficient to prevent a chance of its indentation upon the tender part intended to be protected.
QUARTERS
.—The fore and hind parts of a horse are frequently so called; for instance, such a horse is beautifully formed in his FORE QUARTERS, but he is exceedingly ill made behind; and some are well proportioned in the gascoins, the hip, the rump, and hocks, but are ill formed and low before. The FORE QUARTERS include the head, neck, breast, withers, and fore legs, to the girths; the HIND QUARTERS comprehend the hips, thighs, hams, hocks, and hind legs.
QUEST
.—Hounds (beagles or harriers) are said to QUEST, when they first give tongue after coming upon trail. Spaniels are said to quest also, when they give tongue in covert, upon coming up to the foot and scent of partridge, pheasant, hare, or cock.
OUICKSILVER
—is an article of almost incredible medical utility; a full and explanatory description of which will be found under the head Mercury.
QUITTOR
.—The serious injury so denominated, is, in its origin, a painful and inflammatory formation of matter (arising from various causes) at the precise junction of the HAIR with the upper part of the HOOF: this, from the peculiar construction of the parts, particularly if injudiciously conduced, soon degenerates into a virulent, ill-conditioned ULCER, dangerous in its progress, and uncertain in its termination. Treads, blows, and bruises, EXTERNALLY, and a lodgment of gravel, or other extraneous substance, having insinuated itself INTERNALLY, from the bottom of the foot, and working upwards, are principally the means by which such misfortune is too frequently and unluckily produced. The practice too prevalent with FARRIERS (newly termed veterinarians) is to proceed with all possible fire and fury to a speedy and unrelenting destruction of parts: the introduction of a large portion of CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE is adopted to "bring away the core;" or BLUE VITRIOL, reduced to powder, and mixed with the OIL also, is used for the same: these frequently proving the REMEDY to be worse than the DISEASE, the knife is called in aid, and, by daily use, (after the patience of the owner is nearly exhausted, and his purse equally operated upon with the horse,) the subject becomes calculated for little more or less than the COLLAR MAKER, to whom such patients are in general ultimately consigned: unless they fall into the hands of judicious practitioners; who, knowing the properties of medicine, and the useful interposition of art, can patiently condescend to complete with the SYRINGE, what the less qualified can never perform with the KNIFE.
QUITTOR-BONE
—is a protrusive enlargement upon some part of the CORONET of a HORSE, originating in a ligamentary distortion, fibrous rupture, or internal injury; which continuing to encrease in size to the utmost distention of the integument, it then gradually acquires a certain degree of callosity, and lastly, OSSIFICATION, from whence is derived its present denomination. Custom has established the alternatives of BLISTERING or FIRING, and they not unfrequently succeed each other. A little reflection will, however, determine whether it is not sometimes better
R.
RABBIT
—is the well-known animal, bearing some similitude to the HARE in its formation, but no proportional excellence as a luxury for the table. Rabbits are of two kinds, the wild, and domestic; the latter of which are bred in hutches exceedingly tame, and in a sporting view lay claim to no consideration. The wild rabbits are much inferior in size, and many shades lighter in the colour of their fur, than the hare, to whom they have a natural and an invincible aversion; which, in fact, seems to be mutual, as they are but rarely found in the purlieus of each other. The rabbit, in its wild and uncultivated state, (not part of, or appertaining to a warren,) is thought of but very little intrinsic value, and is killed or taken as a matter of public right, by individuals of every class who happen to find them; not being included in the late acts of parliament for the PRESERVATION of the GAME; although they are mentioned as conies in some of the former records, which, though unrepealed, are seldom resorted to for legal information. Rabbits in a WARREN are supposed the most prolific and profitable animal of any that contributes to human subsistence: these warrens are common in many parts of the kingdom, but more particularly in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, by the three last of which counties the Metropolis is supplied for its almost infinite consumption. The scent of a rabbit is exceedingly faint in comparison with the HARE, FOX, or FALLOW DEER; they, however, by jumping up suddenly, frequently lead hounds a little astray, but cannot stand long before them.
RABBITS propagate so rapidly, and increase so largely, in some parks and farms of a woodland country, that they become, by their numbers, exceedingly injurious, and an occasional reduction is found unavoidably necessary, as a matter of self defence; in which case RABBIT SHOOTING is found a most pleasant diversion. This is enjoyed with the assistance of a brace of spaniels, which being turned into the bushes and hedge-rows, are hardly ever without a rabbit on foot: but it must be a very quick and good shot to prove successful, as their short turns, and sudden twists, render them a very difficult mark to hit. Warreners, in some parts of the kingdom, are called warren farmers, whose premises are of very great extent, and the rent from three to four and five hundred pounds a year: the rabbits in these are so completely private property, that various Acts are still in force for their preservation, and the summary punishment of offenders (before a justice of peace) for any transgression against the statutes in such case made and provided.
RACE HORSE
—Is the kind of horse bred solely for the TURF, and whose blood must be properly authenticated to have descended in a STATE of PURITY from one generation to another, without the least contamination by any accidental or intentional cross whatever. Horses of this description are not entirely selected, as others in general are, by the make, shape, strength, and bone, but in a great degree by the estimation of the blood from which they have descended; and from which circumstance alone is derived their claim to the appellation of BLOOD HORSES, which they properly continue to retain, and are alone entitled to. We are furnished with the most indubitable assurances, that the Arabs are (if possible) more tenacious, precise, and correct, in the pedigree, or genealogical descent, of their superior and unmixed breed, than the sporting breeders of this country; and that the PEDIGREES of each peculiar and distinguished BLOOD has been for CENTURIES transmitted from generation to generation, with the same authenticated accuracy, as is now the regular practice with every racing stud in the kingdom. The emulative impulse of the English sportsman to attain perfection, most probably suggested the idea of introducing the celebrated BLOOD of Arabia, that judicious experimental crosses might be made with the best of our own.
The earliest instances upon record, were during, and subsequent to, the reign of King Charles the Second, who sent abroad his master of the horse to procure a selection of foreign HORSES and MARES for the establishment of a BREEDING STUD; and the mares then brought over (as well as many of their produce) have since been called ROYAL mares. The principal Arabians, Barbs, and Turks, by which the original breed of Britain is supposed in some respects to have been improved, are as follows. The White Turk was the property of Mr. Place, stud-master to Oliver Cromwell when Protector; he was the sire of Wormwood and Commoner. Dodsworth, though foaled in England, was a natural Barb, his dam having been imported when in foal during the reign of Charles the Second, and was called a royal mare. The Lister Turk was brought into England by the Duke of Berwick from the Siege of Buda, in the reign of James the Second, and was the sire of Snake, Brisk, Coneyskins, and Piping Peg. The Byerly Turk was Captain Byerly's charger in Ireland in King William's Wars; he was sire of Sprite, Black-Hearty, Archer, Basto, Grasshopper, the Byerly Gelding, and Jigg. Greyhound was got in Barbary, after which both sire and dam were purchased, and brought to England, by Mr. Marshall. He was the sire of Old Othello, Whitefoot, Osmyn, Rake, Samson, Goliah, Favourite, and Desdemona.