IV

3 9090

III I'll! iiini'i' ir:i II, II :

013 401 209

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at
Tuft? Univcirsity
200 Westboro Road
Norfh Grafton. MA 01536

^11 pr 2^ A a' I 0 ^^i

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THE

HISTORY

AND

DELINEATION OF THE HORSE,

IN ALL HIS VARIETIES.

COJlPUElILKDIlsG THE Al'PROrRIATE USES, MAXAGEMEM', AND TROGRESSIVE IMPRO\-EMENT OF EACH:

WITH A PARTICULAR INVESTIGATION OF THE

CHARACTER OF THE RACE-HORSE,

AND THE

iSusmess of tjje Cutt

ILLUSTRATED BY ANECDOTES AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES

OF

DISTINGUISHED SPORTSMEN.

THE ENGRAVIKCS FROM ORIGINAL PAINTINGS.

WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREEDING, BREAKING, TRAINING, AND THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT

OF

THE HORSE,

BOTH li\ A STATE OF HEALTH AND OF DISEASE.

BY JOHN LAWRENCE,

AUrilOR OF " A PHILOSOPHICAL AND PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HORSES," &c. &c.

Sllbton Press:

l-aiNTEU FOR JAMES CUNDEE, IVY-LANE, PATERNOSTER-HOW

AND JOHN SCOTT, ROSO.MAN STREET, CLERKENWELL,
LONDON.

1809.

9Lt5

p;i

PREFACE.

It is the object of the ensuing Work, to unite with
the utiHty of description, the most finished eleg-ance of
the graphic art. To pourtray the noblest and most beau-
tiful of all animals, in his natural and improved form, in
order to aid the comprehension and judgment of the
reader, by an address to the eye, as well as to the under-
standing. To blend both useful and ornamental decora-
tion with solid instruction, and with such a degree of
amusement, as may result from anecdotes connected with
the subject.

With respect to arrangement, a cursory, yet it is
hoped, satisfactory view, is given of the Horses and
Horsemanship of the earliest ages, and of this country
especially, with an attention to the various species in use,
and a delineation of the origin of the Race Horse, through
the blood of which, the English breed has been generally
ameliorated and elevated to its present state of perfection.
This gradually progressive improvement, it has been en-
deavoured to trace, and place before the eye of the Sports-
man,

IV

PREFACE.

man, by a selection of Horses of the earliest periods which
could he procured, and of the hiohest form and blood,
continuing' them through several periods to the present
day.

The most improved methods of treatment are pointed
out, from the author's own long practical experience, as
to breedings breaking, traimng, and general use ; with
some hints of importance to every owner of a Horse, on
shoeing, and the care necessary to he extended to the ani-
mal in a state of disease: and, above all, on the duties of
humane and compassionate usage, to which animals are
entitled by the same justice we claim for ourselves ; and
In an especial manner, The Horse.

fllS-

HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

SECTION I.

ANTIQUITY OF THE HORSE NATURAL HISTORY CLASSIFICATION SPE-
CULATIONS OV HIS ORIGIN HIS SPURIOUS PROGENY.

X HE transcendeut consequence of the Horse, to man in eveiy possi-
ble stage of human existence, has been the invariable theme of writers
on the subject, from the earliest records of literature. Indeed it is
impossible to conceive any other, out of the vast variety of animals
destined by nature to human use, which can, with the least prospect
of success, dispute with this favourite, the palm of his master's predi-
lection and attachment. Throughout all those revolving ages, which
the magical jjower of letters enable us to call up in review, there
is not one, in which that axiom does not stand self-evident. It is an
attachment of a truly rational nature, and to a most worthy object.
The very idea of being supported at ease, by an auxiliary and bor-
rowed animal power, and of being safely borne from place to place,
at will, Avith a pleasant and gentle motion, or with the rapidity of
lightning, must have impressed the minds of the first discoverers of
the mighty benefits, with ineflPable delight. Such sentiments and
feelings have been incessantly echoed down to us from the primitive
times.

The general beauty, the harmony of proportions, the stateliness
and delicacy, of the superior species of this paragon of brute animals,

could

could not fail of inspiring admiration in the breasts even of savage and
untutored men. Time and the improving faculties of man gradually
developed the various uses and qualifications of the Horse. Endowed
by nature with a portion of intellect, with a generous pliability of dis-
position and fortitude of heart, Avith vast and energetic bodily powers,
he was found capable of bearing a sort of social part in all the plea-
sures and labours of man. He was associated with his master in the
pleasures of the journey and the chace; he shared willingly and witli
ardour, in the dangers of the martial iield ; and with a sturdy prowess,
partook in the humble labours of cultivating the soil for mutual sub- .
sistence. By the most illustrious nations of either ancient or modern
times, the Horse has ever been esteemed of the highest w^orth and
consequence, and treated with a distinction and attendance befitting
his rank as the lirst of domestic animals, approximating in society and
service to hirnian nature. It is among the most savage and debased
tribes of men only, that the breed, condition and comforts of this noble
animal have been neglected.

To ascertain the period, or even to form a probable guess on the first
domestication of the Horse, and determine to what nation of antiquity
the honour of his subjugation appertains, although sometimes attempt-
ed by the curious and inquisitive, has never returned any other Iruit,
than the labour or anmsement of the enquiry. Notwithstanding Ave
are convinced of the fact of his early subjugation, the date of it lies
concealed bej'^ond the impassable horizon of a too remote antiquity. In
line, it is one of those trutlis which stand not in need of proof. It is
sufficient, that the earliest writers, w^hose -works have reached our
times, describe the Horse as having been immemorially in the subjec-
tion and servitude of man.

Natural historians have agreed to designate the Horse by the fol^
loAving GENERIC character.

Front teeth in the upper jaw, six parallel.

In the lower jaw, six somewhat projecting.

Canine teeth, one on each side, in both jaws, remote firom the
rest.

Feet, with undi\ ided hoofs.

The

r .

The Horse genus seems to be susceptible of far less variety of form
than our other domesticated animals, although applicable to a greater
variety of uses. A native of every country in the old world, it forms
matter of curious speculation, that he should be found in no part of
the new, or America, abounding as that immense country does, both
upon the continent and the islands, Avith soils and provision so
well adapted to his support; and so amply as that fact has been
proved by his multitudinous increase in those countries, since his
first introduction by the Spaniards and other Europeans. Is it then,
that there was one, or a limited number of spots upon the earth, on
which the Horse originated, and whence he emigrated, or was selected
to replenish other regions ? There is a very obvious reason which
ought to set all such speculations at rest : there can exist no physi-
cal possibility of reducing them to facts. The non-existence of the
Horse in America, previously to its discovery by the Europeans, has
however been disputed ; but I recollect not by whom, or upon what
ground.

In a division of the equine genus into its original and artificial
varieties, and their appropriations, I shall propose the following con-
cise theory, sufficient, 1 apprehend, for every useful or practical pur-
pose. The Horse, then, may be rationally supposed to have consisted
originally, of two grand divisions or species; the silken-haired, flat, and
fine-boned Courser, and the full-bodied, coarse, and rough-haired steed,
adapted to draught and the more laborious purposes. It is also, in-
deed, probable, that size may have been an original distinction, in
these and all other animals, since we often see so much perfection and
originality of form, in the smaller sizes, as to render it almost impos-
sible to attribute such accident to degeneration.

From the above original species, may fairly be derived, all those
numerous varieties which we at this day witness in different parts of
the world. Soil and climate must indubitably have considerable ef-
fects, through a long course of ages, in producing varieties of form,
colour, character, and properties. The largest animals are generally
found to be the production of the rich lowlands of temperate climates,
abounding in rich and succulent food. The fine-skinned, with elegant

symmetry

8

symmetry, dry and solid bones, large tendons, and the highest degree of
muscular energy, in lact, bearing the general characteristic of wild
animals, are bred under warm and southern skies, upou a dry soil, on
the hills in the desart. Ais we advance towards the uugeiiial northern
climes, we find tlic domestic animals void of external symmetry, coarse
in hide and flesh, and their bones, although of greater bulk, jwrousand
comparatively deficient in substance and weight. We here approach
the native regions of the Cart-horse, and we have just stated the na-
tural characteristic distinctions between him and the Courser. I'here
are doubtless anomalies or variations in this, as v»ell as in most other
cases: the high northern latitudes produce small and active animals,
whilst the dromedary and the elephant are bred in the arid and barren
deserts of the south, soils, it might be supposed, the least adai)ted to the
production and support of animals of such a Aast bulk.

Either because such is the fact, or for the sake of obtaining a con-
venient hypothesis, we make Arabia the native or breeding country of
the Courser, and that part of Europe, formerly denominated the Ne-
therlands, or Low Countries, the aboriginal soil of the large draught
Horse. Without stopping to enquire, whether the tAvo species origin-
ally sprang up, or grew in these particular covmtries, a thing which we
can never ascertain, Ave will pass on to facts Avhich we really know ;
namely, that those two regions are not only peculiarly adapted by
nature, soil, and climate, each to the production of its respective indi-
genous species of the Horse, but that the largest and the most beau-
tiful and highly qualified, have been, from the earliest periods of which
any accounts are extant, procured fi-om thence. From Arabia has
issued the prototype of the best shaped, speediest and most lasting
Racer, and from Belgium, the draught Horse of the greatest bulk and
Aveight in the Avorld.

To advert cursorily to the common hypothesis Avhich Ave have re-
jected, that all Horses are derived from the same single primitive spe-
cies, and that varieties are purely accidental, and the effects of varying
soil and climate; Ave must remark, that such opinion, Avhether simply
true or false, has given rise to the most absurd conjectures. For these,
the otherwise justly celebrated Bullion has distinguished himself be-

voncl

9 ■

yond all other writers, and it is difficult to read with a grave face, his
system of species and variety in the canine genus, with his derivations,
and his metamorphoses ot" one species into another, merely from the
change of air and food ! This acute naturalist, as weW as our British
farmers, had overlooked the possihility, or rather, almost inevitability,
of intercopulations. In truth, allowing full force to the arguments de-
rived from the effect of soil and climate, it is equally ti'ue there are
certain landmarks and boundaries of specific character, in both the
animal and vegetable creation, which nature will never permit to be
passed. No length of time or naturalization upon the marshy soil of
Belgium, it may safely be pronounced, would be sufficient to trans-
form the highbred, silken, and bounding Courser of Arabia, into the
coarse, bluff, and fixed Horse of the former country ; nor would the
sojournment of the latter, during any number of ages, in the south,
have the effect of endoAving him with these peculiar properties of
body, which distinguish the aboriginal southern Horse. Of that
which would probably happen in this case, Ave are enabled to judge,
from the experience of centuries. The least practised eye can distin
guish in our Race Horses, a separate breed from the common one of
the countrj', to Avit, that of the southern Horse, Avith the facility, that
a man, although no draper, can discriminate betAveen linsey-Avoolsey
and silk. The interchange aboAC supposed, Avould doubtless haAC the
effect of increasing the bulk of the Courser, and reducing that of the
Draught Horse; but the natural and unchangeable characteristics of
each, Avould remain unassailable by any other medium than that of
intercopulation, through Avhich, Ave knoAv by experience also, they
may be merged, and in effect annihilated.

Of the spurious progeny of the Horse, the jVIuie is Avell knoAA'n in
all countries, the Jumard, in many upon the European continent.
Tlie former is more usually produced from the Mare and the Ass,
Avhich is found to be far superior in size and spirit to the Mule pro-
ceeding from the opposite cross. Of the Jumard, or INIule resulting
from the conjunction of the Horse Avith the Coav, we knoAV nothing
practically, in this country; but can argue little from such a plan, but

c the

10

the spoilinpT of beef, and a diminution of the poM'ers of labour : we are
indeed uninformed as to the motives for sucli a cross.

The motives for breeding the common Mule are, to obtain a labour-
ing animal of less expence than the Horse. This animal, according
to nature's general rule, of like prochic'ing like, inferior to one parent
and superior to the other, makes a hardy and jjatient drudge, either
for the saddle or draught, well calculated for barren, hilly, and stonv
countries, partaking of the nature of the Ass in hardiness, and being
content with inferior provender, in sure-footedness and longevity ; and
of the nature of the Horse, in size, strength, and speed. The defects
of the Mule, his restiveness and asinine qualities are well known.
The production of mule animals, which possess not the power of pro-
creation, appears to be nature's bar to an extreme confusion of species;
but, as if no general rule could exist without an exception, well attested
instances haA^e been published of Mules which have bred : the circum-
stance has occurred formerly in Hai//i, in the West Indies, and also
lately in North Britain, a particular account of which may be found
in the Farmer's Magazine.

A curious circumstance leads us a little out of our way to speak of
the Ass. It seems to be the only domesticated animal which our salu-
brious climate and fertile soil have not improved. In fact, the Ass has
degenerated with us. He bears the indubitable mark of a southern
origin, and we believe was unknown in this country until the reign of
Queen Elizabeth. Being comparatively of small use here, he has been
generally confined to the very lowest of the people, and, in course, has
had little chance of improvement ; it is, however, not very clear to
judge from those few among us which have been well kept, that the
Ass Avill acquire any great size in Britain, either because the original
breed imported was small, or that our climate is unsuitable. The
Grecian, Maltese, Spanish, and in general the southern Asses, are ani-
mals of large size, some of them exceeding the height of fifteen hands,
and in all respects superior to those produced in this country : never-
tlieless the English Mule is preferred to the Spanish, in the West India
markets, and brings a much greater price; doubtless on account of being
bred from English mares, the stallion ass too, being frequently foreign.

SECTION

11

SECTION II.

DUIEF SURVEY Of THE IJOUSES OF THE ANCIEN'IS
IN VAKIOUS COUNTRIES.

IT may be amusing, at least to many of our readers, to accompany
us in a brief survey of the Horses of various coimtries, ancient and
modern, and of" the ancient and present state of horsemanship, manage-
ment, and treatment of the Horse. The investigation, although it
may serve to demonstrate the vast superiority of modern times, will yet
evince a considerable share of skill in the ancient domitores equorum,
or subduers of the Horse, and also a progressive rate of improvement
through succeeding ages. Such a succession of time has been required,
to bring the animal himself, and the method of managing and arraying
him, for all his various purposes of utility, to its present state of perfec-
tion. ]Mr. Beringer, in his respectable History of Horsemanship, has
preceded us, with learned and commendable diligence of enquiry, in
this branch of our subject.

The sun of science having first arisen in the east, it is natural that we
should derive our earliest information respecting the Horse, from Asia
and Africa. In the ancient history of the Hebrews, we read of the
six hundred war-chariots of Pharoah, king of Eg^jit, and his chosen
horsemen. The yoking of Horses to war-chariots, would seem to in-
dicate considerable maturity of knowledge in the use of Horses, and
that even then, a period so early in our estimation, such knowledge
must have been of considerable antiquity. Nothing can be more
gravely ridiculous, than the waste of learning formerly made in con-
jectures to ascertain, whether the Horse were first ridden, or taught to
go in harness ; the former surely, as the more simple, must be the
more probable; and Avhat can we attain in the question beyond pro-
bability r The high antiquity of hunting on horseback, is evident

c 2 from

12

from Xeno[)hon, who says that Cyrus hunted to exercise himself and
his Horses, and there seems to be an allusion to the chace on horse-
back, of" the Ostrich, in the book of Job.

Since the rich and fertile country of Egypt, distinguished also for
its early maturity in the arts and sciences, abounded so much in
Horses, in the earliest ages, as to make them a great article of com-
merce with Judea and the neighbouring countries, it has been assumed
by the learned, that in Egypt, the Horse w^as first reduced to obedi-
ence, and educated for the service of man ; a not improbable and very
harmless assumption. The Horses of ancient Egypt were celebrated
for war, and from thence chiefly it may be presumed, that king Solo-
mon supplied his chariots and horsemen. Indeed, the breeding of
Horses in these early ages, must have been conducted upon an im-
mense scale, if we may credit the report of Herodotus, that the king of
Babylon maintained a stud of sixteen thousand Mares and eight hun-
dred Stallions.

To content ourselves, as we rationally ought, with so much as may
be obtained from fairly authenticated sources, and to steer clear of
those too common illusions, created by the desire of passing the impe-
netrable barriers of antiquity, we may, with the utmost safet}^ assume,
that the commerce of Horses, and the art of horsemanship, with the other
arts and sciences, originated in Egypt, and proceeding from thence to
the neighbouring nations, were, in the course of ages, and more espe-
cially through the medium of commercial intercourse, communicated
to the whole of the civilized globe. Thus the art of horsemanship,
probably the Horse himself, passed from Egypt to Greece, from
Greece to Italy, and from Italy, were disseminated throughout the
European continent. It should seem, by the authority of Herodotus,
that the use of the Horse was more ancient, at least more general, in
Egypt, than in Arabia, since the Arabian auxiliaries who accom-
panied Xerxes, in his grand expedition against Greece, were mounted,
not on Horses, but Dromedaries : and it is curious that another an-
cient author describes these as having more speed than the swiftest
Horse, but without stoutness or continuance ; a character very differ-
ent, or rather opposite to that of the modern Dromedary, which is cele-
brated.

|C.

O

bratcd, as well as the Horse of the desert, for his great powers of
endurance. But this circumstance of the Arabs, furnishing no cavalry
in those early times, by no means militates against the established
opinion, that Arabia was the original country of the Mountain
Courser, or modern Race Horse.

The Ethiopians or Abyssinians had an early knowlege of horse-
manship, since they furnished a supply of cavalry for the expedition of
Xerxes. The same may be gathered from Herodotus, of various na-
tions of India, who assisted in that prodigious expedition against
Greece, both on horseback and in war-chariots. The Horses of Nu-
midia, Mauritania, and Lybia, and indeed the African Horses gene-
rail}, have been ever celebrated for the highest degree of speed and
vigour, and Plutarch makes use of the proverbial compaiison, Juxta
Lydium currurn currere : To race against a Lybian chariot.

But the Persian were perhaps the most celebrated of any of the
Horses of antiquity, for beauty of form, vigour, spirit, and every rare
quality which distinguishes the southern Horse ; and so greatly did
they excel in speed, that their name, in the ancient language of that
country, it has been said, may be properly rendered into English,
wind-foot. Vegetius, and the latter Roman writers, describe the Per-
sian Horses, as surpassing all others in the pride and gracefulness of
their motions, which were extremely easy and pleasant to the rider.
They were naturally much on their haunches, arching their neck,
until the chin nearly touched the breast : they readily stopped short,
and their travelling pace was nearly that called of old in this country,
rucking, a sort of run between the trot and gallop. They were rather
commended for speed than for stoutness, or continuance through a
long day. The Horses of Parthia, a neighbouring country, were of a
similar description, and so renoAvned were that people for their skill in
the management of the Horse, that the Parthian derived his name
from a Chaldsean word, signifying Iwneman. The Parthian seem" to
have possessed the superiority over the Pei'sian Horses, of extreme
hardiness and ability to travel a long time without food or Avater.
Yet this people, like the Arabians, fought on foot in the expedition of

Xerxes,

u

Xerxes, according to Herodotus, which induces an opinion, that their
eminence at least, in horsemanship, was of a subsequent date.

In Armenia and Media, the Horses Avere of larger size and Avell
adapted to the chariot. The Scythians were famous to a proverb, for
their attachment to the Horse, of which they possessed an excellent
and hardy breed. The Sarmatians, both Asiatic and European, or
the modern Polanders, bred vast numbers of Horses, which they used
both in the chace and in war. Greece, and the surrounding nations,
became eminent for the excellence and numbers of their Horses, in a
progress commensurate with their civilization ; and of those countries,
Cappadocia and Thcssaly, seem to ha^e taken the lead, the Cappado-
cian Horses being celebrated among the ancients, both by poets and
historians, as having a just title to precedence above the whole species;
A\ hilst it was averred of the Thessalian, that they were the noblest
among Horses, as among women, the Lacedemonians were the most
beautiful. Theocritus, the poet, sings ^^ ith raptures of a cypress tree
in a garden, and a Thessalian tlorse drawing a chariot, as the most
graceful and deliglitful objects. Dalmatia had also acquired a valu-
able breed ot Horses, and the original southern breeds, both Asiatic
and African, extended themselves, in the early ages, as far towards the
north as Spain, Portugal, and Italy, the only countries in Europe pro-
bably, where the southern breeds have been long naturalized to any
considerable extent.

Agragas or Agrigentum, a town of ancient Sicily, was a mart for
Horses of high reputation among the Romans. But Calpe, in Spain,
was still of higher repute on the same account. Calpe was situated on
a hill, in the farthest extremity of Spain, bounded by the Streights of
Gibraltar, and opposite Abi/la on the Barbary shore. The Horses there
bred, were held by the ancients to be of the finest and most generous
si)ecies, from which are descended the Gennets of Spain, so highly ce-
lebrated in modern times. From both ancient and modern descrip-
tions of this breed, they were doubtless originally derived from the
opposite coast of Barbary, bearing the most striking characteristics of
the Barb, \\\t\\ a certain degree of variation from change of soil, and

probably

15

probably of admixture with an aboriginal and shorter European breed :
Vegetius, indeed, plainly assigns to them such origin. This rare spe-
cies spread itself over £(^^/"c«, known in modern times, by the names of
Asturia, Gallicia, and Andalusia, where at present the very few Gen-
nets which remain, are to be found. They were denominat d by
Pliny, thieldones, or tellers and measurers of their steps, and described
by him, as they were found in modern times, when in the highest per-
fection, the period of Avhich may probably have borne date with the
Spanish Armada. The Spanish Horses are celelirated by both an-
cients and moderns, foi- the pliancy of their limbs, their free and un-
embarrassed action, and their cadenced pace. Justin, the Roman
historian, speaking of these, and the Lusitanian, or Portuguese Horses,
aifirms, that they were endowed with such extraordinary swiftness, that
they might be said to be born of the winds ; whence the ancient fable,
that the mares of Lusitania were impregnated by the south wind.

It has been already stated, that America originally produced no
Horses, and that those of Europe were of a comparatively coarse and
distinct species. Europe, however, now the centre of civilization, and
mistress of the world, was in those early ages, a wilderness covered with
immense forests, bogs, and morasses, and her thinly inhabited coun-
tries in a state of the grossest barbarism; no accounts can be expected
from such a source, of the cultivation of horsemanship, or any of the
refinements of life.

SEC-

16

SECTION III.

ox A>fcr£xr management, equitation and iurmture.

IT remains to advert to that degree of proficiency at which the
ancients had arrived, in tlie management and array of the Horse.
Herodotus, the most ancient, and probably most deserving of credit
among the ancient historians, describes the Persians so attached to the
Horse, that the art of horsemanship was held among them, as one of
the most necessary branches of education, and taught to their children
at five years of age. In the reign of Cyrus, the breed had been scarce
in Persia, but had been by that prince so extended and improved, and
from his example the Persians had become such lovers of them, that
they were few, and those of the very meanest class, who did not keep
Horses; and it was even rendered ignominious by a decree of the mo-
narch, for a Persian who possessed a Horse, ever to be seen abroad on
foot. It is, however, recorded of that luxurious people by Athengeus
and Xenophon, that unlike their neighbours the Parthians and other
hardy and warlike nations, the Persians caparisoned their Horses with
many soft and thick housings of cloth, more coveting the luxury of set-
ting on horseback at their ease, than the honour of exhibiting them-
selves bold and skilful horsemen.

The ancient allegory of the ceufaurs, imaginary beings, of a human
form in the foreparts, whilst the hinder were those of a horse, arose natu-
rally from the appearance of a skilful horseman, firmly and gracefully
fixed upon his horse, and governing his every motion at will, the animal
and his rider appeared but one and the same body, actuated by the same
vital functions, and informed by one and the same spirit. This mighteven
pass for reality, with secluded and ignorant savages, who had never be-
fore seen a Horse; and we learn from history, that on the first landing

of

17

of the Spaniards, in America, their horsemen were actua ly supposed
by the Mexicans to be centaurs; hence the ancient fable, that mankind
were originally taught the art of horsemanship by those imaginary
beings.

The ancient Avriters have assigned the honour of first mounting the
Horse in Greece, to the Thessalians who inhabited mount Peliou,
and Pliny the elder celebrates Bellerophon, asihe iirst great horse-breaker,
a name Avhich afterwards became common to all who distinguished
themselves in that practice. The earliest purpose to which horses were
applied, it is affirmed, was to hunt the wild bulls, which ravaged the
cornfields, and in this exercise the horsemen Avere armed with javelins.
According to Pliny, Julius Ca?sar, from this ancient chase, first derived
the idea of those bull-fights, with which he annually entertained the
citizens of Rome, whence in all probabilit}^ the practice extended to
Spain, then a Roman province, where and in Portugal, it continues,
in all its primitive features of horror and barbarity, to the present time.
The Greek word hippocentaur, is derived from the custom of encount-
ering bulls on horseback, implying an horseman attacking bulls.

All arts must necessarily be rude and simple in their commence-
ment, and compassed by the easiest means. So it was, as we learn from
histor}^ with the first breakers of horses, who were totally ignorant of
the great convenience of bridles and saddles, important discoveries of
succeeding ages of a far later date. Having, by whatever means, sub-
dued and reconciled the Horse to servitude, those primitive horsemen
taught him also to obey the various sounds of the human voice, guiding,
accelerating his motions, or checking his career, with a wand or switch.
We read of this simple method of riding, even at as late a period as
the Punic wars, practised by the cavalry of Niimidia and Mauritania,
opposed to the Romans, and, according to Silius Italicus, by the Cartha-
ginians themselves. Livy notices the uncouth and ungraceful appear-
ance of the Horses managed in this way, capitibits alte stantibus, their
heads standing on high, their necks straight and stretched out, their
noses turning upwards into the air. Horses, both Arabians and Barbs,
accustomed to this form of going, have been formerly noticed by the
English writers, under the name of star-gazers, and the present writer

18

has seen individuals of them. The custom of riding without bridle or
saddle, subsists to this hour, among the poorest and least enlightened
tribes of Arabia and Barbary.

Although it he dillicult to conceive that a high spirited, and more
particularly, an obstinate Horse, could be governed and controlled in
such a simple way, and even in the tumult and confusion of battle, yet
much must be referred to the savage resolution of the riders, and to
the superior temper and docility of the Arabian and African Horse :
and the fact is confirmed by Ausonius, who not only describes with
precision, this wild method of equitation, but assures us that the Em-
peror Gratian was renowned for the skill and address with which he
practised it. Virgil also speaks of the Numidce infi-aiu, or Numidians
who rode without bridles; and Nemesian describes the use of the rider's
stick, which, by striking the Horse on either side of the face, directed
him the contrary way, and stopped him by a stroke full upon the nose-
band or gristle. Were, however, Samuel Chifney still alive, Avith all
liis fondness for giving the horse his head, he would hardly recommend
this original mode of jockeyship, in a race over the Beacon course.

NotAvithstanding the continuance of this primitive and rough mode
of equitation, amongst many barbarous tribes to so late a period, it is
certain that among the most civilized nations of early antiquity, the
science of managing the Horse, had attained such a state of maturity,
as to rival the utmost skill of modern practice. A full conhmation of
this may be found, both in the Iliad and Odyssey, Avhere Homer intro-
duces the following simile. " Like a skilful horseman riding four
chosen Horses, along a public road to some great city. The whole
town assembles to behold him, and gaze upon him with wonder and ap-
plause, whilst he leaps at pleasure from the back of one horse, to another
and flies along with them." To perform such feats of activity upon
horses in their full career, and to have them trained and dressed to a
sufficient degTce of perfection, must have required the gradual profession-
al labours of centuries. This fully establishes the high antiquity of
horsemanship. However indubitable the fact, it cannot be contemplated
without surprize, by us moderns, that those feats of horsemanship we
so much admire at the Amphitheatre, and the Olympic Pavilion, Avere

displayed

19

displayed in an equal, perhaps superior degree of perfection, some thou-
sand years ago, before the walls of Troy. ' The example too of the
Parthians, and other uncivilized but warlike nations, may be adduced,
who in their attack and retreat, shewed such an admirable dexterity
and command OA'^er their horses, although without the assistance of a
saddle, and if with any, a single rein and bit: in this state, whilst re-
treating at full speed, such was their suppleness of body, and acquired
habit of the balance, that they were able to turn themselves, face the
enemy, and discharge their arrows with the surest aim and effect.
This exquisite horsemanship, with other ancient customs, has descend-
ed to the modern Asiatics and Africans, who are far superior in activity
on horseback, to any thing of Avhich we have examples or indeed ne-
cesssity, in European menage. Of this we are assured by the relations
of various travellers; and EIJi Bey, in his late visit to this country, was
a present and visible proof of the fact.

But even anteriorly to the use of the bridle, we must pre-suppose a
knowledge of some mode of confming the Horse in his place, probably
by thongs or cords fastened around his neck or head. Such an idea
is countenanced by ancient representations of the Horse, particularly
upon Trajan's pillar at Rome. A view of the rope hanging down the
Horse's neck is supposed to have suggested the first hint of traces for
the draught of carriages. " Strabo says, the Africans used cords for
bridles ;" thus, the latter put over the nose and into the mouth, doubtless
preceded the leathern bridle and iron bit.

The ancient Greeks were not only in habitual use of the bridle, but
of spurs, and of a peculiar covering for the legs, which in some degree
answered the intention of modern boots; yet neither they, nor their
imitators, the Romans, appear to have known the use of saddles or
stirrups, of which no account is to be found in any author, until
Zonaras the historian relates the circumstance of the Emperor Con-
stantine, in the year 340, being thrown out of the saddle, and unhorsed
in batte by his brother Cujistantius. On the discovery of this most
useful article of horse-furniture, history affords us nothing but conjec-
tures, equally worthy of repetition with those on the origin of nations.

Nor has tradition or history been more favourable to the memory of

those

20

those individuals, or nations, by whom, or where, the use of the bit and
hridlc were first discovered. That the discovery was of great antiquity
we know; since l)its are described by Xenophon, as consisting of two
species, the smooth and easy bit, Avhich seems to have been of the same
nature and form of our snaffle, and of another more powerful and sharp.
The mouth-piece is sometimes represented with the ornament of a boss
at each end, on which is the figure of a Horse's head, and some of these
bits appear to have branches ; but the curb, from the chain under the
chin, was a much later invention. The mild bit had its mouth-piece, or
cannon, quite smooth, and being equally thick with the present colt, or
mouthing bit, was extremely gentle in its effect, serving merely to
guide the Horse. Armed cavezons over the nose of the Horse, were also
then in use, very severe in their effects. Whips were implements of very
ancient date, and made of leathern thongs, the bristles of swine twisted
together, or of the sine^^'s of beasts.

But tlie Greeks, and the Romans after them, had a very severe
and barbarous practice, which the moderns, even in Europe, haxe too
much imitated, of torturing their Horses with bits, at the severity
of which, humanity shudders, and common sense and utility are de-
graded. These rough bits were denominated by the Romans, Liipi
or Lupatri, wolf-bits, the mouth-j)iece being armed with sharp points of
iron, ranged like teeth in the jaw of that animal. Even their whips
had often iron spikes, or spurs, inserted in the handle-end, resembling in
form the sting in the tail of a Scorpion, whence these unfair instruments
of correction were styled Scorjjiones. Human delinquents were also
chastized with these, by harbarous aiitiquity, hence the threat of
the Jewish king — ' My father chastized you with Avhips, but I will chas-
tize you with scorpions.'— Cruel and unfair scourges have been used in
modern times upon the continent; and even in England, such things may
yet be recollected, as Avell as severe and lacerating bits; abominations
universally rejected, and abhorred by superior rationality and feel-
ing in the present times. The same remark may be made of the detest-
able and useless cruelties practised by the ancient Romans upon resiiif,
and even dull and sluggish Horses, Avhich have been too much followed
by modern nations, and even with infamous additions. The moral

Seneca

21

Seneca could write cooly siimulis facibusque, of" the goads and firebrands,
with which the wretched victims were tortured in order to make them
go forward.

Saddles, it has been observed, were a convenience unknown to both
ancient Greece and Rome. Instead of these, certain cloths or furniture
were thrown across the Horse, on which, fastened with a circingle, the
rider sate. The whole horse furniture or trappings, composed of various
materials, as leather, cloth, or the skins of wild beasts, and for the
use of the rich and great, frequently adorned with gold, and silver, and
jewels, were styled epiphia or ephippia : the Horses also were decked
out on particular occasions, with rich collars and various devices, some-
times hearing helis, AA'hence ]:)robably the phrase of bearing the bell,
and the application of that word to the turf, in the early period of
Horse-racing in this country, when races were styled bell courses. The
ornament of a bell, in both ancient and modern times, may have been
the symbol of victory or superiority.

JS' either stirrups, nor any appendage of similar use, seem to have pre-
ceded the discovery of saddles; and we learn from J///^ywr;'«/t;5, that the
Scvthians, and those nations in the habit of being much on horseback,
were afflicted Avith inflammations, and painful tumours in their legs, oc-
casioned by their dependent posture, and the Avant of a support for the
feet. Galen also aflirras the same of the Roman soldiers. Destitute
of the assistance of the stirrup, the ancients had recourse to various
methods of mounting the Horse, in Avhich they Avere governed by im-
mediate expedience. For example, they Avere sometimes obliged to
vault on horseback, in Avhich exertion soldiers generally used the aid of
their spears. Some taught their Horses to kneel for their accommoda-
tion. Persons of consequence AAcre lifted on horseback, and assisted to
dismount, by their slaves or grooms. Horse-blocks, and steps or ladders,
Avere also in ancient use ; and mounds of stones AA^ere piled on certain
spots of the public road, for the convenience of the traveller, the erec-
tion and care of AAliich, formed a branch of the duty of those officers
Avho superintended the highAvays. This Avant of the aid of the stirrup,
certainly induced the necessity of great activity in the horseman, by

Avhiclt

22

which he was not only enabled to vault upon the Horse, but to leap from
the back of" one horse to another, in battle, on any sudden emergency;
and such exercises formed a material branch of" the military education of
the ancients.

Amongst the Romans, these suppedaiiea, or mounting-places, com-
posed of wood and stone, were abundant upon the high roads ; and Por-
chachiin his Fuiierali Antichi, has preserved the following burlesque in-
scription upon one of them, Avhich Crassus had consecrated to the
memory of his deceased mule :

Dispedib. Saxiim

Ciucia: dorsifera, S; ciniiifera:.

Ut inmltare and desultare commodetur,

Pub. Ciassiis mula; sues Crasscc bene ferenti,

Suppeduneum hoc cum risu pos.

Visit annos XI.

On account of the play upon words, a translation of this incription, were
it easy, would not be very intelligible or interesting to the mere English
reader. The Latin critic will perceive, that Dis pedibus is substituted for
the usual commencement of a sepulchral inscription, Dis manibus, manes,
being ludicrously supposed to signify hands, and to continue the joke,
the contrast of pedibus is made use of; Dis pedibus, to the gods of
feet. In the same style of burlesque, saxum is substituted for sacrum ;
bene ferenti iox the custom&:ry bene merenti ; but in the open cum risu,
the covert style of the res ludicra, is thrown off, the effect diminished,
and the correctness of the author's taste rendered questionable.

In trimming and dressing their Horses, certain of the ancient nations
were very expert, adjusting their manes in all the various modes in
present use. The mane was always turned upon the right side, a
custom invariable since ; but the ancients seem to have mounted in-
differently on either side, more usually indeed preferring the right.
Generally the mane, being cut close on the left, Avas combed smooth,
and flowing on the right side. In some, however, perhaps carriage-
horses, the manes were shorn smooth ; others had their manes housed,
to use the modern phrase, standing erect in an arched form, which

again

23

again were occasionally cut into notches, resembling the battlements of
a tower. The Armeiiiaus and Parthians had the custom of trimming
their Horses double-maned, by cutting the hair awayin the centre, which
occasioned it to divide and fall down, cloathing each side of the neck ;
a fashion not long since in use with coach-horses upon the continent.
The manes were also implicata, platted as at present, and sometimes
decorated with ribbons. The tails were left long and nicely combed.

However the rude and uncivilized nations of antiquity, like the
modern Arabians, might neglect the duties of the stable, it stands upon
record, that they were very punctually and even skilfully performed
by the Greeks and Romans, and more particularly by persons engaged
in the business of the course, as in modern times in this country, the
jockey system ever has, and indeed necessarily will be, the most per-
fect, from the superior value of Race Horses and the degree of attention
shewn them. The Horses of the Greeks and Romans were nicely
and delicately groomed. For this purpose, instead of a curry-comb,
a glove or covering composed of the rough back of a palm-tree, was
fastened upon the hand of the groom, with which he rubbed and
polished the coat of his Horse. To remove the sweat after violent
exercise, they used a piece of wood in the form of a sword, precisely
the modern scraper employed upon the Race Horse when sweated.
Particular attention was paid to the mane, foretop and tail, which Avere
frequently washed and cleaned, oil being afterwards applied, to nourish
the hair, and to render it glossy and shining.

After labour. Horses were washed in rivers or ponds, the most parti-
cular care being bestowed in cleaning their legs and feet, and so just an
idea had the ancients of the consequence of skilful and attentive groom-
ing, that the maxim was generally acceded to, in the days of Columella,
that it was m_ore beneficial to Horses, to be well and thorougly cleaned,
than to be largely fed ; and that without proper dressing, he cannot attain
that perfection of which he is capable : important truths on which
no modern horseman will hesitate a moment. Apuleius farther con-
firms the agreement in essentials, between ancient and modern practice.
He tells us, that perceiving his Horse to groAv faint on a journey, he

dismounted.

24

dismounted, rubbed off the sweat, wiped the Horse's head, took off the
bridle, pulled and stroked his ears, leading him gently along, Avith his
head lianging down and at liberty, expecting by such indulgencies to
induce him to stale : the measures preciselj^ which are put in practice
at this day, in order to refresh a Horse after fatigue, previous to put-
ting him into the stable.

SEC-

25

SECTION IV.

HORSE FOOD OF THE ANCIENTS — FORMING THE PACES POINTS OF A THO-
ROUGH SHAPED HORSE PERSONS OF THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS BIRTH PE-
CULIARLY INTERESTED IN THE HORSE — RIDI NG SCHOO LS ANCIENT

PACES

IN the articles of dry food, bedding and soiling, we are also strictly
the disciples of the ancients. They fed with corn, hay, and those
which, in this country, are deemed artificial grasses. Beside oats,
they alloAved their Horses wheat, but it is probable barley was most in
use, as at this day, in various countries. Together with common grass,
they had clover and trefoil, and also the Medica, or three-leaved grass of
Spain, supposed to have derived its name from media, whence it
originally came. With this really valuable grass, we have adopted
the high opinions of the ancients concerning it, who. held it superior to
all other food, for efficacy in the restoration of poor and weak Horses,
to sudden plumpness and vigour. Columella instructs to mow this grass
for soiling cattle, or for hay, from four to six times in the season. He,
as well as Pliny, equally recommends the ajtisus, but it is scarcely
agreed to what plant that name applied ; and it might not improbably
be the acacia, which in its early and tender state, the modern Italians
mow for the use of their cattle in the spring. Horses are said to be
extremely fond of it. Nanesiaii, Vegetius, and others, recommend bar-
ley and chopped straw as excellent provender, conducive in a high
degree to the Horse's health, cheerfulness and wind, rendering him fit
for the most active services ; barley was sometimes given by the ancients
to their Horses, boiled, A\hen they had but little exercise, as being in
that state more easy of digestion; also steeped in wine for particular
occasions: and we read in Homer, that Andromache presented wheat
steeped in wine, to the chariot-horses oi Hector.

E The

26

The method of" the Parthians, of a very remote antiquity, to form
the |)aces of their Horses, deserves a place, even in modern manage-
ment. Fortunately, perhaps, ignorant of the later barbarism of apj^ly-
ing rollers, chains or ^veights, to the pasterns of Horses, in order to
make them lift their feet up, and to give them a lofty action, the Par-
thians adopted a far more rational plan. When breaking their colts,
thev took them to a spot of level ground, fifty paces long and five
broad, which had been previously laid out in regular rows of chalk
and clay. Over these artificial rough roads, the colts w^ere exercised
daily, and being warned by the blunders they at first made, and admo-
nished by some gentle correction, they, in a short time, acquired the habit
of bending their knees, of lifting up their feet, and of extending their steps,
longer or shorter, according to the nature of the ground, that rare and
excellent qualification in a road Horse, on which such stress is laid by
the truly practical Bracken : and here ought not to be forgotten, a neat
axiom of Berenger, extremely creditable to his professional knowledge —
the perfection of all the paces depends upon the united qualities of exten-
sion and action.

According to the general verdict of the ancient Roman writers, espe-
cially Varro and Virgil, the following modifications of form are requisite
in the composition of a good Horse. — " His head should be small, his
eyes clear and sparkling, his nostrils open and large, his ears placed
near each other, his mane strong and full, his breast ample and broad,
his shoulders flat and sloping backward, his barrel round, compact,
and rather small, his loins broad and strong, his tail full and bushy, his
limbs clean and compact, legs straight and even, knees round and
well knit, hoofs hard and tough, and his veins large, and swelling
throughout his body," In addition to these particulars, the ancients
judged it a good prognostic of a colt, if) when running at large in
the pasture, he was ambitious to outstrip his companions in the race ;
and if a river interposed, that he were the first to take it; also if in
drinking, he plunged his nose deep into the water. Of these notions, the
latter has survived to the present time, and it certainly appears rational,
that the ability to retain the wind, as must be the case wliilst the nostrils
are submerged, is a proof of the strength and soundness of the lungs.

The

27

The most important service among the ancients being the miHtary,
they had various methods of trying the dispositions of" Horses, thereto
pro[)Osed, rejecting such as proved to be of a timid or vicious and ob-
stinate temper. One of their modes of discovering the degree of
courage and temper possessed by a Horse, was to ring a bell, or make
other loud and sudden noises in his ears, observing his behaviour under
such circumstances.

Cast troop Horses, worn out and no longer fit to serve, were, on their
dismission, branded on the jaw, with the figure of a circle or wheel ;
and it was the custom for private owners of Horses, to burn into their
flesh, certain figures or marks, as letters of the alphabet, denoting their
breed and country, or to whom they belonged ; or to stamp them with
the figure of a centaur, or the head of a bull.

As in modern times, sovereign princes and persons of the most illus-
trious birth, have ever been proud of the distinction of being patrons
of the Horse, and of excelling in every branch of that science which
relates to him, so it has been from the earliest antiquity. In Homer
and virgil we find the title of tamers and breakers of Horses, bestowed
on the most renowned chiefs and heroes, as the highest possible com-
mendation : and the art of horsemanship was not regarded as a light
or merely ornamental accomplishment, but one of solid use and indis-
pensable necessity in the great business of Avar. Thus the skill in
managing Horses in the two branches of riding and driving them in
chariots, was a qualification requisite to a warrior of the highest com-
mand. This also descended through all ranks and degrees of those
who fought on horseback, in itself a mark of distinction : and upon all
occasions, the art of riding was judged of such consequence, that
Plutarch declared it to be, * equally reprehensible and absurd in one
who pretended to ride, to be ignorant of the rules of equitation, as it
would be in a person untutored in music, to undertake to play upon
the pipe.' — And Suetonius affirms, that, amongst the Romans, in the
time of Julius Cccsar, himself a most expert and distinguished horseman,
to be ignorant of the science of horsemanship, reflected so much dis-
grace, as to give rise to the proverb neqiie equitare, nee Uterus scire,
neither to be able to ride, nor to read the alphabet.

E 2 Amongst

28

Amongst the Romans, riding-masters were styled equimies; and
Varro says, that a Horse intended for the saddle, was sent to one of
these, in order to form his paces, and to teach him to deal his feet
loftily. These masters, as at present, hoth disciplined Horses and
taught the art of riding; and it appears, that amongst the ancients, the
military manege or artificial paces, Avere in general use, and applied to
saddle Horses of almost every description.

The Grecian masters always set the Horse off to the left, preferring
that side; and worked their Horses in circles, in order to render them
supple and ready to turn to either side. Or worked them in mceanders,
en serpentant, in waving or serpentine lines.

In forming the paces, if the colt had not naturally a proud and lofty
action, like the Spanish or Persian Horses, wooden rollers and weights
were bound to their pastern joints, which gave them the habit of lifting
up their feet. This method also was practised in teaching them the
amhuhitura, or amble, perhaps universally the common travelling pace
of the Romans. The Siievi taught their Horses to amble by the
means of cords tied to their legs, which so controlled their steps, as to
make them move the two legs of the same side at once, the other two
following, which motions constitute the amble.

That natural and most excellent pace the trot, seems to have been
very little prized, or attended to by the ancients, and was indeed by
the Romans held in a sort of contempt or aversion, as is demonstrated
by the terms which served to describe it. A trotting Horse was called
by them, succussaior or shaker, and sometimes cruciator and tormentor,
which last terms, it may be presumed, Avere applied specially to those
which, in these days, we dignify with the expressive appellation oi bone-
setters.

Those nags which, either from nature or art, dealt their steps in
time and measure, with a certain spring and suddenness of motion,
lifting their feet alternately aloft, suspending them momentarily in the
air, and then striking in equal cadence against the ground ; in brief.
Horses having a cadenced pace, were styled metaphorically, by those
scientilic, perhaps pedantic horsemen, guttonarii and colatorii, or droppers
and strainers, irom a somewhat far fetched metaphor, as it may be

thought.

29

thoui^lit, of the filtering of water, distinctly drop by drop, The meta-
phor, however, was of Greek origin. This majestic and lofty pace
was also known among the Romans, by the term triimdiiim, which
signifies a striking against the ground, and to which the modern French
term j^/V/z/er applies, literally signifies to strut and swagger, which terms,
indeed, Avell describe the proud and lofty gait of the Horses here in-
tended. The trepigner of the French school, according to Berengcr,
is derived from the latin word tripudium, but it is always used in a de-
grading sense, being expressive of a low, indistinct and racking motion
of the legs, and as a contrast to the measured, graceful and lofty action
displayed in the piaffer, or cadenced pace.

The cadenced pace naturally introduces the voluptuous custom of
the Syharitides of Calabria, a people proverbial for their excess of deli-
cacy and of refinement. They are recorded to have taught their troop
Horses to dance in exact unison with the sound of musical instru-
ments ; and this luxurious custom prevailed to so late a period, that
there are actually extant, in the Italian language, books of notes for
Horse music. To compass this measure of discipline, may, indeed,
have been easier than appears at first sight, since the composer may
have set to music the cadence of steps acquired by the Florses, the
music afterwards accompanying their motions. It is not improbable,
however, that Horses which had an ear, might in the course of time
and practice, acquire the habit of following the music.

That pleasant and easy pace the canter, was Avell known, and indeed
in common use with the ancient Romans on their journies; and it is
understood, that their cantlierii, or saddle geldings, were generally dis-
ciplined to the short gallop, or canter. The etymology of this word,
so often the case with etymologies, is extremelj- vague, since the Greek
original denotes a Pack-horse, but they being always geldings, the
Romans afterwards called all their geldings cantlierii. Berenger inclines
to deriA^e our canter, from the latin cantherius, and very rationally re-
marks on Dr. Johnson's confused etymology and definition, which he
says, ' must certainly puzzle all who are horsemen, and all who are
not.' The Doctor, in his dictionarj^ styles the canter a Canterbury

gallop,

30

yjilloi), or the Jitird gall()|) of an ambling Horse, probably derived Irom
tlie monks riding to Canterbury on eaay ambling Horses!

Their different classes of Horses were distinguished by the following
denominations: To/?//«m and Grrtf/w/vV, managed Horses or chargers.
Celercs, swift, or Race Horses. Venculi, Imnters. Cantherii, (probably)
well bred hacks, cantering hacks, or as we should say, park horses, but
always geldings, as their name implies. Itinerarii, Horses used for tra-
vel, in modern terms, common road hacks. Sarcinarii, such as carried
burdens, or pack-horses, Manni, nags with hogged manes. Amhula-
Uirarii, amblers or padders.

The ancient horsemen were, on some occasions, bound to the girths
which fastened the clothes on which they sat, a practice still more
dangerous than the use of the modern lock-saddle, now it may be
presumed generally laid aside and forgotten. The Roman poet de-
scribes the fearful and perilous situation of the fallen horseman,

Vinctis connexa ad ciiigula membris.

his limbs fast bound to the girths !

Wooden Horses were made use of in the schools, as has been the
custom within our memory. With the help of these, the Roman
youth were taught to vault on horseback, and from one Horse to another,
at first without arms, but on their becoming perfect in the practice,
completely armed.

The salutations of the Romans on horseback, were, according to
Apulcius and Seneca, as folloAvs ; and a nearly similar etiquette prevails
at present, in various parts of the world. An inferior on horseback,
meeting a person of high and distinguished rank, the form of paying
his respects, was by dismounting from his Horse, uncovering his head,
and with his Horse in hand, retiring on one side of the road. Even
were he riding at speed, custom required him to stop and alight, and
changing his wand or switch from the right to the left hand, to advance
and make his salutation with the right.

SEC-

31

SECTION V.

GAMES AND GYMNASTIC EXERCISES or THE ANCIENTS NAMES AND PE-
DIGREES THE SPLENDOR AND PERILS OK THE ANCIENT COURSE

OLVMPIA.

TO ))roceed to the games of the ancients, in which the Horse was
concerned, it will be perceived that we derived also from them the
j)rincij)le of improvement, and that our Newmarket is, althoiii,di on a
diminished scale, the Olympia of ancient Greece. Modern racing in-
stitutions are confined simply to the purposes of improvement in the
national breed of Horses, and of amusement and private profit in the
practice of Avagering, or betting on the events of the race. The Olym-
pian games of the ancients, it will be seen, had far more extensive and
more important objects.

The grand and j)aramount object of these, was to kindle and pre-
serve a spirit of martial emulation in the breast of the youth, to foster
it by honors and rewards to the victors, and by trials of strength,
skill, courage and activity, to prove their aptitude and readiness for
war, in those days, the most important business of life. Games at
stated periods, with this intent, have probably originated in most war-
like nations. But Greece sat an example to all other countries, by the
national splendor and magnificence, with which games were annually
celebrated in her various cities ; the Olympian, however, eclipsing all
the rest, being, in the swelling language of Pindar, as much superior
as water is among the elements, or gold in comparison with other
metals. Of such high national consequence were these institutions
deemed by the ancient pliilosophical politicians, that their commence-
ment formed the regular aera from which the Grecian chronology took
its date; and according to the universal niaxims of ancient policy, in order

to

32

to invest these institutions with the deepest and most extensive influence
on tlie human mintl, they were stamped with the seal of religious su-
f)erstition, and consecrated as solemn and awful acts of devotion to
different deities. The Objmpkin games were devoted to Jupiter, those
of Pijthia to Jpollo.

These periodical exercises fully answered the intentions of the sages
who planned tlu'ui, and \\ho seem well to have understood how to fur-
nish motives for human action, in their own time; different ones being
probably required for different nations and periods. They called forth
the utmost energies of body and mind among the Grecian youth, and
filled their martial ranks with heroes, both able to defend and prepared
to die for their country. The actors on these scenes were, during
the purest ages, men of the most exalted rank in society, or citizens of
the most virtuous and independent character ; but as luxury and cor-
ruption advanced, mercenaries were introduced, the primitive and
patriotic motives had ceased, and the only incentives to the annual
celebration of the games, were luxurious and selfish gratification.

The gymnastic, or athletic exercises of men who contended naked,
and on foot, at the Olympic games, long preceded the Horse or chariot
races, the former of which dates from the twenty-third, the latter from
the twenty-fourth Olympiad. — This is natural, and in accordance with
the gradual advance of riches and civilization. History teaches us
that Horses were scarce in Greece, during the early ages, and the means
insufficient, of breeding and maintaining them in any considerable
numbers, Avhence they were ill furnished with cavalry in their wars.
To increase and improve the breed, were doubtless the original motives
for the introduction of horse-races at the Olympic games.

It is curious to trace in the records of these early ages, the fundamen-
tal principles of our present racing system. The Greeks, situated in
the vicinity of those countries which produce the Courser, or Horse
formed for speed, selected, with the utmost care, those of the highest
repute and finest form, for the purpose of breeding and replenishing'
their own country. That they entertained very just ideas of the shape
in a Horse most conducive to speed, is sufficiently evinced by the
metaphorical application of the word kele, which, according to Suidas,

served

33

served to denote both fast sailing vessels and swift Horses. Of the pe-
digrees also of their Horses, the ancients were as tenacious, and as
scrupulous, as of those of their own fanii4ies ; and in order to the preven-
tion of frauds, either the initial letters of the proprietor of the stud,
or the figures of animals were branded upon the flesh of the Horse, or
some similar device was used, a practice which still subsists in Arabia,
and all the breeding countries of the East. Names for the Horses were
a matter of course, or rather a necessary appendage to this system ; and
we find in Homer, that tAvo of the Horses of Achilles were named
Xanlhus and Baliiis. The famous Mare, the property of Phidolas the
Corinthian, which won at the Olympic games without her rider, ran
in the name of Aura. Others were called Arion, Phcenix, Corviis ; and
amongst both the Greeks and the Romans, the same variety of denomi-
nation was in use, as in our modern racing studs, the names being
oflen expressive of the colour, qualities or country of the Horse; thus,
among the ancient Roman names, we observe Victor, Mgyptus, Volucer,
Niger, Siqjerhus.

But the ancients had more extensive views in cultivating and im-
proving the breed of the Courser or Race Horse, than subsist in
modern times. Amongst them, this species of the Horse was exclusively
made use of in Avar, as well to draAV their chariots as to mount their
horsemen; and Racers of the highest blood and greatest speed Avere
invariably chosen by the most distinguished warriors, and for enter-
prizes of the greatest danger, or Avhich required the greatest exertions.
So much, hoAvever, must be said, Avith the folloAving reserve: neither
the Greeks nor the Romans could boast of the pure and unmixed
blood of the Arabian and Lybian, or Barbary Horse, the original
Racer; since those people selected Horses from all the surrounding coun-
tries, including Egypt, Syria, and others, Avhich produced a larger, and
probably a mixed species; yet the breed of ancient Greece was, evi-
dently by the description, such as Ave should, at this day, style blood-
horses, and such is the modern produce of their country.

The ability of the Blood, or Southern Horse, to carry high AAcights,
is strongly exemplified in the practice of the ancients, Avho rode to Av^ar
in heavy armour, and amongst some nations of Avhom, it Avas the cus-

F tonl

34

torn to cover their Horses likewise with armour. Mares were generally
preferred to horses or geldings, both for war and the course. The
Scythians, from whom probably the modern Cossacks have descend-
ed, made choice of marcs in their predatory expeditions, according
to Strabo, as being able to retain their urine longer than Horses, or to
eject it with greater facility, whilst in the most rapid motion ; also as
more quiet and tractable, and less likely to neigh and thereby occasion
alarm. Both JEWan and Pliny suppose mares in general swifter than
Horses, and thence fitter for the Olympic course; and Virgil particu-
larly celebrates the mares of Epirus. Modern exjjerience, however,
has proved it one of those numerous popular errors, by which even the
most philosophical of the ancients suffered themselves to be deluded :
nevertheless this idea of the superior consequence of the female, when
carried into the breeding studs, possessed a real portion of truth and
consequence, not only as it relates to the purity of species, but to the
excellence and worth of the progeny. The superiority of the mule,
from the female of the nobler animal, is often adduced as a proof of this
position.

The races of the ancients, were not only superior to those of modern
days in national consequence, and in the magnificence and splendor of
their celebration, but also in the skill required of the jockeys, and in
the obvious dangers incurred. The ancient jockeys, or rather noble
competitors, for they consisted of the first men of their country, as has
been said, rode without either saddle or stirrups; and exclusive of
the probability that crossing and jostling were not forbidden, there seems
to have been circumstances of difficulty in the course, under which a
degree of dexterity in the riders, and docility in the Horses, totally un-
known to the modern times, must have been absolutely necessary.
But the chariot races, for which no motive seems to exist in modern
times, since those vehicles have been long disused in war, must have
been attended with constant, imminent danger, and repeated break-
neck accidents. Contrary to modern usage, which clears the course of
every possible danger or embarrassment, that of the ancients was be-
set with artificial difficulties, in order to prove the skill of the riders
or drivers, and to enhance the honor of victory. The sharp turns

which

35

which the chariots were necessitated to make, driving to an inch at full
speed, put the skill of the drivers, and the docility and suppleness of the
Horses, to tiie severest test; and fatal accidents, to Hfe and hmhs of both
men and Horses, too often happened from the rush together at the turn,
and contention for the nearest approach to the pillar, against which
the chariot of a too adventurous or intemperate driver, was some-
times dashed to pieces !

The ground on which both Horse and chariot races were exhibited',
was denominated by the Greeks Hippodrome, or the Horse-course.
That of Olympia, was circular, surrounded by a wall, upon the bank
of the river Alpheus; the circuit, in one part, included a moderate hill,
and the whole space was adorned with temples and various ornamental
structures. This stadium, or ground, was divided into two parts, the
first of which, resembling the prow, or head of a ship, and styled the
harrier, contained stands for the Horses and chariots, where they were
matched and prepared for the course. In the inner partition was the
course over which the Horses ran, and the ground Avas considerably
irregular and uneven.

The distance ran by the Horses, appears to have been upwards of
four miles to a heat, which was either completed by their running seve-
ral times round the course, or by the goal being placed at two miles
distance ; since the course is not described as circular, but in a straight
line, at the extremity of which stood a pillar, as a meta or goal ; around
this pillar the candidates on horseback or in chariots, were obliged to
turn, running back again to the point from which they had started.
The driver or rider Avho could make the sharpest turn, or, in the
language of the turf, keep the inner ground, approaching the nearest
possible to the pillar, without being wrecked upon it, consequently lost
the least space and time. To this perilous turn Horace alludes, in his
Metaque fervidis evitata rotis. But their trials of skill and superadded
risks did not end here, for beyond the pillar, another presented itself:
this was the terrific, scare-crow figure of the deity Taraxipptis, the
alarmer of Horses, placed full in sight of the racers as they passed;,
and not seldom it happened, that some of them, forgetful or imperfectly
trained, took fright in spite of the utmost skill and power of their

F 2. jockies,

36

jockies, and breaking away, ran foul of every thing in their reach,
to the imminent risk of destruction to themselves, and all around.
Doubtless the sage intent of this branch of Horse-religion, the fear of
the divine Taraxippus, -was as a test or proof of the courage and steadi-
ness of the Horses, or more properly a check upon the candidates, who
could with safety, bring none to th3 post, but such as were susceptible
of that high degree of discipline, as not to be aftrighted by the most
terrific sights, or suffer their obedience to be shaken under the most
trying circumstances : and this principle was, as far as practicable, in-
variably adhered to in the choice of Horses for war.

As to the croud of spectators at these games, they Avere dispersed
on all sides, as at a modern race, being prevented from breaking in
upon the racers, by the course being roped all round with a large and
substantial rope or cable. Stands or stations were erected, as at pre-
sent, upon the most convenient part of the ground, for the judges, and
for distinguished persons.

Nearly in the centre of the prow, or barrier, stood an altar, on which
were placed a brazen eagle with extended wings, sacred to Jupiter, the
patron god of the Olympic games; and also a dolphin of brass, dedicated
to Neptune, the acknowledged creator of the Horse. By a mechani-
cal contrivance, and being put in motion by the president or regulator
of the games, the eagle Avould suddenly ascend to such an altitude in
the air, as to be a visible signal to all the spectators; at the same instant
the dolphin vanished, sinking under the earth. This was the signal for
the Horses and chariots to advance to the post, whence they were
started by sound of trumpet.

Little more of the arrangements of these races has come down to us,
than that the Horses were divided into two classes of young and full-
aged, and that there were occasionally separate prizes for Horses and
mares. There was a race for mares styled Calpe, in which historians
gravely tell us, that it was the custom for the jockies, as they approached
the ending post, to leap from the backs of the mares, and, keeping the
bridle in hand, to run in with them! No great proof surely, of
the speed of the ancient racers. The riders styled anabata always rode
Horses. Whether the ancients understood the effect of weight upon

the

37

the Race Horse, is not ascertained, but the riders were obhged to un-
dergo a thirty days' preparation, and were subjected to certain laws
and conditions appointed by the judges. The victors in these races,
and even the Horses, were crowned amidst the most enthusiastic shouts
and plaudits of the multitude; and upon the former, considerable re-
wards and honorable privileges were conferred.

The Romans, who were indebted to Greece for most of the arts and
sciences, whether useful or refined, in which at length, by the force of
their natural genius and their industry, they were able to rival their pre-
ceptors, also imported from that country their games, their amusements
and their fashions. Upon the model of the Olympic games, arose the
Roman Certamina Equestria, or Horse and chariot races of the Circus;
for although those conquerors did not adopt the use of chariots in war,
they preferred them in their games to the race of single Horses. Even
as early as the reign of Romulus, an order of equites, or iiorsemen, was
instituted, in imitation of that already established at Athens and Sparta.
The vicAv of the Roman monarch in founding this order of knights,
was both to encourage the breed of Horses and the art of horsemanship,
by imposing an obligation upon his wealthy subjects, who alone were
equal to the expence of importing and propagating these costly ani-
mals. Here also, according to the universal fashion of antiquity, the
games of the Circus were implicated with religion, and performed as
sacred rites, dedicated to certain deities whose attributes were thereby
typefied.

The Race Horse at Rome, with other Saddle Horses, was called celer,
singularis and soUtarius, swift, single-horse, or solitary, from being alone
and not with other Horses, as when j'oked or harnessed to the chariot.
In the latter ages of the Romans, and after the discovery of saddles, he
was styled sellarius, as carrying a saddle. On the bare backs of these,
the jockies frequently not only rode their races, but at the same time per-
formed feats of agility, whilst at full speed, leaping from one Horse to
another, picking up from the ground small coin, standing upright, or
lying along the Horse's back. The riders trained to these performances
were known by the distinguishing title of desultores or leapers. Such a
species of racing certainly doe^ not impress us with the idea of that degree

of

38

of speed witnessed on the modern course, and probably amongst the
ancients, haci a raihtary, rather than any other view.

On the foundation of the Eastern empire, the races or ports of the
Circus were estabhshed at Constantinople, on a scale of the highest magr
nificence, by Constantine the Great, who there built the famous HipjJOr-
dro)ne,the ruins of which are still extant and visible. That line of princes,
like the royal family of Stuart, in this country, had a strong
attachment to Horses and the course, shewing a regular and unceasing
attention to their breeding and improvement. The Royal agents wese
indefatigable in their researches throughout the neighbouring countries,,
for the most esteemed and valuable breed of Horses, which were then
chiefly the Cappadocian, Phrygian and Spanish; the two former, such
as are now known as Turkish and Syrian breeds. The superior speed,
and excellence of the Horses of the desert, of the Arabian and mountain
Barbs, seems to have been a modern discovery, and made in this coun-
try, which has in consequence produced Horses without parallel for speed
and endurance, in any part of the world, or in any age. In the age of Con-
stantine, two particular breeds, or varieties, were in such super-eminent
estimation,, as to be monopolized by the emperors, nor could they be ob-
tained from the gi-ex dominicus, or royal stud, but with express licence.
These breeds were known by the names, Palmatian and Hermogenian;_
the former so called from Palmatius, a celebrated Cappadocian breeder,
whose talents in that Avay have immortalized his name. A cross with,
these Horses and Phrygian mares, was at that period supposed to pro?
duce the best racing stock.

•r-^T-r-a-^rrt—.

SEC-

S9

SECTION- vr.

HUMANITY TO HORSES — MILITARY MENAGE EXERCISES AND GAMES OF THE

ANCIENT ROMANS TOU RNAMENTS OF THE MIDDLE AGES — SIDE-SADDLES

—PARTIALITY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

BUT the humanity of the eastern emjDerors to their Horses, which
ought by no means to be forgotten, since history has so httle else to re-
cord in their favor, was as signal and prominent as their interested
attachment. Constantine and his successors, from time to time, issued
edicts, not only to regulate the prices of Horses, but to enforce the mild
and proper treatment of them, throughout the empire, thereby instruct-
ing their subjects in a most important branch of moral justice. It was
made penal by the law, to strike the Horse with a club or Unfair
stick, their owners being enjoined to correct Horses with a wand or rod :
and such were the grateful feelings of the emperors towards those old
racers, which had by their labours in the circus, merited well of the pub-
lic, that they maintained those faithful servants at their ease, during the
remainder of their lives, as pensioners of the public treasury.

Those worthy pensioners were styled emeriti, or deservedly discharged,
and this laudable custom had before prevailed at Rome. A custom,
indeed, which ought to have been more feelingly observed in our own
country, where even in these times of superior light and humanity, we
too often see the aged and crippled steed, Avorn out even in the service of
opulence, consigned, for the poor remainder of his life, to the most pain-
ful and laborious drudgery, and that in consideration of the most paltry
and contemptible price. Nor is this churlish barbarity conlined to Horses
of inferior description. It is too Avell known, that Racers of the highest
celebrity, and which had earned thousands for their proprietors, have,
on their decline in their latter days, been sold fi^om that state of luxury
and high keep, to which they had been accustomed through life, to the

moit

40

most cruel and exhausting labours. Shaftoe's Squirrel, it is said, was rtm
to death in a fish-cart, on the Western road; and the writer of this saw
poor old blind Bos])horus knocked down at the hammer, for four guineas,
to work in a mill. Several late instances of this kind might be given.

In justice, however, to the character of the present time, instances in
direct opposition to the above, may be produced, and they are brought
forward with the sincerest pleasure. The late philanthropic Mr. Howard
extended his humane attentions to the brute creation, and provided
comfortably for the latter days of those Horses, which had spent their
youth and strength in his service : such also is the generous and feeling
practice of an honorable member of the late Parliament, whose resi-
dence is in Shropshire, and Avhose park is ornamented with the pleasing
spectacle of a number of aged animals, enjoying the due reward of a
laborious life, in peace, plenty and comfort. In company with the above,
I cannnot deny myself the satisfaction of introducing the following
anecdote of General Phipps, brother of the Earl of Mulgrave, since I
have a knowledge of the fact on the best authority. The general had a
favorite mare, which had carried him safely, cheerfully, and to his
highest satisfaction, for some years. A year or two since, this old servant
began to faulter, to drop from the weakness of her joints, and to manifest
the gradual approach of age and decrepitude. The General mounted
her one day more, and in a short tour about town, took an affectionate
leave of his old favorite, sending a groom with her, the next day, to take
herbyeasyjournies to Mulgrave, in Yorkshire, a distance oftwo hundred
and fifty miles, where is provided a comfortable asylum for the remainder
of her life. General Phipps is one of the best Horse-masters in the
world, and has well earned that title which ranks so high in the wisdom
of the Hebrews—' a merciful man to his beast.' One more characteris-
tic trait of British humanity. On the late motion in Parliament, for
thanks to the conquerors of Monte Video, General Phipps was solicitous
to remind the House, that although the place was taken by storm in the
morning ; by twelve o'clock the same forenoon, the shops were opened,
and the inhabitants regularly going about their business, as though
nothing extraordinary had occurred. An illustrious instance of national
humanity, and of modern mitigation of the horrors of war, which deserves

an

41

an immortal record, far beyond the most sjilendid conquest. And I
most willingly conjoin these anecdotes of the honorable General, to have
the opportunity of inculcating, that mercy is grounded on the same
principle, and is the same feeling, whether it be exerted in favour of
man or beast.

The military exercises on horse back, of the Romans, consisted of
those of the palus, or pillar; the quintana, so denominated from Quititus
their inventor, and of the Zmc??« trojanus, or Trojan game, in which
originated t\\Q jousts, carousels, lilts or tournaments of the middle ages.

The palus stood about six feet from the ground, as an object of attack
for the young horsemen, who assaulted it in the various prescribed
military modes and attitudes, endeavouring so to preserve their
guard, that whilst they made their strokes, no part of their body might
be left uncovered or exposed. They also ran at the pillar with lances,
and threw javelins or darts, at particular parts, in order to acquire an
assured and habitual aim.

The quintana was the body of a tree, or a post purposely fixed in the
ground, against which the young soldiers pushed with their lances or
pikes, thereby acquiring a facility in the use of their weapons and
increasing the muscular strength of their arms. This game subsisted
in modern times, until superseded by the general use of fire-arms, being
styled in the French academies qiiintaine.

From the above exercises of the ancients, were derived the principles
and etiquette of the modern combats, of one or more horsemen against
an equal number, and of those performances by dififerent divisions of
horsemen, in which, by describing certain figures and evolutions, they
composed the dance styled by the Italians la jola, and by the French
la foide.

The ludus trojanus, trojamentum, or Trojan game, appears to haA^e
been properly a sham fight between companies of young men, of
illustrious birth and considerable military rank. A beautiful descrip-
tion of the celebration of this game, is to be found in Virgil, in whose
poetic brain probably the idea originated.

So winds delusive in a thousand ways,
Pcrplext and intricate the Cretan maze ;

G Round,

42

Round, within round, the blind maeanders run,

Untiac'd and dark, and end where they begun.

The skilful youths in sport ahernate ply

The siiifiing course, by turns they figlit and fly.

As dolphins gambol in the watery wa3',

And bounding o'er the tides in wanton circles play.

These sports Ascanius when in mighty length

He rais'd proud Alba, glorying in her strength,

Tauglit the first fathers of the Latian name,

As now hesolemniz'd the noble game:

From their successive Alban offspring come.

These ancient plays to grace imperial Rome.

Who owns her Trojan band, and game of Troy,

DerivM through ages from -the princely boy.

Pitt's virgil.

But the funereal games of the ancients, in which chariot races were
exhibited, are of the highest antiquity, and celebrated by Homer.
The Romans in after ages, were accustomed to have led Horses at
their funerals, and in other public processions, a custom still retained by
most modern nations; and the decursioiies equestres, or equestrian ex-
ercises, in which the young Romans were used to display their skill
and address in horsemanship, before the ladies, doubtless gave birth to
those tournaments which became so universally prevalent during the
chivalrous ages. Thus we find almost every possible use and applica-
tion of the Horse, whether to business or pleasure, seem to have been
anticipated by the ancients ; proving the earliest sense and conviction
of his immense importance to man.

That the French first adopted the tournament, appears probable from
the concurrent testimony of historians. The word, together with its
correlative, carotisel, are of Gallic extraction. As early as the year 840,
on the occasion of an interview at Strasburg, between Charles the
Bald and his brother Lewis of German}^ the courtiers of each tilted on
horseback, in order to display their proficiency and emulation in the
military equestrian exercises. Three centuries afterwards, tournaments
were instituted at Constantinople, expressly upon the French model.

Tournaments were solemnized in England in the year 1140, during

the

■J ■»

a I

5 .

1

ll'

1 .1 ii

'^^

ll

'll'll'l ''1

II '''

43

the Anglo-Saxon reign of Stephen, and in the succeeding reigns be-
came fashionable at the EngUsh court. At this period also, side-saddles
were first introduced into this country by the queen, a daughter of the
King of Bohemia, according to the Warwick antiquities. Previously it
seems the English, as well as the women of Greece and other countries,
were accustomed to ride astride in the male style, a custom, indeed,
never entirely abandoned upon the continent, and if compatible with
decorum, assuredly most consistent with safety in female equitation.

In succeeding reigns, these splendid exhibitions became the standing
and regular diversions of the English court, and had a proportionate
influence on the manners of the citizens of London, giving them an
equestrian and warlike turn. Various parts of the metropolis were
appropriated to the celebration of these games, and thence derived names
which are retained to the present period, when most of their inhabitants
are totally ignorant why such were imposed. For example, the Tilt
Yard, near St. James's Park: Knight-rider and Giltspur streets; the one
so denominated from the knights passing through that street, in their
way to Smithfield or Cheapside, where the tournaments were held, and
the other, from the splendid gilt spurs there sold. These exhibitions
were also given in Barbican and Bridewell.

All Europe, during several centuries, was infected almost to a de-
gree of insanity, with the desire of witnessing the exhibition of the
tournament; and the Gothic nations even celebrated u[X)n the ice, games
which were inspired by their perpetual and darling passion for horse-
manship and war. The excess, however, of this folly proved at length
its cure ; as from the frequent effectual use of Aveapons, many lives
were tilted away, and amongst those of inferior note, that of King
Henry II. of France, who perished in that celebrated tournament held
at Chalons, distinguished in history as the little war of Chalons, from the
considerable number of knights killed on both sides. The frequent
risk and waste of life, in these contentions, carried bej^ond the bounds of
common sense; the change that was gradually taking place in the system
and weapons of war ; and lastly, the inimitably humourous and forceful
satire of Cervantes, combined to the final disuse of tournaments, and the

G 2 extinction

44

extinction of the chivalrous spirit. The age of chivalry was now no
more ! — and a writer, without any pretensions to the eloquence and
passion of Burke, has said, with as much simplicity as truth, ' that, un-
less in particular cases, men may, (now) be in love without fighting,
and light without being in love : and that such is the opinion of ouv
modern ladies.'

The military chariots of the ancients—

I'ractis'd alike to turn, to sto]), lo chace.
To dare the shock, or urge the rapid race.

evince a very high and scientific degree of menage in their Horses.
According to Xenophon, a practical and professional Avriter, * they so
bitted their Horses, that their necks might be pliable and obedient to
the reins, teaching them to move by such measured steps, that the whole
equipage, when two, four, or six were yoked together, might move as
one body, Avithout confusion. They were trained and accustomed to
run with their utmost velocity in harness, and inured to fearlessness and
hardiness, either for making an attack with an impetuous shock, or
recovering in turn, such a shock with firmness. These Horses were
taught to execute the various evolutions of wheeling with docility,
activity and speed ; to run over all kinds of ground ; to stretch up the
steepest ascents, and rush down the sharpest declivities; in fine, they
were prepared for all the probable and trying occasions of actual service.'
The chariots formed a regular and established part of the military
force of the ancient inhabitants of this country, on the invasion of
Julius Ccesar ; and as in all probability they learned the use of chariots
from the eastern nations, with whom the}^ had commercial intercourse,
it seems equally probable that the southern Horse made his way into
this country with the chariot, at a very early period.

It remains to notice the partiality of the ancients for white Horses,
a sentiment which has descended to modern times. Herodotus writes,
that the inhabitants of Cilicia paid an annual tribute of three hundred
and sixty white Horses to Darius, king of Persia: and in the expedi-
tion

45

tion of Xerxes, the chariot of Jupiter was drawn by eight white
Nysfean Horses. The triumphal car of Roiniilus was drawn by tour
white Horses, the colour universally, chosen for grand and solemn
occasions. Livy estimates Horses of this colour among the usual
insignia of royalty, equally with the purple robes, armed guards, and
the diadem: it was also consecrated to the service of religion, and
the Romans supposed that white oxen were the most acceptable
sacrifice to the gods. From Tacitus, we learn, that the ancient
Germans dedicated certain white Horses to the service of their gods,
which Horses were exempt from all other labour but that of draw-
ing the sacred chariots, on occasions of religious solemnization.

In the succeeding and Christian ages, both the nionarchs and the
popes shcAved the same partiality for the white Horse. In the grand
cavalcade which took place in London, on the occasion of the royal
prisoner, John of France, passing from Southwark, where he landed ;
in order to do the highest honour to the captive king, he was mounted
upon a white Horse of distinguished size and beauty, whilst his con-
queror, the Black Prince, rode by his side upon a black palfrey. The
popes, having assumed this imperial colour in the Horse, did not fail
to take the opportunity of granting indulgencies for its use, to bishops
and princes; and the King of Naples, previously to the late revolu-
tions, actually paid the annual tribute of a white Horse to the pope,
by way of acknowledgment, that he held his kingdom as a fief of
the Holy See. The King of Yemen, in Arabia, is mounted upon a
white Horse, on all public processions. Every Englishman has either
seen, or heard, of ' the good old white Horse of Hanover,' and of the
cream-coloured Horses in his Majesty's stables, which form sets for
the state-coaches, and from which chargers are taken for great occa-
sions. From the veneration in Avhich these white Horses had been
held, it is probable, that the Saxon and German Princes bore that
emblem upon their standards. A white Horse was the ensign of
Hengist and Horsa ; and among their illustrious descendants, the
Dukes of Brunswick, and Electors of Hanover, sovereigns of this
country, bear on their shields, a white Horse at full speed, without

saddi(3

46

saddle or bridle, with the motto—wee aspera terreni. In the opinion
of Wise, in his Observations on the Vale of White Horse in Berk-
shire, " the Horse on the Brunswick shield drew its origin from the
sacred white Horses of the ancient Germans, as described by
Tacitus,

SEC-

47

SECTION. VII.

THE MODERN BREEDS, OR VARIETIES OF THE HORSE RUSSIAN Alf D TARTAR

HORSES WONDERFUL PERFORMANCES — WILD HERDS TARTAR METHOD

OF RIDING— VETERINARY IMPROVEMENT IN RUSSIA.

HAVING given a concise general view of the history of the Horse
in ancient times, and of the progress which had been made by the
ancients, in equitation and management, it remains to proceed with the
same subjects, and to describe their actual state in various countries, at
the present day.

The finest and most valuable races of Horses, are still found in those
countries, which were distinguished by the same superiority more than
two thousand years ago. From thence have the breeds of all other
countries been improved, and the most valuable properties of the
genus have been derived from the south-eastern Horse. Occasional
recourse is still had to the Levant, for stallions, by every nation in
Europe, desirous of improving or preventing the degeneration of their
breed, the case even in our own country, although we have long
since excelled in figure, size, form, and every valuable quality, the
best models which the original breeding countries could produce.

To begin with the Russian Empire — The native Horses of Russia,
according to the Duke of Newcastle's treatise, were small, of ordinary
shape, and quite disregarded by other nations ; yet active, hardy, and
of great strength of constitution, like their neighbours of Norway and
Sweden. But the Horses of Russia have been greatly improved,
within the last century, not only by the admixture of superior races
from the eastern provinces of that vast Empire, but by the establish-
ment of large studs in various parts, in which Turkish and Persian
stallions have been introduced, as well as Danish and Holstein; but of
late years, English thorough and half-bred Horses have been generally

preferred

48

preferred. In the former part of the reign of the late Empress Catha-
rine, or perhaps somewhat before that period, an imperial stud was
formed upon the river lludilia, intended to supply the guards with
Horses. It consisted of four hundred mares, and about fifty stallions,
chiefly of the above named countries, which (the stallions) cost, at that
time, nearly two hundred pounds each. The Russian court, and the
nobles in general, have since been liberal customers to this country,
s|)aring no expence in the improvement of their studs, some of Avhich
are very numerous. Good trotters are found in Russia, and some years
past, we had, in this country, a gelding from thence, which trotted in
the name of the Russian, performing in a good style, a single mile
in three minutes. The absurd and dangerous custom of driving at
full speed, in the streets, it seems, prevails at Petersburg, and must dis-
grace the government wherever it prevails, as showing so little regard
to the lives and the safety of the lower classes. The boors or country
people in Russia, are said to be particularly kind and considerate to their
Horses, scarcely ever beating but talking kindly and singing to them;
an account yet hardly to be reconciled with the story of their custom
of putting travellers off with a miserable and dying Horse, which they
know will soon sink under his labour.

Of the various native breeds of Horses in the Russian dominions,
those of the Kalmuck Tartars, are distinguished as the best ; they wear
the appearance of having in them, three parts of the blood of the
eastern Horse ; the head long and lean, with considerable length of
the waist and legs, and generally deep and flat in form. They are
doubtless an excellent breed in nature, both for speed and continuance ;
but the stories related of their performances, as Avell as those of the
Arabian Horses, by travellers, who, whatever they might know of other
subjects, were surely ignorant on that of the abilities of the Horse, are
silly and groundless. These terrible, terrible kill-devil hacknies, it seems,
are so tough and stout, as to be able to run three and even four hundred
English miles, in three days! — and that with nothing better in their
bellies, than the grass of the desert, for it is averred, they are so nice
in their appetites, that they will not touch any kind of corn ; which

when

49

when they are brought into better management, they are with flifficulty
tauglit to eat ! There are indeed no mile stones, or judges to see that
all is fair, where these great journeys are said, or supposed to be per-
formed. If any confutation of such fooleries could be necessary, it
would be sufficient to observe, that vast numbers of these famous Horses,
more especially the Arabians, have been tried in this country, and
it has always proved, that speed, not continuance, has been their forte;
and that the stoutest of them, compared with an English I lor^e, is a
mere jade. The Russian trotter above cited, was good but for tv/o
miles, and he had all the appearance of the Kalmuck Horse, or of ha\-
ing much of that blood. This matter would have been passed with a
word or (wo of notice, but I observe the old stories are yet repeated in
print, and I heard them repeated with apparent belief, by gentlemen
on their return from Egypt. Even the old hoax of the trotter of
Billiter Square, has been again of late started in print.

The Kalmuck Horses are purchased in the country at a few roubles,
or under twent}^ shilling each; formerly it was said, at even a rouble,
or under five shillings. They subsist in the steps, or deserts, which lie
betAA-een the rivers Don, Volga and Jaik. In the long, drear}^ and
severe season of winter, they support themselves upon the dead grass,
which they fhid, by scraping away the snow with their feet, and upon
the tops of j^oung trees and shrubs. It may be supposed their con-
dition is low, kept on such scanty fare ; yet it is certain, they soon re-
cover upon the summer grass, as is the case with worn-down Horses in
this country, sent to the salt marshes. They move in great herds of
some hundreds, or even a thousand, from place to place, as led by
instinct to the best keep; and such herds are denominated, in both the
Tartarian and Russian languages, tahoon. They are excellent swim-
mers, and it is reported by the Russians, that these Horses will swim
over the Volga, which is from one to two miles in breadth, with great
ease; and thai after being purchased and taken one hundred miles
from home, they have found their way back, and repassing the river,
have again joined their former Kalmuck masters, a thing which I can
without hesitation credit.

II The

50

The Nogajj Tartar Horses are purchased by the Russians to draw
carriages, at perhaps from ten, to twenty or thirty roubles each ; and
the Bosh/iirs at seventy or a hundred : these last are capital amblers.
Many private individuals of this nation keep Taboons, or studs, of three
or four hundred mares, which are never housed throughout the year.
The Russian cavalry are mounted from the studs of various Tartar
hordes ; but above all, the Teberkesse Horses deserve honourable men-
tion. These brave nags, Ave are instructed, are bred upon Mount
Caucasus; are about the size of the Kalmucks, and although ill-made,
without elegance or proportion, and generally ewe-necked, are so stout
as to be able to run six hundred miles in three days : or doubtless, even
twelve hundred in the same time, and with the same ease, should that
additional stretch be necessary in the report.

The Cozah of Baihmont, and those inhabiting near the Don, are sup-
plied with Horses from the wild herds of the step, or desert, which
were formerly described as consisting of three varieties. Those of the
step in the vicinity of Azof, owe their origin to the following circum-
stance. At the siege ofJzof, in 1697, a prodigous niuiiber of Horses
being employed to carry supplies to the besieging army, which was
very large, the Horses were compelled to seek sustenance in the heart
of the desert, where finding the sweets of liberty, great part of them
never returned, but became wild, and propagating, formed extensive
herds and a new variety. The new breed was generally uniform in
colour, inclining to red or chesnut, the hair being waved or curled ;
the mane and tail black, with a list of the same colour along the back,
marks which we often see in the dun Horses of this country : when
old, the colour of these wild Horses changes to a mouse-grey. In
herds of wild Horses, it is said, the stallions always keep watch as sen-
tinels, and give notice of the approach of man, or of wild beasts of
prey, by neighing in quick succession, and in a peculiarly sharp key ;
on hearing of which, the whole troop presently retreat into the depth of
the desert, the vigilant males and fathers of the herd, bringing up the

rear.

During the winter season, the Cozaks, who are supposed at this time

to

51

to be making such a figure in the Russian armies, drive parties of" those
wild Horses into the deep vaUies, wliich are filled with snow, in which
being entangled, the men catch them by throwing a noose over their
heads. The greater part, or those 'unfit for service are killed with
the spear, those retained for use, are broke, by being coupled with an
halter to a tame Horse, in which situation they are kept several months.
Some of them are trained for draught, and found far superior in
strength to the produce of the domesticated Horse. These Horses
are hunted for food by some of the Tartars, who also use their hides
for winter clothing. A foal is esteemed a great dainty, and horse-veal
is, at this day, as choice a dish amongst most Tartar tribes, as formerly
amongst the Irish. Mare's milk is as commonly drank as that of the
cow, in this country. It acquires a spirit after fermentation, and
being double distilled, in which state it is called asckba, is very inebri-
ating. The pagan nations of these countries still offer the Horse in
their sacrifices, and in preference the white Horse, of the flesh of
■which, says the relator, no one can partake, unless he has first bathed
and put on a clean shirt: an article of apparel scarcely to be found,
one would suppose, in the wardrobe of a Tartar.

The Horses of these deserts, it has been observed, are of three
different varieties. Of these, the Tarpans are found in the steps to
the eastw^ard of the river Yaik. They are of middling size, of a roundish
form and short, of a blue-roan colour, with thick heads and ewe- necks;
in few words, like the common mongrel breed of Northern countries.
The Roolans, or Turkans of the great desert, are higher and not so
fixed as the last described; mouse-coloured, \^'ith long upright ears,
thin manes and tails, and short woolly coats. They feed together in
companies of several thousands, and are shot b}' the inhabitants of
these countries for food.

The Kalmuck Horses, nearest in situation to the Russians, are never
shod, any more than those in the distant dependencies of that empire.
In dry and wild countries, in fact, there is seldom much regularity in
that point, and in many, horse shoes are totally unknown. When
any shoe is used in those regions, it is the Turkish, a solid, round shoe,

H 2

52

which covers the whole foot. The Russians have discontinued the
use of this shoe, since their improvement in veterinary knowledge.

The method of riding among the Tartars, generalh^ is that in use
with the Turks, and all the eastern nations. They ride very short, and
the knees consequently much bent, a seat on horseback which would
be extremely painful to Europeans, but which seems to accord with
the general sitting, or rather squatting posture of the Asiatics. They
use broad Turkish stirrups.

These uncivilized, or half-civilized horsemen, seldom undertake an
expedition, without the allowance of three Horses to one rider, as a
provision in case of accident, or of a Horse knocking up, a thing
which must frequently happen with Horses, in our phrase, having
no meat in them. And perhaps this circumstance does not tally
very exactly, w^ith the high-flown stories of Tartar Horses travelling
hundreds of miles, in the short time lately stated. Probably, the tri-
fling article of a few fresh Horses may have been omitted in those
reports; and whenever a match against time, shall take place over the
plains, either of the Kalmucks or the Teberkesses, even if it be only a
hundred miles in twelve hours, by a picked Horse from the step,
I shall make bold to back old time, although at odds, provided
always, that the ground be measured. The custom of taking spare
Horses, is very ancient, and must ever be necessary, where the care of
Horses is neglected, and the animals, in course, but poorly calcu-
lated for lasting exertions. The cavalry of the ancient Gauls was
styled Trimarkisia, because each soldier had the attendance of three
Horses.

By a curious old law, it Avas ordained in Russia, that no Horse
should carry above fifteen pud, each pud weighing forty pounds,
during the summer season; and in winter, with sledges, not more
than thirty. Now if the Russian agree with our pound weight,
the summer Horse-load must be upwards of forty-two stone, which
one would rather suppose a cart-load. Doubtless, the management
of Horses in Russia must, at this day, be in a state of considerable
improvement, from the number of grooms, as well as of Horses,

which

53

which the Russians have been long in the habit of importing from this
country. Their agriculture is improving by the same mean ; and the
patriotic example of their most excellent and well-intentioned Emperor,
has had great effects on the princes and landholders of that vast
country.

*&*.

SEC

54

SECTION VIII.

HORSES OK LAPLAND SU'EDEN NORWAY SU REFOOTEDN ESS AN D COU-
RAGE OF THE LATTER BREEDS OF DENMARK FRIEZLAND POLAND

FLANDERS GERMANY HUNGARY FRANCE. AUSPICIOUS COMMENCE-
MENT OF JOCKEYSHIP IN FRANCE, AND LATE ATTEMPTS AT IMPROVE-
MENT.

TO return to the North, Lapland has its pecuHar breed of small
Horses, which, according to report, are active and warm-tempered,
and not ill-shaped. They are used only in winter, and as well as the
rein-deer, draw sledges over the ice and snow. In the summer season
they are all turned into the forests, where they are said to have the
singular custom, or instinct, of dividing themselves into separate troops,
and on the approach of winter, to return of their own accord, to
their masters, a thing by no means improbable, since the forest will
no longer supply them with food. An old voyager to the north
(Outhiev) tells us, that when the Laplanders desire to stop their Horses,
they pull at their tails ; a piece of manege, at least as reasonable as that
of the old Irish, who made their Horses draw by the tail.

The native Horse of Sweden and Norway is of small size, generally,
and always Ioav. The latter is of some consequence, in relation to
the Horses of this country, in certain varieties of which, there is a
considerable admixture of norse, or Norway blood : in fact, the dun
colour in our common road hacknies, is chiefly derived from that
source. This cross has taken place in a method opposite to the general
one, since the custom has been to import Norway mares, not stallions.
These have been chiefly imported to the coasts of Suffolk and Norfolk,
in former days, for I have not heard of the practice Avithin the last
thirty years, and very probably the duns and sorrels, or chesnuts of
those districts, have been derived from the Norway cross. The pro-
duce

55

duce of these mares and proper English stallions, make hardy and
good trotting hacks, of which I can speak from experience.

Many valuahle qualities are with justice ascribed to the Norway
Horses. They are round-made, but with clean heads and limbs; their
best pace is the trot, which, indeed, is the characteristic pace of the
northern, as the gallop is of the southern Horse. They are so sure^
footed in their own rough country, as to be eqiial to mules in that rare
quality. It is said, when they go down the steep cliffs, strewed with
stones, as it were steps, they throw themselves vipon their haunches,
like our shaft Horses in a waggon, and supporting themselves with one
fore foot, they try each stone with the other in order, to find whether it
be fast, and to be depended on. In these break-neck situations, the
rider must trust to the discretion and practice of his beast, whether a
Norway Horse or a mule, for should he, from timidity or rash inter-
meddling, confuse the aim, or affect the equilibrium of the animal,
there could be little other chance than that both would describe the
figure, one over the other, down the precipice. These Horses are said to be
among the most courageous, and to fight Avith bears and wolves, which
they conquer and sometimes destroy, by drumming the sculls with their
fore feet : but in these contests, which frequently happen in a wild
countr}^ it is found that the Horse is always conquered by the bear,
much the stronger animal, whenever the Horse happens to strike with
his hinder feet; being in that unguarded position, the bear soon leaps
upon his back, and the Horse rimning away, is at last torn down
by his savage rider. Frederick IV. ordered an experiment of this to
be made in his presence. A bear was 4et loose upon one of these Horses,
which instantly dispatched his enemy in the manner above described.

The Danish islands of Ferroe possess a small and hardy breed of
Horses, which make excellent strong and sure footed hacks, Avell cal-
culated for any barren and hilly country. In such countries they
need no shoes, nor in their den, have anj' shelter throughout winter.
Were it desirable to renew the old breed of Scotch hobbies, at least to
introduce a similar one, the measure might be easily executed by an
importation from the Danish isles.

In Suderoe, one of these islands, they have the lightest and best

shaped

56*

shaped breed. Whether the old accounts be apphcal>le to the present
state of horsemanship tlicre, I cannot tell ; but according to those, the
inhabitants of Suderoe were accustomed to hunt Avild shee[) on their
Horses, which not only carried them safe over that wild, craggy, stony
and almost trackless country, but were so well trained, as to follow
their riders when occasionally dismounting, and even to hold the game
when overtaken, between their fore legs.

With respect to the native breed of Swedeo and Denmark, it differed
nothing from that of the neighbouring countries, but has been, during
a long period, crossed and improved in size and figure, by stallions
firom the more southerly parts of Europe. The dukedoms of Hol-
stein and Oldenburgh have been long famous for a large and sightly
breed of Horses, calculated for military purposes, and for coach
draught. Denmark has shai-ed in the same breed, and stallions from
these countries have long borne a high character in the various studs
of Europe. Neither these, nor any of the continental Horses, accord
very highly with our refined ideas of symmetry and form ; for the
Danish and Holstein Horses, in particular, are thick and heavy forward,
with rather long backs and narrow quarters ; but although their action
be not speedy, it is of that species whicli is adapted to the parade, and
it is said, they are naturally susceptible of being as highly dressed, as
any Horses in the world, and their tempers are generally excellent.

Friezland produces coach Horses, fi'om a cross, I apprehend, of the
stallions just mentioned; but the old bi'eed of this country were of the
hackney size, and were known to the ancients, for they are described
bv Vegetius, as well-shaped, speedy, and able to run a long course.
These qualities, it may be presumed, were derived from an intercopu-
lation, at some early period, with the southern Horse. That there is
such a mixture in the modern Friezlanders, I judge from some few
which I have lately seen, in the hind quarters resembling Barbs.
Bhmdeville, who wrote in the reign of Elizabeth, describes these
Horses as making a good cariere, managing well, and doing the
airvette, as well as any jennet of Spain : adding. — " But then the
disposition of this Horse is so devilish stubborn, and so forward, as un-
less the rider which first breaketh him be ver}^ bold, and therefore cir-
cumspect

cumspect to correct him in time, he shall never bring him to any good :
for he will do nothing without stripes, which also being given out of
time, will make him so restife, that neither fair means nor foul means
will ever win him from that vice again! The pace of this Horse is a
good comelie trot."

The same author describes the Szceaclati or Sueathland, by which I
suppose he means Swedish Horse, as one of middling size and strength,
and inferior quality. He says they are commonly pied, or pieballed,
and of two sundry colours, which colours are much affected by the
gentlemen of that country; and that many of them are wall-eyed, the
token of a shrewd and stubborn disposition.

The Polish Horses are of middling size, without any other particular
character than that of strength and hardiness, common to the stock of
those northern regions. The Poles, in general, did not use to shoe their
Horses. There is a smaller variety of this breed in Lithuania, much
esteemed as amblers.

In the Werders, or the low and marshy districts of Prussia, towards
the mouth of the Vistida, there was, a few years since, a coaching breed
of tall strong Horses, said to be good in nature, but of inferior form, and
with tender and bad feet, from the marshy soil probably, in which they
were bred. Both the Russian and Prussian cavalry used to be mounted
from thence, on the terms of eight to twelve pounds each, at fli-st hand ;
the King of Prussia, and many of the Nobility had studs in this coun-
try, near Tilsit, furnished with foreign stallions from Denmark, Spain,
Naples and Turkey, and some few from Arabia; the produce was said
to be more remarkable for elegance than strength or use.

Germany, Holland and Flanders, continue to produce, as in ancient
times, the largest Horses in the world, those of the low and marshy
countries, in course, exceeding in bulk. Old Bhmdeville, before quoted,
has given a description of these, which will serve equally well for the
present day. He says, XheAlmaine, meaning the German, is commonly
a great Horse, not finely but very strongly made, and therefore. —
" More meet e for the shocke than to passe a carriere, because they be very
grosse and heauy;" and that their riders in managing them, always make
them turn with their hinder parts, like Jack-a-napes when he is made

I to

58

to come over the chain, wherehy they keep their Horses' heads always
upon the enemy. Of a good disposition, and the pace a very hard
trot.

The Flanders Horse he describes, as differing, in a manner, nothing
from the German, excepting in his larger size and bulk. The mares
he observes, are of a great stature, strong, long, fair and fruitful, and
able to endure great labour, walking off lightly with a waggon load ot"
almost incredible weiglit. The Flemings, then as now, preferred mares
for draught, and our importations from that country generally consist
of mares, Flanders, it has already been observed, is the native coun-
try of the great draught Horse. Holland produces also large coach
Horses of considerable repute, both there and in France, although
to inferior those of Friezland. In Juliers and other places, likewise,
coach Horses are raised for sale.

But in the extensive empire of Germany, Horse-breeding has ever
been pursued to a great extent, and there have been, immemorially,
large studs in various parts, furnished with stallions from the finest of
the southern breeds. — Arabian, Barb, Persian, Turkish, Spanish and
Neapolitan. With these, the native German and other northern mares
have been crossed, and a number of varieties raised, some of them pos-
sessing a considerable degree of the symmetry and fineness of the
southern Horse, but none of them with any distinguished portion of
his speed. This defect, doubtless, arises from the natural inaptitude of
the German breed, as well as from the predominance of German
blood in these crosses, for in those countries which bound Germany
south-eastward, namely Hungari/, Tramylvania and Croatia, the Horses
have more speed. These are described to me as cross-made, with a
large hooked head, small eyes and nostrils, long neck, long and rough
mane, middling height, but of considerable length, projecting bones,,
strong legs, small pasterns, full and broad hoofs: in short, flat and irre-
gularly formed, yet bulky.

It is yet probable, that there is a variety in Hungary of higher form
and more blood; and which, if we may credit some accounts, would be
successful racers any Avhere but in England or Ireland, where, strange
as it may sound, no foreign Horse can be found good enough to win a

plate.

59

plate. There is a Horse now covering in the north, called General Sir
George Pigot, got by an Arabian, out of an Hungarian mare called
Darling. This mare was presented by the Archduke Charles to Col.
Craufurd.

In these countries, the custom did, and may yet prevail, of slitting
the narrow nostrils of their Horses, under the idea of giving their
wind an easier passage, and of preventing their neighing in secret expe-
ditions. The Horses just described, and also the Poles, have ahvays
been reported to carry the mark in their mouths, as long as they live, a
quality peculiar perhaps to individuals of every country: it is termed
by the French begut.

Of the numerous varieties of the Horse in France, all are smaller
than those of the neighbouring countries, northward. The French
have bred all kinds, excepting the large cart Horse ; but the business of
the stud, is one of those in which they have never excelled. France
yet possesses one superior native breed, the Norman, these are generally
chesnut in colour, with white legs and a blaze in the face, and are
good sized saddle Horses, active trotters, and have made a great figure
in the late and present war. The Limomii breed shews the most blood;
'they are in the form of hunters, and not improbably, by their appearance,
have originated in a Barb cross. They are said, like the Baibs, to be
slow of growth, and not to be fit for much. work until eight years old.
I once rode a grey Limoisin gelding, which had by chance strayed over
to this country, and if they generally resemble him, I can say very
little in their favour. He was a good figure, and formed pretty well
according to our English notion of a well bred Horse, }'et without the
ability to make haste, in any one of his paces; but his ability to
descend, according to the rule of specific gravity, was unquestionable ;
and as a proof of it, he came down with me plump, neck and crop,
whilst on a canter, in a narrow and flinty road, and laid open both
his knees to the bare joints, beside cutting his mouth and face. Could
I have afforded it, I should have been tempted instantly to have dis-
patched, to his place of rest, this animal, one of those unfortunates,
which nature, in her wayward mood, condemns to unavoidable useless-

1 2 ness

60

ness and misery. Good bideta, or ponies, are bred in Auvergne, Poiclou
and BurgtmclT/.

Some years previous to the revolution, the French were in a fair
way to improve in the noble science of jockeyship. Their princes'
and nobles became strongly impressed Avith the anglomania, in every
thing relative to the stable and the course. English stallions were
imported, racing studs established, and a Gallic Newmarket soon
sprungup on the Plaines de Sablons. Had not these auspicious begin-
nings been stopped by the public troubles, there is no doubt but a
general and lasting improvement would have been effected in the
Horses of France ; and indeed in the management of them, which,
maugre all the science of their veterinary and their riding schools, was
truly execrable, and by which, vast numbers of the finest imported
English Horses were annually murdered.

The French Government has, of late years, attempted the improve-
ment of their breed of Horses, by the establishment of studs, and by
the institution of shows with premiums ; hitherto, it is said, without
much apparent success. None of their cavalry Horses approach ou_r&
in size, activity and goodness, those of Normandy excepted.

SEC«

61

SECTION. IX.

THE HORSE OF SOUTHERN EUROPE — SPAIN — PORTUGAL — ITALY AND THE

ISLANDS.

THE Horses of Switzerland are said to resemble and to partake
in a degree, of the qualities of those of Italy and Spain, an account
which I give upon report. In Spain, Portugal and Italy, the Horse
seems, if not to have degenerated, to have varied considerably from
their once celebrated models. The Spanish Horses of the present
time, of which I have seen some of the best specimens, are of a larger
breed than of old, and appear to have a considerable mixture of the
northern blood, the foundation of which change might probably be
laid during the connection of their monarchy with the empire of Ger-
many. I have my doubts, whether the race of Jennets, formerly so
celebrated as equal in blood to the Persians, or even the Barbs, at
present exists in Spain, Accounts render it probable, that they have
been long since totally extinct. In Butler's days they were better
known : —

Made them curvet like Spanish Jennets,
And take the rinsr at Madame Bennet's.

*o

In truth, in a priest-ridden and oppressed country, we cannot expect
that ancient excellence should be preserved, or new improvements en-
couraged. Besides, mules and asses are in general use, and the con-
cern of breeding Horses necessarily in few hands. This is still more
the case in Portugal, where nothing now is heard or known of their
once famous breed of Coursers, which in speed outstripped the winds,
and being too excellent for a mortal origin, were begotten by the winds.
The Portugueze of rank generally purchase Spanish Horses, entirely
neglecting to breed in their own country, one of the fittest, perhaps, in

the

62

the world for that purpose. They content themselves with breeding
good oxen for draught, of which, Lord Somerville speaks favourably in
his ' System of the Board of Agriculture.'

The Spanish resemble some of the English half and three-part-bred
Horses. The head rather large and coarse, sometimes Roman-nosed ;
long ears, line full eyes, mane thick and flowing, long forehead,
shoulders and breast large, also the carcase, the croup round and full,
yet the loins rather too low. Legs clean and the sinews distinct, pas-
terns often too long like the Barbs, feet long and deep like those of the
mule, with high and narrow heels. A Spanish stallion which I saw,
answered the above descriptions in most points, with the exception that
his pasterns were short and strong, and his feet of good shape and size ;
but he shewed no signs of action, I mean in a sporting sense ; for these
Horses abound in that curvetting, loftj^ species of action, calculated
indeed for the riding-school and the parade, but aa hich is quite out of
place, at least useless, on the course or in the field ; and on the road,
will not contribute much toward bringing a man to his journey's end.
There is yet, I believe, a finer bred variety in Spain, than the above,
and they are described as trussed and well-knit Horses, very active and
docile, of high courage yet temperate, and of the most generous dis-
position. Their chief defect, in point of form, is said to be the too
great length of their heads. The best of those are bred, as in ancient
times, in Upper Andalusia, and perhaps are to be reckoned the descen-
dants, nearest in blood, however degenerated, of the ancient Jennets.
Naples has always been renowned for its breed, both of saddle and
coach Horses, but has either within the last century degenerated, or
been eclipsed by the superior, or rather universal fame of the Horses
of this country. There have, indeed, been no opportunities for attend-
ing to the breed of Horses at Naples, during the troubles of the present
time ; and moreover Kotzebue tells us, that the best stallions of that
country have found their way to France. The chief beauty of the
Neapolitan Horses, consist in their lofty action, and their proud, spirited
and graceful carriage. It is said they excel all others in the piqff'er ;
and on these accounts, as well as from their size, they are calculated for
occasions of shew and parade. They have, however, generally large

heads

63

heads and thick forehands, are vicious and extremely difficult to be
managed. Many of them are bred in Sicily. Those of Corsica, Sar-
dinia, and the neighbouring islands, are a smaller race, active, full of
spirit, and shewing much blood. The above descriptions will also
apply to the different breeds of Italy, which are blended varieties of
the northern and southern Horse, gi-aduated and proportioned, with
respect to the predominance of either race, as circumstances, or more
probably, as chance may have directed. There have yet always been,
and I am informed, still are, breeds of well-shaped and blood-like
Horses in various parts of Italy. Italy also, like Portugal, boasts of a
very beautiful a.nd useful breed of oxen, admirably calculated for labour.

SEC-

64

SECTION X.

THE ASIATIC AND AFRICAN HORSE BREEDS OF INDIA, CHINA AND NEGRO-
LAND THE ORIGINAL COURSER OR RACE HORSE HIS CLASSES OR VARIE-
TIES IN ARABIA ARABIAN PEDIGREES SPECULATIONS ON RACING

BLOOD THE GODOLPHIN ARABIAN THE ARABIAN FORM ROYAL

MARES DOCILITY AND GOOD NATURE OF THE ARABIAN HORSE CUSTOMS,

MANAGEMENT, PARTICULAR CRUELTY OF THE ARABS.

HAVING given a general outline of the Horse, as he is at this
day found in Europe, Britain excepted, and in a part of the Russian
dominions, I proceed to trace him in Asia, Africa and southern Ame-
rica ; concluding with our own country and the united American States,
where the subject rises into its highest degree of importance.

In the Asiatic dominions of Russia, and in Asiatic Turkey, we
begin to meet with the unmixed southern Horse. It has already been
stated, that the originals of this species are found exclusively in Arabia
andBarbary; and the species is produced in the greater perfection
in the circumjacent countries, in proportion to their proximity to its
indigenous soils. But it degenerates both in the high southern latitudes,
and in any considerable advance towards the east : thus. Horses are not
found in perfection either in southern Africa, India or China; but of
greatly diminished size, and although bearing the external conforma-
tion of the blood Horse, almost totally divested of his admirable
qualifications. Those of the coast of Guinea, are described as so
small, and so spiritless in their action, that their heads almost touch the
ground as they walk: thus we see the Horses of both the high northern
and southern latitudes, are of diminutive size, but with the vast advan-
tage in favour of the former, that however small in bulk, they are
great in strength, spirit and activity. The Indian Horses, beside their
small stature and weakness, are also naturally vicious and seldom to

be

65

be thoroughly broken. They are said also to require the most nourish-
ing food, such as pease boiled with butter and sugar, yams, and even
when flesh meat is plentiful, the offal boiled to rags, and mixed with
rice, butter and sugar, and given them in the form of balls : in a scar-
city, they are supported with opium, which damps their appetite, and
renders them insensible to fatigue.

I shall begin with the original Coursers, the Arabian and the Barb,
proceeding to notice their varieties, and their bastard produce, in those
countries of nearly the same parallel, or wherever they are found.
Of these Horses, we are enabled to speak with all the certainty of
experimental observation, their species having been long naturalized
in this country, from successive importations of individuals within the
last two hundred years. Arabia Deserta is allowed to be the breeding
country of the purest and highest bred Racers, that is to say, pos-
sessed in the highest degree, of those qualities which distinguish the
species, and which are generally best ascertained in their produce.
This ' glory of Arabian zoology,' is found in the northern part of the
desert, between Suez and Persia, and is bred by the Bedouin Arabs.
Horses were formerly found in a wild state in these sandy, hot and
barren regions, but it is not ascertained whether such be the case at
present; an obvious improbability indeed, considering their great value,
and that they never could have been very numerous in a country pro-
ducing so little food. Mr. Pinkcrton seems to think it rather probable,
that the Arabians were descended from the wild Horses of Tartar}^,
the latter having passed through Persia, in order to be perfected in
Arabia. An unfortunate surmise, far beneath the standard, I hope, of
his other antiquarian conjectures.

The Arabians divide their Horses into three classes : the Kochlani or
Kehilaiii, the Kehidischi, and the Attichi. The first are the noble, as
they are styled, or the original high-bred Coursers, the produce of the
middle, or mountainous country, the blood of which has been preserv-
ed pure and uncontaminated by any alien mixture or cross, as the
Arabs pretend, for more than two thousand j^ears. However we may
justly doubt the accuracy of an account like this, in an affair that
must necessarily be liable to accidental, as well as wilful deviations,

K implicit "

66

implicit credit is certainly often given to less credible reports. The
Arabians are, above all nations, attached to their Horses, and the most
scrui)uloiis, both with regard to their pedigrees, and their care and pre-
caution in breeding. The names, marks, colours, age and qualifica-
tions of all the superior stallions and mares, are generally known among
the breeders of that country, as among the breeders of Race-horses
in this; but they carry their scrupulosity and precaution far beyond us.
On the covering a marc, witnesses are called, who give a solemn cer-
tificate of the consummation, signed and sealed in the presence of the
emir, or of some magistrate. The names and pedigrees of the horse and
mare are set forth in this instrument. This ceremony is repeated when
the foal is dropped, and a fresh certificate is signed, in which the day
of birth is registered, and the foal particularly described. These vou-
chers like the title-deeds of an estate, pass with the Horse when sold,
and in them consists a material part of his value. The prejudices of
these people concurring with their leading interest, we need entertain
the less suspicion of their fidelity, which is farther confirmed by the
testimony of ages in their favour, by the apparent marks of purity
and integrity in their breed, and by the unrivalled excellence of those
animals in which they deal, and disperse over so many countries.

The Kehidischi, or second class of Arabian Horses, may be compared
with the varieties of this country, which we call generally blood-horses,
meaning such as indeed shew blood, but the pedigrees of Avhich are not
perfect. Thus the Kehidischi are not thorough-bred, but although per-
haps, for the most part, the produce of stallions of the first class, yet
in their breed, there may have been many interventions of half-bred,
or common-bred mares. I have no doubt, from the various examina-
tions I have had the opportunity to make, that the far greater part of
the Arabian Horses brought over to this country, have been of this
second class. The Attichi, or third class, are the common run of the
Horses of the country, mixed perhaps with a thousand adventitious
crosses ; and about the breeding or pedigree of which, no extraordinary
care has been taken. It would be matter of curiosity, indeed, could
Ave ascertain why the Horses of this particular district should have
preserved that character of superiority, from the earliest ages. Was

this

67

this superiority proved at first from their performances, and perpetuated
in their descendants, by breeding m and in, or at least admitting no
ahen cross, on the principle that like produces like ? This is to assign to
the ancient Arabian breeders, a high proficiency in the science, which
ourselves have but lately attained. It is, however, very natural for
th£ proprietors of an excellent race of animals, or of excellent indivi-
duals, to suppose that such excellence may be continued by propaga-
tion ; and success, or even mere affection and habit, would tend to per-
petuate the practice, more especially in countries where established cus-
toms have a sort of religious force.

To act honestly by the inquisitive reader, it is necessary to tell the
whole truth. It has been the fashion, for some three or four score
years, or more, for ought I can tell, for our sporting people who have
supposed themselves in the secret, to talk of the Horse of the desert,
or the mountain Horse, whether Arab or Barb, as the only original
source of racing blood, all other southern Horses being of a secondary
or spurious, at least suspicious breed. I willingly join issue with them,
but whether from early imbibed prejudice, or from the weight of suffi-
cient evidence, I am scarcely able to determine. We have, perhaps,
no certain criterion of form, by which to distinguish the mountain
Horse ; in fact, some which have been supposed such, have had little
to boast in that respect, according to our received ideas. Nor can we
very well trace the descent of these favourites, from those mountains
or deserts, in which it is taken for granted they ought to originate.
It has always been a question, whether the celebrated stallion called
the Godolphin Arabian, were really an Arabian or a Barb, but as far
as I can judge from his portrait by Stubbs, he has far more the appear-
ance of a Barb ; and that he was really so, there is a degree of proba-
bility, from his having been procured in Barbary. We may connect
with these ideas, that in our early periods of racing, and even until
of late, almost all the varieties of the southern Horse have been intro-
duced into this country; Egyptian, Syrian, Persian, Turkish, Grecian;
and from such a medlev of Races, has our famous Enulish thoroueh-
breed arisen. It is probable, that amongst our first Courser;;, even the
Tartar, Hungarian and Spanish breeds were made use of, but our

K 2 oldest

68

oldest pedigrees acknowledge no such crosses, although experiments of
that kind may have been since tried by individuals. In favour of the
established opinion, however, it may be urged, that a few of the Ara-
bians and Barbs have evinced by their produce, an immense su[)eriority
over the common herd imported, and that the latter, in consequence,
are, at this time in very low estimation.

The Arabian Horses are never of any very large size, seldom indeed
reaching the height of fifteen hands. They excel in sleeloiess and
flexibility of the skin, and in general symmetry, from the head to the
lower extremities. The eye is full and shining, the head joined, not
abruptly, but to a curved extremity of the neck ; the shoulders capacious,
deep and counter, or inclining to flat, and declining considerably into the
waste ; the quarters deep, and the fore arms and thighs long, large and
muscular, with a considerable curve of the latter; the legs flat and
clean,with the tendon or sinew large and distinct; the pasterns moderately
long; the feet somewhat deep, the substance of the hoofs fine, like that
of the deer. This general description may suffice until we come to
treat of the English Race-Horse, inseparably connected with the
Arabian.

The Arabians breed their Horses for sale and exportation, and I un-
derstand are always ready to part with those of their most esteemed
breeds, for an adequate price, which may sometimes amount to five
hundred pounds or upwards, others being attainable at perhaps a tenth
part of that sum. It is said, they are not so willing to part with their
mares. Perhaps Aleppo, Suez, Bassoruh on the Persian gulph, Mecca,
and Alocha in Arabia Fati.r, may be quoted as the readiest places of
access to the true breed of Arabian Coursers. But Horses under the
general name of Arabians, are imported into Europe, from all parts
of the East, where they are almost invariably purchased by persons
totally unskilled, unless, perhaps, a few exceptions may be made, with
respect to military purchasers ; and they, as such, had they the power of
selection, would scarcely chuse the true Courser, inferior, in a mili-
tary view, to Persian, Egyptian or Turkish Horses. King Charles II.
indeed, sent out a person expressly for the puipose of purchasing brood
mares for the racing stud, which were theace afterwards styled royal

mares»

69

mares, but I am uninformed in what parts of the world those mares
were procured.

The latest accounts we have from the deserts, confirm those of the
old travellers, respecting the mode of- life of the wandering Arabs, or
Bedouins, and their treatment of their cattle : in fact, the customs of
these peo|)le seem as stable and permanent, as the very earth on which
they dwell, and he who would wish to prepare himself for the ceremo-
nial of an entertainment in an Arab tent, could not do better, than
rehearse a lesson from some early chapter in the Old Testament. It is
said, that the Horse is so general a property in those countries, that even
the meanest among the Arabs, possess some of them. As in the
Irish cabin, so in the Bedotiin tent, the whole family, quadruped as
well as biped, eat, drink, sleep, and are sheltered together ; in the latter,
mares and foals, men, women and children, take their rest promiscuously,
and oftimes are to be seen the heads of a child and a foal, reclined on
the same pillow, the belly, breast or neck of a mare. Nor do the
parents apprehend any accident from such licence, for it is asserted,
that the mares and foals, Avill not only permit all kinds of play from
the children, but that the former have the sagacity and sensibility to
tread Avith caution least they should hurt them. Nor need this be
looked upon as Avithout the A-erge of probability, at least I do not so-
regard it, because I have myself had a mare, endoAA^ed with similar
faculties of good nature and intelligence, and have repeatedly Avitnessed
her care to avoid hurting inferior animals. She would race and gam-
bol, and play Avith me, or Avith her groom, in the field, like a favourite
spaniel ; and Avhen mounted on her, I Avas assured in case of accident,
I had nothing to fear, either from affright, or carelessness, far less vice
in her ; and I have no doubt, had I ever fallen from her, and my foot
hung in the stirrup, that she Avould have instantly stopped, until 1 had
extricated myself; in truth, I OAved much, perhaps my life, to her care.
Horses are confirmed in this Avay by kind and considerate treatment.
The Arabians treat their Horses habituallij, even Avith the utmost fond-
ness, having neither the desire nor the necessity of beating them, the
generous and docile animals, doing every thing Avhich is required of
them, in consequence of indication and persuasion: hence, probably,

the

70

the kindness and generosity of temper supposed to be inherent, and a
characteristic in the Arabian Morse.

It is remarkable, that we have, in all probability, derived from the
Arabians, the common custom of throwing water upon the back of
the mare, the instant of the descent of the Horse. They have another
custom of shearing off the hair of their foals' tails, at eighteen months
old, in order to promote its growth. At two years old, or two years
and a half; at longest, the foals are taken in hand and taught their duty;
and those Horses, or rather mares, (for the Arabs, like their forefathers,
and for the same reasons it is said, always prefer mares,) are constantly
kept bridled and saddled at the door of the tent, throughout the whole
day. It has been said, that they are, in that place, made fast by one
of the fore legs, and that the leg becomes often stiffened, or injured, in
consequence.

In the above situation, these animals remain unsheltered, whatever
may be the state of the weather, and unfed ; for by custom they are
never fed in the day time, but allowed water several times. At sun-set,
they are fed for the night, with the liberal allowance, if we may credit
travellers, of half a bushel of well sifted barley to each nag, given in
a bag which is left fastened to the head. In March, the grass season
in those countries, the Horses are either soiled at home or turned loose
into the pastures, whilst the grass lasts, which cannot be long in such
a climate. During the other seasons of the year, they are supported
on barley straw, barley, camel's milk, and perhaps dates.

Berenger asserts, it may be supposed on the authority of travellers,
that the Arabians " curry their Horses morning and night, with great
exactness, never suffering the least stain to remain upon them, fre-
quently washing their legs, manes and tales, combing these seldom for
fear of breaking the hair." But all this, it may be suspected, is a mere
gratuitous transfer of the best practice of the Turkish studs, to those of
the desert: for I have seen letters from the Syrian border of the
desert, not yet two years old, in which it is positivley maintained that
the Arabs never dress or clean their Horses at all, and are even totally
ignorant of the use of any instrument for such purpose. It is on
jiccount of this neglect probably, and of the daily continued fixed posi-
tion

71

tion of the Arabian Horses, and of their exposure to the vicissitudes
of the weather, in such a state, that they are subject to grease in their
own country, a disease which, I believe, they seldom experience in this,
where, from the nature of the climate,' that disease ought more to pre-
vail. Nor, according to the common practical rule of judging, can any
Horses on earth be less naturally predisposed to grease than those of
Arabia. The above letters state, that they are also subject to the
cholic, the mange, and the farcy.

From that inconsistency of mind which seems an universal defect, the
Arabians, in one particular, are most cruel to their Horses, and this
arises from all-powerful habit, the most probable source also of their
humanity. They invariably use that dreadful implement of torture,
known in Europe by the name of the Turkish bit, which is so power-
ful in its purchase, as to endanger the rupture of a Horse's jaw bone,
should his resistance demand any great effect of strength in the rider ;
and as that absurd and generally useless trick of stopping short in full
speed, is deemed one of the greatest, and is one of the most frequent
feats of Eastern horsemanship, and no previous pains are ever taken
to temper the mouths of the colts, perpetual violence must be offered to
them afterwards. In the general course, the Arab, and most Eastern
horsemen, ride with a rough and severe hand, whence their Horses'
mouths, until they have become intirely callous and dead, are usually
in a most pitiable, bruised and lacerated state, and seldom are they
stopped on the career, without their mouths being filled with blood ; nor
is it an unfrequent occurrence for a Horse, more particularly a young
one, and no previous menage is used in order to supple their joints, to
be broken down, or incurably lamed in the hinder quarters, by the sud-
denness and violence of the shock. The spur too, or rather spike, is
used with great brutality; and in Barbary, Horses are seen on the
parade, their mouths and sides streaming with blood. I have been
sometimes tempted to suppose and to hope, that these barbarous horse-
men must, at least, be of a different class, from the humane and rati-
onal breeders of the desert.

The Horse furniture of the lower classes is most simple, and many
ride, as has been said, in the primitive style, without either bridle or sad^

die:.

72

die- but amongst the superior, the Turkish saddle is in use, having
the posterior part, or cantle, so high, as to reach halt ^vay up the
rider's back; and flat stirrups which contain the whole toot, the toe ot
the stirrup iron being made sharp, to answer the mtent ot a spur.
They use no girths, vide excessively short, and are expert m all those
-feats of horsemanship which depend on the eqmlibre and which have
been already adverted to, in the practice of the ancients.

SEC-

7:^

SECTION XI.

nKSCRIPTIOX OK rilK BARB OF THE TUllK — EASTERN MANAGEMENT AND

EQU ITATtON EGYPTIAN ABYSSINIAN SYRIAN AND PERSIAN BREEDS

PERSIAN EQUITATION AND SHOEING GREENHOUSES AVITH YELLOW

EVES CIRCASSIAN AND JIINGRELIAN HORSES DESCRIPTION OF THE

TARTAR AND HIS M ONDKRFLL PERFORMANCES — FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP.

THE old description of the Barbary Horses runs as follows : the fore-
hands long, and rising- boldly out of thcAvithers; mane and tail thinly-
haired, head lean, small and ?nouto7nic {\ike a sheep's). Ears handsome
and well placed. Shoulders light, sloping backward and flat; withers
fine and high, loins short and straight, flanks and ribs round and full,
with moderate sized barrel. Croupe sometimes too long, tail j)laced
high, haunches strong and elastic, thighs Avell turned, legs clean and
thin of hair, sinew detached from the shank, pastern too long and
bending. Foot good and sound. Of all colours, but grey the most
common. Generally cold-tempered and slow, requiring to be roused
and animated, on which they will discover great vigour, wind and speed.
Most valuable in their produce.

There is not much objection to be made at this day, to the above
description, which Avas probably given by the famous Duke of New-
castle. Barbs are smaller than Arabians, and of a narrower form, car-
rying their substance more in depth, and I think, somewhat of an
asinine appearance. They are sometimes ass-hoofed, that is long and
deep. I have seen individuals of them very full of bone; and Barbs of
the first class have proved themselves equal to Arabians, as stallions,
getting true and stout runners. They are bred upon a similar soil,
and sprung from the desert like the Araliians, of which they are gene-
rally deemed a variety. I fancy them an original race, endowed with
similar and equal properties ; it is a question, of which the solution is

^ L impossible,

74

impossible, and the unimportance certain. In goodness of temper and
docility, these Horses resemble the Arabians, and are said to be very
sure-footed. They are accustomed only to walk and gallop, in their
own country, and in the latter pace are great striders. The mountain
Horses and those of Morocco are found to be the best. Arabians also
have been immemorially introduced into and propagated in Barbary ;
in consequence, a commixture of the breeds must have been common,
although they always have been attainable piu'e of each class. They
have spread as far as the borders of Guinea, and are found in consi-
derable perfection on the banks of the Gambia, and doubtless extend
across the Lybian desert, towards the confuies of Egypt.

The Turks import Horses from their numerous provinces; and in
Turkey, may be found almost every variety of the Southern Horse.
I am uncertain whether I have ever seen any of the native breed of
that country, but according to Dr. Russell, they are of a large size
and martial appearance. If the Doctor's information be correct, it is
probable, the old Turkish breed is extinct, which, according to the
description we have of them, seem to have been the real quality
Horses of the Duke of Newcastle, namely, fruges consumere nati ;
and from their delicacy, fit for little else. They were said to be hand-
some, elegantly ibrmed, full of spirit, speedy, and to have skins so soft,
that they could not endure the currycomb, but to ha^e long and loose
necks, legs and carcases, Aveak appetites, to be unequal to fatigue, and
soon distressed. It is remarkable, that the writer who says all this of
the native Turkish Horses, immediately continues, that they are never-
theless capable of much labour and furnished with unfailing Avind.
And I believe this too, for we have not received a single axiom from
antiquity, more worthy to be depended upon, than, tliat nothing is, hut
wliich also is not. Uncertainty is certainty.

In Turkey and the bordering countries, the same manege and treat-
ment of the Horse prevails. The dung dried in the sun to a fine soft
powder, is used as litter, being renewed by continual drying. This
amongst us makes an excellent stratum for covered rides. In the East
it acts as a kind of powder to the hair of the Horses, giving their fine
coats a beautiful gloss. The Horse furniture of the Turks, is highly

ornamented.

75

ornamented, but the workmanship is clumsy ; the saddles are heavy
and unwieldy, and made fast by a circingle. They seldom ride with
whip, spur or switch, but guide their. Horses with a rod about a yard
lon<T and of the size of a large cane; this is held by the middle, and
with it the rider strikes either side of the neck, to direct the Horse right
or left. IVallachia, is said to furnish the Turks with some of their most
useful Horses,

According to an old Dutch writer, fuerunt out em in Egypt o semper
prcEstcmthsimi equi — Egypt has always produced the most excellent
Horses. The native Egyptian Horse is larger than the Arabian, but
whether merely in consequence of the more nutritious keep of Egypt,
or of specific variety, I am unable to give an opinion, nor do I know,
that they are distinguished here, from the other Horses which we im
port from the Levant. We have yet occasionally had Egyptian stallions
so called. Arabians, in course, from the proximity of the countries,
have always been introduced and bred in Egypt, the best of Avhich are
said to go to the Turkish market. Between Egypt and Abyssinia,
there is a large breed of Horses, which was seen by the late Mr. Bruce ;
the Abyssinian breed is said to be generally black in colour, and in
quality. Coursers; it having been formerly a dispute, whether the
J^onoiu" of originating the breed, belonged to that country or to
Arabia.

The Syrian Horses are much commended by Dr. Russell, for beauty,
docility, and goodness; like the Egyptians, they are larger than the
Arab, and many of them have been imported into this country.

The modern Persians have not perhaps, maintained their ancient
superiority; that of the x\rabians has been long generally allowed,
and even in Persia : however, on proof, this superiority may not con-
sist in the services of war, hunting or journeying, but merely in that
of the stud; with respect to the former, the Persian Horses maybe
better adapted, as of greater size, somewhat less delicacy, and having
stronger feet. We find in the old accounts, the Persians thus describ-
ed: two varieties, the one of the common size of the Arabs, and most
])robably of that race ; the others of the size of English saddle-horses.
Small-headed, fine and long forehands, narrow-chested, ears well turned

L 2 and

76

and well placed, small and delicate legs, well tbimcd hinder quarters
and good firm hoofs. Their character a dashing courage, activity,
speed, excellence of temper, stoutness, surefootedness; hardy in con-
stitution and easily maintained. Their chief defect is said to he, that
they carry their noses so high as to be apt to strike the rider's face,
unless ridden with a martingale; in truth a most weighty defect

The Persians then are probably the star-gazers o{' our old veterinary
writers, by them, according to an usual error, called Arabians, for this
defect is occasioned by malconformation of the head and neck, from
which the true-bred Arabians are free. The head is attached abruptly
to the neck, and although finer towards the muzzle, is thick at the
junction, whence the muzzle is protruded, it is to he pig-headed. But
liow are we to reconcile this defect in the Persian Horses, with the
ancient, and indeed modern, account of their natural well-reining and
curvetting ? If they are really marked by such defect, I have seen
several Persian Horses, under the name of Arabians, particularly
among those brought over on the late return of our army from Egypt.
One of these I have examined within these few days, his head and
feet, proving to my conviction, that he was not a true-bred Arabian.

Were I inclined to deal in conjecture, I should surmise that the
original breed of Persia was a compound of those of Tartary and
Arabia, between which, the former country may be said to be placed.

Persia is one of the greatest breeding countries in the world, and
prodigious numbers of Horses are annually raised on the plains of
Fersepolis, Media, Ardtbil and Derbeiit : those bred in Kurdistan, are
in the highest estimation both for size and figure. India, I apprehend,
lo be the chief mart for Persian Horses. On the borders of that coun-
try, and of Arabia, were to be found, according io Marcus Paulas and
other old writers, studs of white mares, some of them extremely nume-
rous, even to the amount of thousands in a stud.

There is in Persia, considerable variation from the Turkish style of
management, and much in favour of the former. The Persians, it is.
said, ride and even manage with a snaffle bridle, and know nothing of
spurs. Their Horses are never gelt, are ridden with their full tails;
arc kept in clothes as with us, and groomed in the nicest style. Their

curry-

77

curry-comb has but four teeth and no handle, the accompanying brush
to which, is simply a piece of felt.

The Persians in general, are reported to be very adroit in the art of
shoeing the Horse, having little difficulty in adjusting to the foot,
almost any shoe that conies to hand, which facility it seems, results
chiefly from the usual strength and soundness of their Horses feet, that
nails can scarcely be driven amiss. They shoe with light, flat, even
shoes, on which the Horse is liable to slip. Pity but they were acquaint-
ed with La Fosse's metluxl, calculated so well for strong feet. They
feed and turn to grass like the Arabians, mixing salt with the barley on
Avhich they feed their Horses, with the intent of correcting the rank-
noss of their dung, and rendering it less offensive as litter.

This people, like their ancestors, excel in feats of horsemanship,
indeed, the report of their activity on horseback, may sound somewhat
miraculous to many readers. The fact is nevertheless well established.
The Persians are accustomed to play at 7nall on horseback, and so
situated, strike the ball with a skill and certainty altogether surprizing.
They also place upon the top of a tree, or high pole, a ball or apple, as
a mark, setting off at full speed, when they have passed the mark,
they turn themselves round toward their Horse's croupe, and in that
attitude, drawing their bows, seldom fail to hit the mark with their
arrows. Like the Turks and Arabs, the Persians also perform a variety
of these feats; such as striking their darts into a turban, or tossing them
up into the air, riding alter and catching them as they fall, whilst their
Horses are running at their utmost speed. Leaping from one Horse to
another, creeping under the belly and around to the saddle again, turn-
ing several times round the neck, standing, upright upon the saddle,
with their faces towards the tail, the Horses all the while running at
full speed.

In the year of our Lord 15P0, Vioggi de Gasparo Balhi, between Bal-
sora and Bagdad, saw, but whether sleeping or waking, has neglected
to inform his readers, a singular breed of green Horses with yellow
eyes. The traveller might probably see, in a bad light, or with bad
eyes, or under some deceptive circumstances, yellow or cream-coloured
Horses with yellow eyes. Such are the Hanoverian Horses of his

Majesty,

78

Majesty, which may not improbably be of Persian origin. I have
myself sometimes supposed, I could perceive a greenish cast in the
burnish upon the coats of these Horses.

The Horses of Circassia, Mingrelia, and of all the circumjacent
countries, are numerous and of Tartarian origin, but of superior form
and size, from the cross of well bred foreign stallions. The Circassian
Horses used to be celebrated for their vigour and the hardiness of their
constitution, and are, at this day, in the highest request for the Turkish
markets.

Tartar}'^ is one of the great original breeding countries of the Horse,
and as has been stated, disputes the precedence with Arabia. In the
vast deserts of both great and little Tartar}', the Horse ever has, and
still is to be found in his natural or wild state. I must take the description
of the true Tartar Horse, on trust, since I have seen only the half-bred
of that race. They ai-e represented by travellers as of a good mode-
rate size, either for military or common purposes, and as natural pad-
ders or pacers : strong, with the tendons prominent and tough; airy,
resolute and dashing, with the blood head, lean and symmetrical, but
two small : the forehand long, upright and stiff; very high upon the
leg, the fore legs often appearing the highest ; the substance of the
hoofs good, but the heels often wiry or narroAV ; endowed with pro-
digious speed and unconquerable fortitude.

My authors farther, and with probability, teach, that the Tartar
Horses are bred and trained in the same simple and humane methods
as the Arabian ; adding a due portion of that monstrous common-
place foolery of their Horses travelling two or three clays without rest-
ing, and with no more or better nourishment than a handful or two of
grass every eight hours! — habits to which it seems they are early trained
and inured by short commons and long journies. This species of pre-
paration, I humbly conceive, would neither very well suit our racers,
nor post hacks. These silly exaggerations are, however, doubtless
grounded on the real great exertions of the Horse of the desert, of his
frequent unfortunate necessity of long fasting, or of being content
with little food; difficulties under which, from nature and habit, he is
as superior to the well fed and more domesticated Horse, as the latter

must

7^

must always be to him in solid and permanent powers. The Tartars
possessed of such vast herds and of such unlimited domains, are enabled
to spare their Horses, at least from all serious labour, until six and even
seven years old, whence their strength'has full time to consolidate and
to attain its utmost perfection.

Pallafox, in his history of the conquest of China by the Tartars,
relates, that they have a custom of fastening the reins of their bridles
to their girdles, and governing and guiding their Horses by the
motion of their bodies, in which method they are able to make them
perform all the various evolutions. Thus they have the full use of both
hands for the management of their weapons against an enemy, in
Vvhich they ha\'c ever l)een distinguished for skill and effect. Some of
their horsemen wull hold the bridle and bow in the same hand, and
guide their Horse Avith great address, whilst they draw the bow, rising
up in their short stirrups to collect themselves and to enforce the effort.
Like their Scythian and Parthian progenitors, they will also discharge
their arms at the enemy from the croupe of their Horses, whilst re-
treating at full speed. The Tartar Horse is doubtless of an ancient
and original race, but whether, like the Arab and Barb, he is to be
deemed a genuine Courser, I am unable to determine, but suppose it
probable, that in our various importations of stallions from the East, we
must have had some of the Tartar race. Little Tartary is said to pro-
duce chiefly galloways, or a small variety of the native race.

SEC.

80

SECTION xn.

SOUTH AMERICAN HOUSE HIS ORIGIN AND QUALITIES A\ EXAAII'LI!-

HERDS OF WILD HORSES.

THE South American Horses, both upon the continent and the islands,
are ahiiost universally of the Spanish breed, being descended from the
breeding stock carried over to those countries, bj'the first Spanish and
Portugueze colonists. Increasing beyond the demand of their masters,
these animals soon ran wild, and in countries of such vast extent and
fertility, and under a climate so congenial to their nature, they multi-
plied to such a degree, as to replenish all the desert parts with their
herds. Ceasing to be private property, the wild Horses have long
since ceased to bear any value beyond the price of their hides. As to
the qualities too of the South x'Vmerican Horse, the opinions of
travellers are various, but I know of none on \\ hich Ave can depend.
Some assert that he has degenerated, and ran into all sorts of auk-
ward shapes, the head being particularly large. We are not, how-
ever to suppose, that the original stock could be all perfect; some
were doubtless good, as are some of the present produce ; and cer-
tainly a skilful breeder would be able to raise good road Horses, and
Hunters, in any part of South America.

Even so long ago as Sir Walter Raleigh's time, the south American
Indians killed the wild Horses of the woods, merely for their skins,
as well as the oxen ; the skins of the former are described by the
kniiiht, as beautifully marked and spotted with various uncommon
colours.

* Within our own memory. Commodore Byron highly commends
such of these Horses as came Avithin his observation, during his tra-
\ els in the country ; and Don JJlloa goes so far as to assert, but he had
probably never been at Newmarket, that the boasted swiftness of the

European

%

81

European Horse is clulness itself, compared Avith the speed of iiei-
South American. However, the Don proceeds to give us actual proof
of a considerable share of goodness in. his favourites, and quite satis-
factory, provided always, that the miles were fairly measured, his time-
piece correct, and himself accurate. He says, the best variety of these
Horses is called AquUillas, that they not only excel in the amble, the
universal pace in those countries, but can also gallop away from all
others. He possessed one of this breed, which often carried him from
Calloo to Lima, two measured leagues and a half, over a very rough
and stony road, in twenty-nine minutes, and which brought him back
again, Avithin a minute or two of the same time, without taking off the
bridle. Certainly a hackney, even in England, which will gaily trot
or canter away with a man, at that rate, will be in high estimation.
These Chilian Horses, are described by Ulloa as not liandsome, but
of high courage, gentle, docile and easy goers. The women of Chili,
are fiimousfor their skill in equitation.

Dessons, a French writer, in his late voyage to the West Indies, cal-
culates the number of Horses and mules dispersed over the plains and
vallies in the Caraccas, at one hundred and eighty thousand of the
formei', and ninety thousand of the latter. Faulkner in his travels in
Palagoiiia, the most southern and desert part of America, describes
the wild Horses as traversing those vast plains, in innumerable multi-
tudes, insomuch that during a fortnight, they continually surrounded
him and four Indians his companions, sometimes passing them in thick
troops, for several hours together, at full speed, that it was with the
utmost difficulty they preserved themselves from being ran over and
trampled to pieces. Those Avho have only witnessed the random and
careless scampering of cart Horses, or colts let loose, w ill easily con-
ceive the danger to which a traveller must be exposed amongst wild
Horses, in an open countr5^ I remember to have heard, a year or two
since, Mr. Wynd ham relate an instance of one of his brother, the Earl
of Egremont's grooms, being thrown down and hurt by a parcel of
racing colts suddenly rushing out of the stables.

M 8E(;-

82

SECTION XIII.

THE HORSES OF BRITAIN, IRELAND AND BRITISH AMERICA ANTIQUA-
RIAN CONJECTURES M'AR CHARIOTS THE ATTACHMENT OF KING

ATHELSTAN TO THE HORSE— NORMAN IMPORTATION AT THE CONQUEST :

AND BY EDWARD 11, FROM THE CONTINENT THE DEXTARIUS, GREAT,

OR MANAGED HORSE, IN HIGH FASHION THROUGHOUT THE REIGN OF
THE PLANTAGENETS— SMOOTHFIELDjOR SMITHFIELD GREAT MARKET AND
EXERCISE GROUND FOR HORSES OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS VARIOUS DE-
SCRIPTIONS AND DENOMINATIONS HEAVY AND LIGHT CAVALRY TRAM-
MELS FOR PACING — SLANG LATIN.

THE British Horses, in their former and present state, upon their
native soil, and in the colonies, Avill finish our general survey, in which
it is hoped no known race, or variety of any degree of consequence,
has been omitted.

English Horses are of much higher antiquity than English history;
since, when Julius Caesar invaded this island, he found himself opposed
bv a numerous cavalry, so to denominate the war chariots of the Britons,
which were drawn by active and well-trained Horses. As the shortest
cut below, unattended beside with risk, an advantage which every
dealer in conjecture cannot boast, I shall predicate, that the Horse is
ijidigenous in the British isles. To those who dislike such a proposi-
tion, I bequeath the trouble of overturning it, warning them at their
outset, to find a country better adapted to the production and support
of the animal in question.

In the same spirit of conjecture, 1 shall supi)0se, that as our island
consists of mountain, ordinary level, and marsh or sea coast, it origi-
nally possessed Horses, as we know the case has since been, adapted to
each situation; namely ponies, middling-sized Horses and those of
greater weight. In course, they were all of the round-formed, h\u(i\
rough-haired, northern species. There can exist no doubt, however,

of

83

of communications between this country and the opposite continent,
from the most remote antiquity, with which may be joined the strongest
probability of the importation of the continental Horse. The Scy-
thians or Goths, having migrated to that part of the European con-
tinent, where they took the name of Belgcc, doubtless brought with them
the Horse of their native regions; the commercial connection also,
which subsisted between the ancient Britons and the Tyrians, might be
a mean of the introduction hither of the Horses of that country.
Thus the southern Horse niay have been brought into this country,
far earlier than has been generally supposed, and with respect to the
species of the northern parts of Europe, doubtless, it was introduced
by the Danes and other northern nations, in their various expeditions.
The chariots with scythes affixed to the wheels, and driven rapidly, and
bridles ornamented with ivory, found in Britain on the first arrival of
the Romans, prove to demonstration, a considerable maturity of skill in
the Britons, and the |JOssession of an active and appropriate breed of
Horses. The war chariot, with armed Avheels, is an eastern invention,
which the Britons most probably derived from Tyre, as well as the
breeding stock for the improvement of their Horses. The assertion of
the venerable Bede, that the Britons did not ride on horseback, until
the year 631, unless we are to understand it as limited to the clergy,
seems totally inconsistent with the relations of the Roman writers.
Riding on horseback could surely not be unknown in a country where
Horses were in such plenty, and which had long been connected with
other countries, where such convenience was known and practised.
Camden says, on the authority of Dio Niaeus, that the Horses of the
northern part of the island, were small, but very swift.

It is not improbable, that after the loss of independence, the breed
of Horses might, from neglect, be suffered to degenerate, and history
seems silent on this subject, until the reign of the Anglo-Saxon monarch
Athelstan, who was much attached to the Horse, and gave all the
encouragement Avithin his knowledge and powers, to its propagation
and improvement. Athelstan procured Horses from various pails of
the continent, and received presents of white Horses from Saxony,
probably of the Turkish or Eastern breed, which, it is plain, he judged

m2 of

84

of great value, from making them s})cci(ic bequests in his will. The
English breed had, indeed, at that period, acquired high estimation in
foreign countries, and from the selfish and erroneous policy common to
unenlightened times and countries, the Anglo-Saxon king prohibited by
law, the exportation of Horses, unless of such as were intended for
presents. In this request of English Horses, even in those countries
whence great part of the breeding stock had been derived, we have a
verv early proof of the ameliorating quality of our soil, and its con-
geniality with the nature of the Horse.

At the Norman conquest the breed of this country received a far-
ther admixture from the continent. The conqueror and his great caj}-
tains, not only brought over many Horses of their own country, but
most probably a variety of foreign breeding stock. One of these chief-
tains, Boger de Bele.sme, created afterwards Earl of Shrewsbury, in-
troduced upon his estate of Powisland, perhaps the first Spanish stallions
which had been known in England. This circumstance is noticed by
Giraldus Combrensis, and celebrated by the poet Drayton, but any conse-
quent improvement of the Shroi)shire or Welsh Horse, does not appear
to have been general or permanent; or if such was an immediate result,
the advantage was afterwards suffered to be lost by neglect, as was the
case in the gradual extinction of the Galloways in Scotland, a breed
said also to have been derived from Spanish stallions.

1 have not discovered any account of Horses brought home from the
East, in the tune of the crusades, although there seems an improba-
bility that it should not have so happened, unless indeed, the fashion
of the times for large Horses, should have rendered those of the South,
of small comparative estimation. But constant occasional importations
from the European continent, doubtless took place in every reign, and
we find in the annals of that prince, by Trokelow, that Edward H, had a
great passion for Horses, and imported them from Champagne in France
and also from Lombardy ; mares particularly, from the latter country.
By the prohibition to export them, formerly mentioned, it must be sup_
posed the quantity then barely equalled the home demand, and this
appears to have been the case, in a still greater degree, under the warlike
sovereigns, for we find that Edward IH, mounted a considerable part of

hist

85

hi^ cavaln^ destined for war against Scotland, with Horses from the
continent ; and there is an account of a debt of twenty-five thousand
florins from this prince to the Count of Hainault, tor Horses which the
latter had provided. The ckxtarii, or managed Horses, for parade at
the tournament, then in high vogue, were generally procured from
France.

From the Norman conquest, and throughout the reign of the Plan-
tagenets, the current of fashion ran constantly in favour of the great,
or managed Horse, and the amusements both of the court and people,
in which the Horse was a prime instrument, were universally of a mar-
tial nature; this may indeed be called the era of the great Horse ; nor is
it clear that such a practice as horse-racing at all prevailed, unless per-
haps, in the casual rencontres between individual horsemen at their
public meetings.

There is an old Latin tract extant, which describes Smoothjidd, planus
campus^' re ^- nomine (now Smithheld),as it was in the reign of Henry II,
a amooth field both in condition and natne. This field had been then
probably long used, both for the show and exercise of Horses, and had
become the chief theatre in the kingdom for the exhibition of fashion-
able horsemanship, as well as for the sale of all sorts of Horses. Ac-
cording to the above writer, Smoothfield was situated without one of
the gates of the city, and every Friday, the present market day for
Horses, exclusive of festivals on other days, there was a fine shew of
Horses for sale, of every variety in use, moving up and down in the
gayest condition. There were to be seen pacers or amblers and trotting
Horses, quickened by their jockeys to the best of their performance;
managed Horses dressed in the highest style of the times; draught
Horses of every description, and even young unbroke stock with mares>
in foal. Smithfield was at that period the general mart, and we must
consequently suppose, of much more <;onsiderable geometrical extent
than at this day : it doubtless communicated with the then adjoining
fields.

Persons of the highest rank, in those days, attended the Smithfield
meetings and sales, and the young men of the first families there mixed
with the citizens' sons in tilting matches, and mock fights, after the man-
ner

86

ner of the ancients. This appears to have been the chief school in
which the youth assembled in order to practise their martial lessons,
and it was customary every Sunday in Lent, after diimt-r, for troops well
mounted and armed with lances and shields, to issue through the city
gates for the field, where it \vas the fate of many a young hero to get
unhorsed by his superior or more fortunate antagonist, and to have at
least his dinner disturbed in his belly, if no worse mishap, Here, how-
ever, Ave have the strongest proof of the martial spirit of the times,
which perhaps the different mode of warfare since adopted, has con-
tributed to repress equally with the prevailing spirit of commerce.
Beside these warlike skirmishes, boys were set on horseback and rode
races, urging the Horses to their utmost exertions, to animate and en-
courage which, the spectators cheered them with loud shouts and accla-
mations. This kind of irregular racing was, it appears, the only one
in practice, until about the reign of Elizabeth, or perhaps somewhat
previous to her time.

From the reign of Athelstan, to the period of which we now speak,
a gradual improvement took place in the size and form of the English
Horses, the first and most valued class of which, were those calculated
for the parade and the troop ; the imported continental Horse, however,
alwaj^s took the precedence in price and estimation. Htreafter follow
such descriptions and appellations of the different classes, as have been
handed down from contemporary writers.

The first class was styled dediarius, or 7nagnus equus, the great
Horse, that is, the thoroughly dressed or managed Horse. Other
Horses for the saddle, Avere classed and distinguished as coursers, pal-
freys, amblers, nags, hacknies and ponies or hobbies. Those intended for
quick draught, Avere called great trotting Horses. There AAere also
great double trotting Horses for the saddle, the word double being
probably used in the same sense as at present; such of them as had
the tail shortened were styled curtah : clotli-sek and male-Horse, those
Avhich carried the cloak-bag and male. The gcntil Horse was that Avhich
Ave should noAv distinguish as a well-bred hackney, and the gamhaUh/nge
Horse, a charger, so named from the Italian word gaudm, a leg, Avhich
the managed Horse is able to use in the most graceful way, and put

forth

87

forth to the best advantage. In opposition to the usage and prejudice
of old times, a strong counter prejudice now generally existed against
the mare; and it was held disgraceful for a knight or gentleman to be
mounted upon a mare, an idea which it is said the Turks, Spaniards,
and some other countries still retain; indeed, which is still universally
acted upon, to a certain degree, since chargers are almost invariably
Horses or geldings, and the troops of all nations, the French perhaps
excepted, are always mounted on such.

The etymology of the Avord dextarius, applied to the managed Horse,
is from dextra, the Latin word for the right hand : in Italian destriere,
French destrier. The figure implies that these dextarii have been
thoroughly handled, dressed or managed. This seems a more radical
interpretation, than to derive the figure from the dextcritij with which
the managed Horse Avorks at the command of his rider; or from
the Horses being led into the lists, by the right hand of the grooms,
since a left-handed people is yet unknown. The Italian maneggiare,
or menage in French, and manage in English, is evidently derived from
the Latin mantis, a hand.

These dextarii were of the largest size which could be procured,
either on the continent or among the English-bred Horses, consistently
indeed with a certain degree of symmetry, which contributed both to
action and to elegance of figure, both which considerations were,
however, in those times necessarily postponed to the more important
ones of ability to stir under the immense dead weight of armour which
the Horses had to support. Doubtless it was often necessary for their
great Horses to be completely masters of more than thirty stone; they
were also required to be tall, probably upwards of sixteen hands in height.
The use which can be made of Southern blood in horse-breeding, and
the practicability of acquiring, either Avith or without crossing, a union
of symmetry and speed, divested of cumbrous and useless weight, is a
modern discovery, whence the great Horses of former days must have
been slow, unwieldy and shapeless animals. Nothing could be more
appropriate than the phrase in common professional use, of learning to
ride the great Horse : but modern horsemen will not so readily agree as
to the propriety of teaching those huge, elephantic animals to amble,

a pace

88

a pace which they were invariably taught, and which they no doubt
performed most nimbly and gracefully. Nor Avasthis practised merely
on account of the rough trot of such large and heavy Horses, since all
descriptions of saddle Horses were taught to amble, that most excellent
and useful pace the trot being almost entirely disused. It is left to the
reader's imagination, to draw forth of the dray stables of Messieurs
Whitbread and Meux, two squadrons, to be reviewed in Hyde-park,
upon the amble !

Beside the catuphracti, or heavy cavalry, light troops were then iti
use, as at present, styled in modern or bastard Latin hobkarii, from
their being mounted on hobbies. The light cavalry were probably in
-those days irregulars, which Avere mounted upon any procurable species
of Horses, without regard to size. The old English Avord hohbtj, noAV
nearly obsolete, poney being the present substitute, originated in the
French aubin or hobbin, that likcAvise being a derivative from the Italian
ubim. The term hackney, Avhich Ave still retain, has most probably been
adopted from the French AVord haquince, itself proceeding from the
Italian achinea, the former being introduced here by our Norman
conquerors.

The Coursers, we are to suppose, Avere their lightest, speediest and
best bred Horses; the nags, light road Horses; and the palfreys Aveve
such as carried ladies.

In the account of disbursements for King EdAvard's Avardrobe, Avhich
contains, among other articles, the expence of Horses bought in France,
there is an item for trammels, or those implements Avith Avhich Horses
are taught to amble or pace. In vulgar Latin, these Avere styled iraij-
melli,or //o^/ze///, supposed to be derived from the Italian AVord, tramenare,
to shake or wriggle, of such sort being the motion of the Horse in
pacing. This account was written in Latin, as Avere almost all memoirs,
as Avell as law deeds and prayers, in that pedantic age. There Avere,
according to Dr. Henry, even treatises for the instruction of iarmers
and their servants, doAvn to the SAvineherd, composed in Latin, and the
accounts of farms and dairies kept in the same language. Bishop Ken-
net, in his Parochial Antiquities, gives the following specimen of the
l^tin of 1400, in Avhich a dairy account Avas kept. " Pro iino, .siiiD-

89

COD empto llld. El pro iino cart-sadel, iino collro cum imo pari trac-
tiium emptis XlVcl. cjc. This reminds me of the facetious Latin of Swift,
andof some juvenile correspondence - in days long past — " Magister
GOMTUR ad Clai'am, si vis ambiilore mecum, veni derecliter." To return
to the trammels, they were made of yarn or strong list, and with those
the Horse's fore-legs were tied together, and he being forced forward in
that state, acquired in time that short wriggling and oblique mode of
progression called ambling. Trammels were also made of iron like fetters;
these, in course, yvexe fabricated hyihe ferrarii or soleari, the ferrers, or
shoers with iron, who must, of fashionable necessity, be described in
Latin. They also shod the hinder feet, with long and sometimes sharp
points, projecting from the toe, which co-operated, in the same intent,
with the trammels upon the fore-legs. What ridiculous pains, to harrass
and torture, and totally spoil the natural and excellent paces of the
•animal ! Polydore Virgil remarks, that the English did not affect the
trot, but excelled in the softer pace of the amble. For the credit of
modern common sense, the English of the present day, beyond all other
nations, are attached to the trot, and have lost even the remembrance
of the amble, for which they have wisely substituted that natural
and pleasant pace, the canter.

N SEC-

90

SECTION XIV

ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE THE BREED OF IIORStS, UNDEU 1 II T

HOUSE OF TUDOll IMPOLITIC, ALTHOUGH WELL INTENDED LAM'S

HORSE BREAD — DAWN OF VETERINARY IMPROVEMENT INTRODUCTION

OF KIDINCi-MASTERS AND FARRIERS FROM THE CONTINENT, 15V HENRV
VIII, AND ELIZABETH HORSE STEALERS CONDEMNED TO DEATH, WITH-
OUT BENEFIT OF CLERGY — FITZUERBERT, THE HORSE DOCTOR, THE EAR-
LIEST ENGLISH VETERI NARY WR ITE R STATE OF THE NATIONAL SXOCK

OF HORSES UNDER ELIZABETH HORSE-COURSING IN IHE FIELD.

FROM the great solicitude manifested by Henry VII. and
VIII. for an increase and improvement of the English breed of Horses,
which was attempted in those reigns, by various modes; and from the
subsequent complaints, which we find in Blundeville and other writers,
in the time of Queen Elizabeth, it may be presumed that under the
cruel, ruinous and absurd contentions between the rival houses of
York and Lancaster, the Horse had been neglected and suffered to
degenerate.

In the eleventh year of Henry VII, a bill was brought into Parlia-
ment, totally to prohibit the exportation of Horses, and a subsequent
act, in the same reign, was made to prevent the selling, exchanging, or
sending Horses or mares, into Scotland, which traffic it seems, pre-
vailed at that period, to a considerable degree; proving again the high
estimation in which the English breed was held by foreigners, and also
how such a fortunate circumstance, had it been we.l understood and
acted upon, might have both farther improved the breed, and in-
creased, instead of diminishing the numbers, to an endless amount.
But Henry and his parliament were, beyond all question sincere, and
even ardent in the business, and did their best, such as it was.

The former of those acts recited, that, not only a smaller number of
good Horses than in times past, were left within the realm, for defence

thereof,

91

thereof, but also that great and good plenty of the same, were in |)arts
beyond the sea, Avhich formerly were wont to be within this land;
whereby the price of Horses was greatly enhanced here, to the loss and
annoyance of all the king's subjects, within the same. The remedies
for this, prescribed by the act, were — that no Horse should be trans-
ported out of the kingdom upon pain of forfeiture of the same. Nor
any mare of the value of six shillings and eight-pence, without the
king's special license, nor any mare under such special license, of the
age of three yeai's, without paying of the king's custom of six shillings
and eight-})ence: and by another clause it was enacted, that if any
person will give for any of the mares so to be transported, seven shillings
each, it shall be lawful for him to take away the said mares for his own
use, if they had not been taken before by the king's (officer, nor the
king's license first obtained; it being lawful, notwithstanding, for any
<lenizen to transport Horses abroad for his own use, he making oath at
the time of shipping, that such Horses are not intended for sale.

A curious entry in the Journals of the House of Lords, in the sub-
sequent reign, demonstrates how earnestly they were engaged in the
project of improving the English breed of Horses to a larger size.
*' June 15th, 1540. IJocIie tandem Iccta estbilla educafioni eqiiorum pio-
cei'ioris statitrcE, Sj- communi omnium consensu, nemine discreppante, e.vpe-
dita." At length the bill is read this day, for encouraging the breed of
Horses of a larger stature, and dispatched with unanimous consent, and
without a dissentient voice.

The first law of Henry VIII. on this subject, directed that every
brood-mare should be at least fourteen hands iiigh, and the magistrates,
to whose care the execution of this law was entrusted, were empowered
to scour the wastes and commons at TMicliaelmas tide, and to put to
death all stallions below the act of Parliament standard, and all mares
of insulTicient size to breed good foals. This invasion of mens' right in
the direction of their own pro[)er concerns, which can be defended
only on the ground of the mutual ignorance of both the governors and
the governed, was followed by others, some of which appear even
Judicrous to modern apprehension.

N 2 Regulations

m

Regulations were made to adapt and compel Horse-breeding, upon
a scale of rank and circumstances. Every Archbishop and Duke was
obliged, under certain penalties, to keep seven trotting stone-horses
lor the saddle, each to be fourteen hands high, at the age of three
years. A graduated scale was set forth for other ranks, downwards,
with very minute directions; among which we fmd, that each person
having benefices to the amount of one hundred pounds yearly, or a
layman, whose wife shall wear any French hood, or velvet bonnet, are
obliged, under the penalty of twenty pounds, to keep one ' trottyngc
stone-horse,' of the stated size, for the saddle. All persons who had
j)arks, or proper enclosures, were directed to keep at least two brood-
mares. The fostering and scrutinizing care of this Horse-breeding
Parliament, extended even to the bread the animals ate, concerning
which certain regulations were made. In those days, instead of raw oats.
Horses were fed on baked bread, and pease were much used ; a custom
which continued in the running stables, I believe, until the reign of
George I.

By these powerful recommendations of the trotting Horse, it would
seem, that the fashion of pacing was on the wane, and the regulations
being carried into effect with great diligence, the consequence was a
universal improvement, in the size at least, of the native stock, and a
proportionate decrease of the breed of the hobbies, particularly in the
principality of Wales, which had, until that period, bred scarcely any
other species; and of the gonellies (hobbies) of Cornwall. The act
Avhich enforced the above regulations, was, however, partially repealed
in the eighth year of Elizabeth, as far as respected Cambridgeshire
and the fen counties, on their representation that their land, from its
moisture and Avant of firmness, Avas unable to carry stock of such
weight: and afterwards totally, in the twenty-first of James I.

Previously to the above regulations, Avhich, from their effects, Ave are
compelled to style salutary, it had been the general usage of the coun-
try, to sufier their ordinary herds of Horses, to run promiscuously,
stallions and mares together, and a comparatively Avorthless, ill-shaped
race of mongrels, Avas the natural result. This absence of all care

or

93

or knowledge in the business of the stud, indeed, continued among the
bulk of the country breeders, until the reign of Elizabeth, and doubt-
less long after in many parts, as appears by the Latin poem of Sir
Thomas Chaloner, written in 1579, and intituled De Republica Anglorum
instaurauda. This poem was written by Sir Thomas, whilst he was
ambassador in Spain, where probably he gleaned some useful veterinary
knowledge. He strongly censures the ignorance and folly of his coun-
trymen, for the necessity which they had so long imposed upon them-
selves, of having recourse to foreign parts for the superior species of
Horses, when in his opinion, and the event has evinced the soundness of
his judgement, their own country was capable of producing more use-
ful and beautiful than any other in the world. He counsels them to
separate the stallions, and coniine them in parks and enclosures. He
extols Henry to the skies, and equals him with Castor, for his consum-
mate skill in bodily exercises, but most particularlj^ in horsemanship.

This eulogium on Henry VHI, as far as horsemanship is concerned,
was, beyond all doubt, Avell merited; and to an ardent love of the
Horse, and just sense of his vast utility, both in that monarch and his
father, this nation is materially indebted for the grounds of improve-
ment in the general breed. The Tudors contributed their effectual
efforts to impart size, substance and usefulness to the English Horse;
the Stuarts, by their strong attachment to and patronage of the Course,
and by their various importations of stallions and mares, adapted to
breed for that purpose, laid the foundation of symmetry, speed and en-
durance, and of that proud superiority, Avhich the Horses of this coun-
try have long since maintained over every other breed upon earth
including those from which themselves have originated. The improve-
ment of the Horse seems, from the earliest times, to have been a
royal object, of Avhich our Athelstan, our Edwards, and our Henries,
as has been shown, are illustrious examples.

Henry VIII, we are informed, imported both Horses and mares
from Turkey, Spain, Naples, Flanders and Friezland, breeding for
various purposes, and stimulating his nobles and great landholders to
the same laudable exertions. This monarch went still farther: he had
\iewed with jealousy and regret, the superiority of the continental

manege

94

manege, and the continual obligation which his country had incurred
to foreign countries, for managed Horses. With the enhghtened view
of removing this national opprobrium, he proceeded at once to the
fountain head, by inviting to his court, on liberal terms, some of the
most distinguished riding-masters of the continent. Among these Avere
two scholars of the famous Pigtiatelli of Naples. They settled in En-
gland, and from one of them descended those celebrated riding-masters,
the Alexanders, who, according to the Duke of Newcastle, filled the
kingdom with horsemen. Henry also engaged an Italian farrier of
the name of Hannibale, long after quoted as a great authority, by our
writers in that line. Let us allow all that is justly due, to the character
of a king, in whose favour so little can be said.

An act of Parliament made in the next reign, clearly shewed the
opinion entertained by the legislature, of the high value of Horses.
Horse-stealers were deprived of the bejielit of clergy, that crime
being classed with house-breaking, sacrilege and murder.

The great men of Elizabeth's reign seemed fully disposed to profit
by the example and the injunctions of her father. The Earl of Leices-
ter, the queen's Master of the Horse, retained in his service, Clouclio
Curiio, an Italian, who wrote a treatise on the art of riding, Avhich is
yet extant. Sir Philip Sidney invited over and provided for the Signors
Prospero and Romano. The art of managing the Horse became a
universal accomplishment among the nobility and gentry of England,
but most of the possessors, both of equitation and farriery, were
foreigners.

This favourable disposition of the public mind towards the subject,
naturally produced writers on horsemanship amongst our own country-
men, who soon obtained an equal share of attention Avith Curtio, or as
he is sometimes called Cortc, Grison, and other foreigners, whose
books were in high estimation, and I believe published in England.
Fitzherbert, the horse-doctor, and his namesake the judge, had, in the
reign of Henry VII, led the way, as English veterinary writers, and
they were followed in the succeeding reigns by a host, of v> hom Blun-
deville, for the times in Avhich he lived, was truly respectable.

From

95

From that Avell-informed writer, indeed, we learn the exact state of the
ease, as it stood in the middle of Elizabetli's reign. Improvement had pro-
ceeded with considerable vigour amongst the great landed proprietors,
who had continued to breed from, and cross with German, Flanders,
Friczland, Hungarian and Neapolitan stock, for purposes which requir-
ed substance and weight, and with Turks, Barbs, Spanish jennets, and
Irish hobbies, for delicacy and speed. The two last, Blundeville
observes, were the best adajited to produce ambling nags, and the hob-
bies of Ireland, it seems, were a light species, with considerable shew of
blood, derived from the jennets of Spain. The English Horses were so
far improved, that this author quotes the circumstance of one winning
a wager by travelling four score miles in a day, and also notices the
fine form and appearance of some selected cart-horses, in which a con- -
siderable degree of emulation had began to shew itself On the whole,
however, the general breed was yet mean, there was still a want of
saddle-horses able to carry weight, and Queen Elizabeth, on the
threatened invasion, found the utmost difficulty in mounting a small
body of cavalry. " Great trotting Horses," as we have before seen,
were in much request, which Blundeville says, Avere the only species
adapted to war, the amblers being for pleasure and ease solely. He also
strongly recommends the produce of the Barb, both from speed and
stoutness, best calculated " to continue in such extreme exercises, as to
gallop the buck, or follow a long-winged hawk," which exercises, he
remarks, killed yearly in the realm, many a good gelding. Running
for wagers too is noticed by him, a practice which was soon after des-
tined to receive a regular and permanent national establishment.

Running Horses were not yet kept exclusively for such purpose, but
gentlemen matched their hunters or hacknies, usually riding the race
themselves. The most fashionable trial, however, for the speed and
goodness of their Horses, was hunting red herrings, or the train scent,
as it was then called, from the body of some animal which had been
previously drawn across hedge and ditch. Here the scent was certain
and hot, and the hounds would run upon it to the end, with their
utmost speed. The matched Florses followed these hounds, and to be in
with them, was generally accounted a very satisfactory proof of goodness.

Markhatn

96

Markham, in his Cavalarice, and that mirror of learned riding masters,
Michael Baret, descrihe also another mode of rnnning- matches across
the country, in their days, denominated the Wild-Goose chase, an imi-
tation of which has continued in occasional use to the present time,
under the name of steeple-hunting; that is to say, two horsemen, drunk
or sober, in or out of their wits, fix upon a steeple, or some eminent
distant object, to which they make a straight cut, over hedge, ditch and
gate, the devil take the hindmost. The w iid-goose chase was a more
regular thing, and it was prescribed, that after the Horses had run twelve
score yards, the foremost Horse was to be followed, wherever he went,
by the others, within a certain distance agreed upon, as twice or thrice
his length, or be beaten, or whipped up by the triers or judges. A Horse
being left behind twelve score, or any limited number of yards, was
deemed, beaten and lost the match. Sometimes it happened that a
Horse lost the lead, which was gained, and the chase won, by his stouter,
although less speedy antagonist; and the lead has often been alternately
lost and won, no doubt to the rapturous enjoyment of those who could
relish such laborious and dangerous amusement, which I fear were also
attended with disgusting circumstances of cruelty, in the triers beating
np the hindmost Horse.

These rude and barbarous modes of Horse-coursing gave way in the
succeeding reign, to the more scientific, accurate and satisfactory trials
of the Horse carrying stated weights, over the measured and even turf.
Yet this favourite English diversion was not established without opposi-
tion; and Lord Herbert, of Cherbury (Wal pole's Lives), seeing only
one side of the question, thus roundly condemns the turf. " The exer-
cise I do not approve of, is running of Horses, there being much cheat-
ing in that kind : neither do I see why a brave man should delight in a
creature, whose chief use is to keep him to run away." The noble
author might, however, have adverted to the situation in which we
should be placed, if every usage were abolished, in which cheating is
practicable, and speed in a Horse is surely no evil quality.

James I, in all probability, brought with him from Scotland, a strong
predilection for the turf, which must have been considerable in that
country, since, during his reign there, and before his accession to the

crown

97

crown of England, it was found necessary to restrain, by an express
law, the too prevailing passion of the Scots for horse-racing, and laying
large bets on the event. By this la^, no man was permitted to win
above one hundred marks, the surplus being declared the property of
the poor; the collector, sheriff, or justices being bound to prosecute
on information, or forfeit double the amount. An act was also passed
in Scotland, in the same reign, to restrain all ordinary persons from
keeping Horses at hard meat, between the 15th of May and 15th of
October, that practice being held one, * among other occasions of dearth
of victuals.' Earls, prelates, lords, or great barons, or any of his
Highness's privy-council or session, and landed gentlemen, who could
spend of their own one thousand marks of yearly rent, all charges
deducted, were however excepted.

In a former reign, that of James III, the following singular and
admonitory law was made, respecting the shoers of Horses. It was
ordained, that every farrier, who, in shoeing, pricked a Horse's foot,
through ignorance or drunkenness, should deposit the price of the
Horse, until he were sound, and in the interim, furnish the owner
with another Horse; the pricked Horse not being cured, the owner to
be indemnified by the farrier. Scotland, as early as the reign of the first
James, must have possessed a breed of Horses of considerable repute,
since it was then found necessary to restrain their exportation by law.
And in the reign of James VJ, when the demand for foreign parts,
Y>a.rticu\ar\y BowdeaiLT, was so great as to occasion a scarcity and
dearth of Horses in Scotland, it was prohibited by law, to transport out
of the realm any Horse whatever, on pain of forfeiture to the king
of such Horse, and likewise the ship and goods of the transporter.

During the reign then of the pacific and luxurious James, horse-
racing, previously only an irregular and occasional diversion, may
be said to have become general and national, and to have at once
appeared nearly in the same style, as to essentials, as we view it in
the present times. Races were called Ball-Courses, of the etymology of
which term, a hint has been already given. Regular prizes Avere now
run for in various parts of England, but with most eclat in Yorkshire,
particularly at Garterly ; and at Croydon and Enfield, in the vicinity

o of

98

of the metropolis, where the King and his court frequently attended.
Newmarket was not yet the theatre of any regular racing, although
it had been for centuries esteemed and frequented, as one of the most
favourite spots in England for hunting and hawking.

How far the science of Turf manege, arrangement and wagering,
may have been understood and practised by individuals, previously to
this period, is uncertain; but we know that it then became general, and
accompanied with almost every circumstance of technical accuracy.
Pedigrees were recorded and produced to enhance the reputation
and worth of" those Horses, which were . descended from progeni-
tors of known goodness, although it is not probable, that such a race
as we now esteem the only thorough breed, could, at so early a period,
have been obtained. Perhaps, any well-shaped, blood-like, and active
Horses were then received as legitimate racers. The training discipline,
'in all its variety of regular food, clothing, physic, airings, gallops and
sweats, were in full use, and indeed, always overdone. The weights
were adjusted which the Race-horses had to carry, and the most usual
weight was ten stone. Classical learning having long prevailed, the
science of pedigrees, and the regulated practice of the course, had be-
come familiar with Greek and Roman literature; but much has been
superadded by English ingenuity ; England is indeed the mother
country of modern Olympics.

The first Arabian which had ever been known as such, in England,
was purchased by the royal jockey, of a Mr. Markham, a merchant,
at the price of five hundred pounds. That illustrious master of the
science of equitation, the Duke of Newcastle, in his treatise, describes
this Arab as a little bay Horse, of ordinary shape, and judges he was
good for nothing, because being trained and started, he could not race,
but was beaten by every Horse which ran against him ; whence his
Grace found an additional argument against the truth of these stories,
so often propagated, of the vast powers of the Arabian Horses. In all
this, Berenger backs his Grace ; but, ' the gunner to his linstock,'— both
the noble Duke and Berenger, although excellent riding-masters, were
infiirior jockies, and unaware, that it is not the forte of the southern
Horse to run himself, but to get runners: nevertheless, the Horse in

question

99

question might be bad enough, nor do I immediately recollect that he
has stood his ground in our pedigrees. As to the wonder expressed, that
Arabian Horses should not have been earlier brought into England, it
is merely perhaps, that the name was omitted, as Arabs were generally
sold in those markets of the Levant, where Horses were purchased for
Europe; and there can belittle doubt, that the Arabian breed wasdispers-
ed throughout Europe, centuries previous to the reign of James ; but
doubtless at that period, their presumed superiority, as Coursers, over
every other race, was first discovered. The supposed unfavourable
event of the first trial, might perhaps, in some degree, tend to throw
the Arabians in the back ground of the course, and I believe that
thereafter, throughout the whok century, and even until the time of the
Darley Arabian, the Barbary Horses generally held the first place in
the estimation of our turf breeders.

Prince Henry, of whom history gives an excellent, and I judge,
faithful report, was a great lover of the Horse, but without that bias
to the turf, which distinguished his royal father, being more particu-
larly attached to the military manege, in which he was a great proficient.
Henry the Great of France sent over to this promising young prince,
one of his most famous riding-masters, named St. Antoine, for whom
a riding house was built in St. James's palace. This prince was a con-
siderable breeder, and founded several studs.

The unfortunate Charles, for whose memory I caught an atfectionate
prejudice in my youth, which still hangs about my heart, was, like
his brother, rather inclined to the riding school and the parade than
to the turf But exclusive of the want of royal countenance, horse-
racing could not flourish and extend itself, in a country torn by civil
dissention, and bathed in kindred blood. Such was England in those
turbulent times. In the third year of his reign, Charles issued an or-
donance, enjoining the substitution of bits, or curbs, for snaffles,
which had probably been of late introduced into the army, by the
prevailing taste for racing; snaffles being allowed by the proclamation,
in times of disport only. Three years afterwards, the king granted a
special license to William Smith and others, to import into this king-
dom, Horses, mares and geldings; farther enjoining them to provide

o 2 coach"

100

coach-horses, coach-mares and coach-geldings, not under the height of
fourteen hands, under the age of three years, nor exceeding seven.
This import, by the description, was doubtless made from the opposite
continent.

Every period which passes in review, serves to demonstrate the pro-
gressive improvement of the English Horse, and the opinion in which
he was held by foreigners. In the reign of Charles, that very consi-
derable demand for English Horses commenced in France, which has
ever since continued, except during the interruption of wars. Bassom-
piere, in his memoirs, gives an account of a very considerable number
of these Horses, introduced into France, at a particular period. He
says, the court was at Fontainbleau, and deep play being the rage,
and the circulation of counters, from hand to hand, very sj^eedy and
rapid, they were nick-named, quinterots, or English Horses, which had
been so called, from the name of the man, who, the year before, had
brought them into France : adding, that their wonderful speed, before
unknown, occasioned them ever afterwards to be em|iloyed in hunting
and journeys. English Horses now began to be exported into Holland
and Germany, and even into Austria, Hungary and Poland. The Eng-
lish method of treatment passed with the Horses themselves, into
France and other countries ; and our jockey sj'stem, or the management
of our racing and hunting Horses, was particularly commended in the
Maison Rustiqiie.

This commerce however, being illicit, seems to have been winked at
by government, since we find by an extract from the Journals of the
House of Lords in 1645, that liberty Avas granted to the agent of the
Duke of Orleans, to transport to France twelve Horses, but no mares.
Probably it had been of late thought necessary to check the expor-
tation, an idea which is countenanced by Sir Edward Harwood's me-
morial to his Majesty, touching the state of the kingdom, wherein is
set forth the then great deficiency of good and stout Horses for its
defence, insomuch that it was a question, whether the whole kingdom
could furnish two thousand, wliich would be equal to two thousand
French Horse. This evil Sir Edward attributed to the strong addic-f
tion of the country to hunting and running Horses, which were bred

only

101

only for speed, and were of" too light and weak a mould for the military
service. As a remedy for this, he proposed to noblemen and gentle-
men, to change their stock, and instead of breeding for bells (the
turf) to keep stronger stallions, that the produce might be fit for war,
and which, with their riders, might be trained to military exercises.
There is a degree of plausibility in this advice, which has been often
since repeated, and on which a few remarks may be made by and by.

Although the exhibitions of the Turf were suspended by the civil wars,
or indulged but in an occasional and inferior degree, and even an ordinary
war has ever something of that effect, the principle of racing retained
a strong hold on the minds of the English people, and breeding for the
Course proceeded to such an extent, as to raise a decent stock of Race-
horses for the ap[)roaching jubilee of the Restoration. Even the cant-
ing and hypocritical Cromwell could mix the cares of his salvation
with those of profane and Avorldly sports, and as well as his grooms,
jockies and whippers-in of the conventicle, had those of the breeding
stud! If he had Hugh Peters in one capacity, he had also Richard
Place in the other as his stud-master. Mr. Place was proprietor of
the famous white Turk, the sire of Wormwood and Commoner, and
of several capital brood mares, one of which, a great favourite, he
concealed in a vault, during the search after Cromwell's effects at the
Restoration, whence she afterwards took the name of the Coffin Mare,
and as such she stands in various pedigrees. 1 know of no pedigrees
traceable beyond Place's White Turk, and the Morocco Barb of the
Lord General Fairfax, unless amongst those engraved on the cups or
howls won in the following reign, some of which may be yet preserved
in our old racing families.

Charles II. inherited all his grandfather's love for the turf, and as
his uncle and his father were strongly attached to the military manege,
and in that line, were the most skilful horsemen of their time, so
Charles was equally partial to the Course, and no less skilled as a
jockey. Indeed a contemporary French Traveller ( Monconny ) says,
that this king set no value whatever on managed Horses, and that
thence, his stables were fort mnlgarnies. The king had plainly one
hobby Horse, the traveller another. If we style James the father of

the

102

the turf, nothing can be more just than to recognize Charles II, as its
grand foster-father. This monarch, so sedulous in the business of his
pleasures, patronized that of horse-racing, by bestowing public prizes
and rewards, and strongly promoting it by his royal example, himself
becoming a constant and regular candidate, and entering Horses in his
own name. And that the most important materials of the sport might
not be deficient, Charles, as has been said, dispatched his Master of
the Horse, either Sir John Fenwick or Sir Christopher Wyvill, into
foreign parts, in order to purchase brood mares and stallions. Those
imported were chiefly Barbs and Turks, and from the royal mares,
are descended many of the best racers of the present time. In this
reign, the act of Henry VII prohibiting the exportation of Horses,
was repealed, and permission was granted to export them, on payment
of a duty of five shillings each.

Early in the former reign, and previously to the breaking out of the
civil war, the number of places in which horse-races Avere held, had
considerably increased. They formed a part of the spring diversions
in Hyde-park, and racing, as well as hunting, was frequent at New-
market. Matching their Horses against time, had also become a
favourite practice amongst the English; and the above-mentioned
French traveller relates, that Mr. Germain, a nephew of the Lord
St. Albans, won his match by riding a little black Horse, eighteen
miles in fifty-iive minutes; nine miles out, and nine home. Also, that
another gentleman won a twenty -mile match, in the same time, offering
to take the same bet and start again immediately.

Charles, soon after his return, re-established the races at Newmarket,
dividing them into regular meetings, and substituting, both there and
in other places, silver cups or bowls of the value of one hundred
guineas, his royal gift for the ancient bells, which were then generally
dropped both in name and effect. He also repaired the old hunting
seat at Newmarket, which had been frequented by former kings, and
which, from his days, has been called the King's-House, several of the
sovereigns, since, having resided in it during the meetings; and from
the example of Charles, a royal racing stud has since been kept at
Ne\\ market, with the appointment of a master of the Horses. Much

of

103

of the arrangement, and many of the rules and regulations of racing,
as they stand at present, had their origin during the reign of this king;
and to his royal patronage, conjointly, with the unrivalled aptitude of
the place itself, Newmarket, the English Olympia, owes that celebrity
which will endure to the remotest ages.

James II, was likewise much attached to sports, particularly those of
the field, and shewed a strong partiality for his own country Horses,
during his residence in France. The racing stallions most in vogue,
during these two reigns were — The Helmsley Turk, the property of
the Duke of Buckingham, and sire of Bustler and various other racing
stock. DoDSWORTH, a Barb foaled in England, his dam a royal im-
ported mare, which mare bred Vixen by the Helmsley Turk. The
Taffolet Barb. The White-legged Lowther Barb. The Strad-
MNG or Lister Turk, brought into England by the Duke of Berwick,
from the siege of Buda, in the reign of James II. He was the sire
of Snake, Brisk, Piping-peg, Coneyskins, &c.

William III, as might be expected in a martial monarch and a
foreigner, was more inclined to the managed Horse, than to the Race-
horse, and founded a riding academy, at the head of which he placed
Major Foubert, a very able professor, whom he had invited from
France. This school was probably situated near Carnaby-market,
London, a passage leading to which, has borne the Major's name to
this day.

King William, however, did not discourage the Turf, on the con-
trary he made an addition to the royal plates. In his reign were in-
troduced, as stallions ; the Oglethorpe Arabian ; and the Byer-
ley Turk, which had been Captain Byerley's charger in the Irish war.
From this Horse proceeded Sprite, Black-Hearty, Archer, Basto, Grass-
hopper, the Byerley Gelding, Jigg, Knightley's mare and others.
Greyhound foaled in Barbary, the colt, sire and dam being there
purchased by Mr. Marshal, stud-master to the King, and afterwards
to Queen Ann and George I, together with the Moonah Barb mare,
and a white Barb, afterwards the property of Mr. Hutton. The sire
was a white Barb named Chillaby, and the dam Sliigei/, which signifies
Greyhound. Greyhound got Othello, Whitefbot, Osmyn, Rake, Samp-
son,

104

son, Goliath, and Favourite, twelve stone plate Horses. Desdemona
and others; many of the best mares in the country, having bred from
him. The D'Arcy white and yellow Turks, from which sprang
old Hautboy, Grey Royal, Cannon, Spanker, Brimmer, &c. The
Marshal, or Selaby Turk, sire of the Curwen Old Spot.

The reign of Queen Anne was as favourable to the Turf as any which
had preceded, or have succeeded it. Her majesty had a fine stud of
Horses, and her royal consort George, Prince of Denmark, was a
great amateur of horse-racing. The Prince obtained from her majesty
grants of royal plates for several places. In this reign sportsmen bred
from The Curwen Bay Barb, The Thou louse Barb, Croft's Bay
Barb, a son of Chillaby, the famous Darley Arabian, sire of Flying
Childers, The Leeds and Woodstock Arabians, Williams's Turk,
called also The Honeywood white Arabian, the St. Victor's Barb,
Cole's Barb, and from many others.

Mr. Darley, of a sporting family in Yorkshire, being a mercantile
agent in the Levant, and belonging to a hunting club, probably at
Aleppo, made interest to purchase a Horse, one of the most valuable
ever imported into England, and which fully established the worth of
the Arabian breed, which had suffered in reputation, either from, the
presumed, or real worthlessness of the Horse purchased of Markham,
by King James the First. Between these periods, few or no Arabians had
been imported, but subsequently to Mr. Darley's successful speculation,
their numbers have been considerable, and to some of them we are
indebted for a part of the best racing stock in the country.

The current of fashion running very strong in favour of Horse-racing
during the Queen's reign, and the diversion being much countenanced
by the court, have given rise to an opinion, that too much attention
Avas bestowed in those days on the racing-breed, to the prejudice of the
more immediately serviceable varieties of the Horse. In a small pub-
lication, of the date of 1769, on the subject of horse-races and their pro-
gress, the author, following the opinion of Sir Edward Harwood already
noticed, observes, that in the reign of Queen Anne, gentlemen ' bred
their Horses so fine for the sake of speed only,' that they became
quite useless; when a public-spirited gentleman, aware of this error, be-
queathed

105

queathed in his will thirteen hundred guineas, to be run for, as plates
or prizes, in thirteen different places appointed by the crown, each
Horse to carry the weight of twelve stones four-mile heats. Some
gentleman of that time, might probably talk of such a bequest, but
no proof of its being carried into effect, ever existed ; on the contrary,
the disbursements for all the royal plates, it is said, are to be regularly
traced in the registers of the Lord Chamberlain, of the King's Master
of the Horse, and at the Jewel Office.

. With respect to the idea of breeding horses fine or slender, with the
view of having them more speedy on that account, a notion often pro-
pagated, it can proceed only from those who have no sort of acquaint-
ance with the business of the turf; and the supposition has arisen
merely from the general comparative fineness of the southern Horse.
No breeder of Racers, I believe, does, or ever did, aim at breeding
slender stock, but invariably the contrary; nor are speed and slenderness
necessarily connected in the Racers, for it often happens, perhaps
somewhat more than often, that the largest and heaviest Horses have
most speed, and the lightest and finest the most stoutness. Nor do I
apprehend, that any regulation of the weights to be carried by Race-
horses, has ever had the smallest effect on the breeder's plan, who have
invariably aimed, and independently of any such stimulus, to obtain
large-sized colts. It might very well happen in the times of which
we now speak, and it has often happened since, to the mortification
and disappointment of the breeders, that much of their racing-stock,
particularly the fillies, have proved light and with too little bone, and
as they cannot be all expected to race, those turned out of training
were almost worthless, as unfit for any useful purpose. I have not
heard, that the public were generally in distress for Horses of the use-
ful kind, and under the necessity of putting up with the slender refuse
of the turf, in Queen Anne's reign ; but I do believe that the few
scientific breeders, then as now, would breed none but Racers, leaving
the propagation of the common species in general to those, the weight
of whose knowledge of what they were about, did not much oppress
their brains.

1 am uninformed, whether his Majesty King George the First took

p any

106

any interest in the sports of the course, or whether he frequented New-
market; but towards the latter end of that reign, the very useful
change took place, of the royal plates into purses of one hundred
guineas. A sporting gentleman Avho has won a purse of hard guineas,.
may, with the utmost facility, devote any part or the whole of it, to
the purpose of a cup or bowl, commemorative of the victory of hi*
Horse; and emblazoned with his pedigree. Such is a fair option, but
it does not quite so well reimburse the heavy charges of breeding,
training and travelling, to accept a silver cup, on sale of which, there
must, perhaps, be a discount of twenty gumeas from the alleged value ;
and if the old royal cups w'ere lumping weight, we know that is not
always the case with the modern subscription ones;

In the thirteenth year of George II, an act passed for the suppression
of poney races, or of small and weak Horses. By this act it was-
forbidden to run any race for a less prize than fifty pounds, and each
Horse, if five years old, must carry ten stone ; if six, eleven ; and if
seven, twelve stone. This law was intended, it is said, to have a two-
fold good effect, to wit, the discouragement of dissipation amongst the
lower classes, and of the small and weak breeds of Horses. It is, at the
first blush, an act of superfluous and useless legislation.

About the year 1730, the following foreign covering stallions were
kept in this country, The Alcock Arabian, the Bloody-Shouldered
Arabian, the Belgrade Turk, taken at the siege of that place, Bethell's
Arabian, Burlington Barb, Croft's Egyptian Horse, Tarran's Black
Barb, Cyprus Arabian, Devonshire Arabian, Hampton Court Grey
Barb, Godolphin Arabian, Hall's Arabian, Johnson's Turk, Litton's
Chesnut Arabian, Matthew's Persian, Nottingham's Arabian, New-
ton's Arabian, Pigot's Turk, Strickland's Arabian, Wynn's Arabian,
the Lonsdale Bay Arabian.

At the same time, the following capital English thorough-bred Horses
covered, with many of less note, btside a great number of half-bred,
or chapmen's stallions. Bay Bolton, the Bald Galloway, Aleppo,
Almanzor, Basto, Bloody Buttocks (pedigree unknown), Bartlet's Chil-
ders, Bolton Starling, Crab, Cartouch, Flying Childers, Chaunteri
Blacklegs, Fox, Greyhound, Hartley's blind Horse, Hampton Court

Childers,

Ii07

Childers, Hutton's Grey Childers, Hobgoblin, Jigg, Whitenose, Ma-
Tiica, Lamprey, Partner, Royal, Sorehcels, Small's Childers, Tifter,
Woodcock, Young Belgrade, and Young True Blue.

Since the above period, we have had the Compton Barb, or Sedley
Arabian, the Cullen, Coomb, Gibson, Bell, Damascus, Northumber-
land, Vernon, Oxlade, Newcombe, and many other Arabians, some
Barbs, and other foreign Horses, In a recommendatory advertise-
ment of the Damascus Arabian, it was stated, that he was of * the
purest Arabian breed, without any mixture of the Turcoman or Barb :'
which shews the fashionable opinion in 1773.

But the fame of the two great Arabians, the Darley and Godolphin,
has almost swallowed up that of all the rest ; and our best Horses, for
nearly a century past, have been either deeply imbued with their blood,
or entirely derived from it. They have produced stock of vast size,
bone, and substance, and at the same time endowed with such extra-
ordinary, and before unheard-of powers of Jspeed and continuance, as
to render it probable that individuals of them have reached nature's
goal, or ultimate point of perfection. The descendants of these Ara-
bians have rendered the English coursers superior to all others, not
only in the race, where indeed he had long excelled, but as breeding
stock ; and this country has no longer any need of foreign supply, the
breed being fully established both in quality of blood and sufficiency
of numbers. This cause has indeed long operated against the many
foreign Horses which have been introduced, and which have all, since
the Godolphin Arabian, proved vastly inferior to our native stallions.
In all probability, they have been, the far greater part, of mixed or
spurious races ; nor can the import of such Horses, at a risk, possibly
render any fair chance of utility or profit at the present time. Never-
theless, like the purchaser of a lottery ticket, by the twenty thousand
pound prize, the importer of a Horse from the Levant, expects to draw
a Godolphin Arabian; a chance certainly not impossible.

To such of my readers as are unacquainted with the short history of
that justly celebrated Horse, the following particulars respecting him
will not be unacceptable. He was in colour a brown bay, somewhat
mottled on the buttocks and crest, but with no white, excepting the

P 2 off:

108

off-heel behind ; about fifteen hands high, Avith good bone and sub-
stance. His portrait, by Seymour, was placed in the library at Cog
Magog, in Cambridgeshire, the seat of Lord Godolphin. Of this pic-
ture it may be presumed the famous one of the late Mr. Stubbs was a
copy, and which sold at Stubbs's sale for two hundred and forty-six
guineas. It is doubtless an admirable piece ; but the artists say that
Stubbs saw all proportions through magnifying optics, and that the
crest of the Horse is quite out of nature. However, from all accounts,
and in the various representations 1 have seen of this remarkable
Horse, his crest was exceedingly large, swelling, and elevated, his
neck elegantly curved at the setting on of the head, and his muzzle
very fine. He had considerable length ; his capacious shoulders were
in the true declining position ; and of every part materially contribu-
tory to action, nature had allowed him an ample measure : add to
this, there is in his tout ensemble, the express image of a wild animal,
such as we may suppose the Horse of the desert. Certainly the
Horse was no beauty ; but with his peculiar and interesting figure
before me, I cannot help wondering, that it should not occur to his
noble proprietor, a true sportsman as he was, that the Arabian might
be Avorthy of a trial as a stallion.

This Horse was imported by Mr. Coke, as I have been informed,
from Barbary, without any pedigree, but with the notice that he was
foaled in 1724. Mr. Coke gave him to Mr. Williams, keeper of the
St. James's Coftee-house, who presented him to the Eavl of Godol-
phin. In this noble lord's stud he was kept as teazer to Hobgoblin,
during the years 1750 and 1731, Avhen, that stalhon refusing to cover
Roxana, she was covered by the Arabian, the produce of which was
Lath, not only a very elegant and beautiful Horse, but, in the general
opinion, the best which had appeared upon the turf since Flying Chil-
ders. The Arabian served for the remainder of his life in the same stud,
producing a yearly succession of prodigies of the species. He died in
1753, in his twenty-ninth year, and his remains were deposited in a
covered passage leading to the stable, a flat and thankless stone, bare
of any inscription, being placed over him. The mutual attachment
of animals of a different genus, when i)laced in a state of society, has

often

109

often been remarked. Thus there was a reciprocal affection, of many
years standing, between the Godolphin Arabian and a black cat, and
a portrait of the cat was taken with that of the Horse. Poor puss
would not long survive her friend. She placed herself, seemingly in a
mournful attitude, upon his dead carcase, where she remained fixed
until it was removed from the building, then followed it to the place of
burial under the gateway near the running stable, sat upon it whilst it
continued above ground, and afterwards crawled slowly and reluctantly
away, and was never seen again, until her dead body was found in the
hay-loft. The savage Chillaby, afterwards tamed at the Circus by
Hughes, and Mr. O'Kelly's Dungannon, each took a fancy to a lamb,
which they had as their constant companions.

No pedigree, it has been stated, was obtained with this Horse, nor
the least item given, as to the country where he was bred ; but it was
suspected that he was stolen. That he was a Barb, and not an Ara-
bian, I am the more convinced, every time I contemplate his portrait.
As to the name or breed assigned to these foreign Horses, by their pur-
chasers and importers, it is of the smallest consequence. They either
take such name implicitly, as given by the seller, perhaps no better
informed than themselves, or name the animal from the country,
where, by chance, he is purchased. Thus, if a Horse be purchased
in Turkey, he is styled a Turk, although perhaps brought from Arabia
to the Turkish market, or bred in Turkey, from Arabian, or other
foreign stock. And among us sometimes, all southern Horses are
called Arabians. The Compton Barb was more commonly called the
Sedley Arabian ; and Sir John Williams' Turlc, the Houywood Ara-
bian.

The following famous Horses, some of which were of great size and
powers, besides many others, with a great number of capital racing
and brood-mares, descended from the Godolphin Arabian: Lath,
Cade, Regulus, Babram, Blank, Dismal, Bajazet, Tamerlane, Tarquin,
Phoenix, Slug, Blossom, Dormouse, Skevvball, Sultan, Old England,
Noble, The Gower Stallion, Godolphin Colt, Cripple, Entrance.
The Darley Arabian got Flying Childers, Bleeding, (afterwards

called

110

called Bartlet's Childers,) Almanzor, Whitelegs, Cupid, Brisk, Dseda-
lus, Skipjack, Manica, Aleppo, BuUyrock, Whistlejacket, Dart, &c.
This horse had not that variety of mares, which annually poured in
upon the Godolphin Arabian ; indeed he covered very few, excepting
those of Mr. Darley, his pj-oprietor ; but from those sprung the largest
and the speediest race-horses which were ever known. Flying Chil-
ders and Eclipse, the swiftest, beyond a doubt, of all quadrupeds,
were the son, and great grandson of this Arabian, from which
also, through Childers and Blaze, descended Sampson, the strongest
Horse that ever raced before or since his time, and entitled to equal
pre-eminence, if viewed as a hackney or hunter. Sam|)son was fifteen
hands and a half in height, and his admeasurement in the legs, as
taken by his proprietor, the lord Marquis of Rockingham, was as fol-
lows :
Dimensions of the fore-leg, from the hair of the hoof, to

the middle of the fetlock joint - - - 4 inches.

From the fetlock joint to the bend of the knee - 11 do.

the bend of the knee to the elbow - - - 19 do.

round his leg below the knee, narrowest part - 8 J do.

round his hind leg, narrowest part - - 9 do.

Lord Clement's Fircaway, by Squirrel, I thought, came as near to
the above, as any Horse upon the turf; but I had not the precaution
to measure his leg, although I handled it with admiration. These
examples, and indeed the size of the general run of covering stallions,
will serve to demonstrate, that race-horses are not those spider-legged
animals which they are supposed by superficial observers.

The importation of heavy draught stock from the continent, has
never ceased for many centuries, and continues occasionally, with the
variation, that of late, scarcely any but mares, and some few geldings,
are imported, and those chiefly from Flanders. Very few foreign
coach-horses are now used in England ; but a considerable number of
German cavalry Horses have been seen in the country during the late
and present war. Indeed, his Majesty has always kept a number of
Hanoverian Horses ; and for the parade, the continental Florse, as

formerly,
formerly,

Ill

formerly, is still preferred to the English, and I think with justice-.
From Ireland alone, we import any saddle Horses, as many perhaps as'
lifteeen hundred in a year; upwards,- in some years.

The exportation of Horses has been, more particularly Avithin the
last forty years, a considerable branch of commerce, and an article of
account in our agricultural produce. The chief markets have been
Russia, France, Austria, the United States of America, the West-India
Islands, and our settlements in India. The sorts usually exported, arc
bred and three-part bred stallions, some mares, and shewy nags for the
saddle. With the unlimited allowance to export, the number of our
Horses have had an astonishing increase, that any idea of a want of''
Horses in this country, excepting indeed of good ones, has-been long
out of memory ; and extensive as our breed already is, we have ample
and spare room to increase it in a degree commensurate with a far'
more extensive exportation, and yet retain an abundant home supply.
Adam Smith has arisen to enlighten our darkness, and I trust, to pre-
vent our ever being again so far benighted, as to dream that restraints'
on exportation were the proper media of promoting plenty of Horses.
A very respectable niunber of dreamers, however, yet exists. I am
still somewhat in the dark on this subject. No impediment to getting'
any number of Horses out of the kingdom, has ever come to my know-
ledge; yet some few years since, I was informed by a gentleman in
the Customs, that they could not legally go out of the port of London,
but that the export was carried on by sufferance, and against law, from
the other ports. Has then the act of Charles II. permitting the export
of Horses, at a duty of live shillings, been repealed ? I humbly con-
ceive it would ha\'e been far more beneficial to the country, and pro-
motive of plenty in the article, to have repealed the duty only, and to
suffer people, unmolested, to send their own Horses to the best market
they' can find, whether art home or abroad. That admirable lesson,
laisser nous f aire, has been a long time in learning : there seems to be
something so sweet in meddling, even when we do mischief

Every useful variety of the Horse has been long bred in this coun-
try, from the black Horse, the giant of his kind, to the dwarf or poney.
The characteristics of the English Horse are strength and speed ; in
' • their

112

their form, length, and in the best of them, symmetry : but there is in
them generally a coolness, sedateness, and want of grace, which indi-
cates their greater aptitude to solid use, than to parade and shew. A
mixture of all nations, like their masters, they seem to have caught the
same spirit and manner, as it were from the soil, or from that mixture.
Many of them, however, are models of beauty and delicacy. The
breed of ponies and forresters has long been on the decrease, although
many are still bred in Wales, and the western parts of England. I
know nothing peculiar in the Scots Horses, nor that horse-breeding
is much pursued in that country. There is a small breed, I under-
stand, upon the Isle of Man. Ireland has bred some good racers ;
and the generality of Irish Horses are, it appears, warmer-tempered
than our own ; and to use the expression, sharper and more frigate-
built.

So long ago as the time in which Mr. Cambridge wrote his account
of the War in India, good Persian Horses often fetched the price of one
thousand guineas each; the native Indian, although at that time selling
fi-om fifty to one hundred pounds a head, being of little worth. Such
were doubtless very sufficient motives for the establishment of those
considerable breeding studs, which our India Company possess in
Bengal. From those studs, I understand, they mount a considerable
part of their cavalry. They have had also for some time past, a stud
in England, near Rumford, Essex, where they breed stallions for the
supply of their studs in India. Such of them as 1 have seen, destined
for that purpose, were shewy, three-part bred]Horses.

United America has a breed descended from our own. In the time
of the war, some British officers, my old friends, who served there,
reported the American Horses to me, as generally a light kind of cat-
hammed half-breds, deficient in size and substance. The draught
cattle mean. The Americans have since been in the habit of importing
some of our best racing stallions ; and probably, from their commenced
intercourse Avith the Barbary States, have obtained also some breeding-
stock from that country. We have accounts of horse-races at Wash-
ington, and other places in America, but none, at least none have
reached me, of the merits of their race-horses. Kentucky, and some

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of the new settlements, are said to be rearing a famous breed of
Horses, with what truth I cannot answer. Some years ago it was
said, there was a breed of natural, padders in New England, which
•were originally derived from this country, and that they ran the pace
with superior speed, exactness and safety, to any other breed, on which
account they were much valued.

The Breeding Stud.

The business of breeding Horses, is divided into the chance-medley
and sj^stematic species. The first, common over the whole country, is
the annual or occasional breeding of a foal or two, for a man's own
convenience or pleasure, for which, of course, no extra preparations
are made, or much reflection bestowed, farther than to make use of any
mare which may chance to be in possession, and of any Horse which
the vicinity affords, or custom may present. It is usual however, to go
so far with regard to the stallion, as to make an election between the
cart and saddle-horse, but the mare occasions no consideration : it is
sufficient she is a mare. It must yet be acknowledged, that in some,
which are not breeding districts, the farmers encourage the annual
visits of w^ell-bred and handsome Horses, and many of them riding
well-shaped hackney-mares, a few good Horses are bred amongst them,
equal to any to be found in the regular breedmg countries.

Systematic breeding and the formation of regular studs, has been
proved of the highest antiquity. It is as old as civilization in this
country, and is conducted at present, either in the studs of the great
land-holders, or by farmers, in those styled breeding countries, that is,
where custom has made horse-breeding a part of the farming business.
Such plan has been generally introduced by the fitness of the country, as
having plenty of grass and an extensive range, perhaps, of heath or,
waste, and by the neighbourhood of great breeders and sportsmen. The
latter, particularly in the present times, confine themselves, with few ex-
ceptions, to breeding for the turf, and for a national suppl}'^ of thorough-
bred stallions: by the former, the country is furnished with every use;
ful variety of the Horse. The breeding of foresters used formerly to

Q. be

114

be a regular thing done upon a large scale. Some individuals breed
considerable numbers of mules for exportation.

Blundeville has given us the following, as leading requisites in the
foundation of a stud, and being grounded on true principles and com-
mon sense, they will never cease to be useful, whatever changeful
Fashion may determine.

The Land to be dry and sound, the harder the better, provided
it be fertile; irregularity of surface a recommendation. Fresh springs
or streams, shade and shelter, either of trees or lofty and thick fences.
Extensive range. Sufficient number of inclosures, both for each
species which it is necessary to keep separate, and to prevent too great
a number of any being crouded together. Houses, sheds, or hovels
in the inclosures. Soft and sweet herbage, also the long and most
succulent species for the milch mares. A reserve of kept grass for
SHROVETIDE, to keep off the hunger-halne. A VERY liberal allow-
ance OF LAND IN PROPORTION TO THE STOCK, THAT THERE MAY BE, NOT
ONLY AN AMPLE BITE IN THE GRASS SEASON, BUT AN EQUALLY AMPLE
QUANTITY OF THE BEST HAY DURING THE WINTER.

A good convenient suit of stabling and yards, will, in course, be
understood as standing at the head of the above. Although, where the
cost is not regarded, conveniences for breeding Horses may be made
in any part of this country, and food provided for them, and the pro-
duce will generally follow the breeding stock, in quality ; yet there can
be no doubt but the quality of the soil, and even of the air, must have
a certain, if not always a perceptible effect. A firm, dry, and hard
soil, will have a corresponding effect upon the feet, limbs, and tendon-
ous system of the Horses bred upon it; as will a dry, clear, and elas-
tic air, upon their wind, animal spirits and general habit Such are
the advantages enjoyed by the Horses of the mountain and the
desert; but those must be, and are greatly enhanced in a country
where abundant herbage and moderate temperature are superadded.
Thence the improvement in this country, of the southern Horse. Horses
bred in a low, moist and boggy part of the country, will indeed be
generally large in size, but gross, with soft expanded feet, round

fleshy

115

fleshy legs, and bulky ill-shaped heads. A reserve of grass, where keep
is no more than sulHcient for the stoek, is a useful precaution, and
more especially in the case of early foals.

It is singular, how long the most useful, and one would suppose,
obvious principles and practices, are making their way in the world. I
have somewhere before alluded to the practice of the Irish, and I
believe the Scots, using their Horses and oxen to draw the ploughs and
harrows by the tail. I really took the thing for a hoax, but they say
it was literally fact, and that the practice could only be, and really was
prevented by an act of parliament. So lately as Blundeville'sdays, it
was still supposed the best practice, to turn the covering stallion loose,
with his destined herd of mares, into well-fenced inclosures. The
assurance that by such means, there would be no barren mares, and a
saving of the expence of hard meat to the stallions, were supposed deci-
sive advantages; The vastly greater number of mares, which niioht
Avith equal effect and superior safety, be covered by the stallion in hand,
then sometimes practised, Avere ideas in embryo, unborn, or not even
conceived. The author above cited, talks of a young and lusty Horse,
covering nine or ten mares in a season: what would he have thought
of the soundness of their head-pieces, who would suffer their mares to
assist in making up the round dozen, covered by the same Horse, in
one day, could he have foretold, that such would be the case in the
nineteenth century ? Aristotle allowed the Horse thirty mares. In an
ancient stud of thirty thousand mares, in Syria, a stallion was allotted
to every hundred mares.

I shall not be expected here to enter with much minuteness of detail,
into the science of propagatin*' varieties; as much of it will be sufficient,
as may contribute to general use. The grand princi])le and dependance
in breeding animals is, as we moderns phrase it, ' that like produces like;'
in the language of Blundeville's days, for the axiom was acknowledo-ed
centuries before Bakewell's time; ' most commonUe such sire and damme
such colt: Every experienced person has witnessed, that such is suffi-
ciently regular of occurrence, to establish a general rule, Avhich every
such one is aware, from the nature of things, cannot subsist without its
exceptions, against which there is no precaution or remedy. Of like

Q 2 producing

116

protlucing like, two advantages are to be taken, in breeding; the
attainment of perfections and the avoidance of defects.

The prime cause of failure in casual and uninformed breeders is, con-
fining their attention solely to the Horse ; and for that reason it is, that so
many attempts to breed cart-horses up to the midland county size and
figure, elsewhere, have proved abortive. It is to carry much too far, the
oonnnon notion, that the progeny always bears most resemblance to the
male. To constitute a thorough-bred animal, of any species or variety,
the female must be equally so with the male : and to assure the attain-
ment of any quality or perfection, both the male and female ought
to possess it. Such superior tools to work with, are, however, not
always at hand, and the improving breeder must proceed painfully
and laboriously, step by step, securing a perfection, or amending a de-
fect, in each generation. Defects in the mare may be countervailed
by superiority of the Horse, in the same respects, and vice versa; and
their is a species of crossing which nature generally approves, that of
joining opposite forms in length and substance ; for example, length
with its opposite, and width, and rotundity Avith depth and flatness.
From such conjunctions result a medium, consistent both with beauty
and use.

The supposed necessity of crossing breeds, that is to say, the disad-
vantage of breeding in-and-in, or between males and females of the
same family, has long been exploded by facts. The greatest success
has attended breeding from the nearest afhnities, in horned cattle ;
and doubtless similar results would follow with Horses, although it be
not yet so much matter of experience in the stud. In certain instances
where it has been said to fail, the cause of failure might be, that the
breed stood much in need of amendment at the outset ; a legitimate
reason for crossing. If I desii-ed to succeed in a racer, 1 would put my
Horse to his sister or his dam, provided they included more points of
superiority, than any other mare within my reach. Crossing in
order to lay the foundation of a new variety, is beside this question.

Whilst established species and varieties are good and saleable in
the market, it is more advantageous to adhere to them, than to run
into random crosses. For example, racing blood is the grand improver

and

ts ;

m

and regulator of all our saddle and coaching stock, and by a sort of
general tacit convention, they have certain portions of it; more Avould
do harm, by rendering the nag too delicate and leggy, and spoiling his
trot; less would render him coarse, sluggish and unfashionable. Thus
I have generally found it preferable, to put a hackney mare to a good
reputed hackney stallion, rather than to a racer, unless the mare were
too coarse and wanted blood. You thus proceed safely, and on already
improved ground : if you have recourse to racing, carting, or rough
unimproved stock, you are losing time and going backward. It is true
that a good hack, hunter or coach horse, might be produced from the
conjunctions, either of the cart mare with the race hoi'se, or the racing
mare with a cart horse; and I have experienced some,'and seen more such
successful instances; but they are, at no rate, generally eligible crosses.

Our present varieties of the Horse, and their denominations, are as
follow : —

The racer, eace-horse or running horse ; the hunter ; the
charger ; the heavy and light troop horse ; the hack, hackney,
ROADSTER, ROAD HORSE or CHAPMAN'S HORSE: a cloddy, compact horse,
or gelding of this description, is now and then styled a Cobb. The lady's

HORSE, or PAD; THE COACH-HORSE, CHARIOT, and CURRICLE-HORSE; GIG-
HORSE or CHAISE-HORSE; THE MACHIiNER and POST-HACK; THE CART and
DRAY HORSE, GALLOWAYS, PONIES.

On breeding the racer, I shall say a few words under that particular
head. The hunter, is either a thorough-bred Horse of sufficient sub-
stance, or one with a considerable shew of blood, and with good action;
for example, got by a racer out of a half-bred, or three-part-bred mare ;
or any horse, mare, or gelding of sufficient powers and action. Such,
with litttle or no shew of blood, have sold as hunters,at very high prices;
but they are unfit for a light country, where it is generally the fashion to
ride bred hunters, which consequently go too fast for the common-
bred Horse.

The charger, I have observed, is often a foreign Horse; they are
from Germany chiefly, shew southern blood, and it is not altogether
easy to assign a reason why they never have so much speed as our
English Horses with the same degree of blood. It must be allowed,

that

118

that we sometimes get fast trotters from the continent, or Horses and
mares producing such. It is the style of the times, to dress and convert
any fashionable hunter or hackney, or a bred-horse, into a charger.
The light troops are mounted on strong, active, half and three part
bred geldings, bred chiefly in the north. The heavy blacks, compara-
tively light Horse to those of former days, are bred in the midland coun-
ties, and generally shew continental, Flanders or German blood. Our
cavalry are generally well mounted.

The breeding counties for saddle Horses, are Yorkshire, the Bishop-
ric of Durham, and I believe Northumberland ; part of Lincolnshire and
Norfolk, and within the last twenty years, Shropshire and the Welsh
border. In the North, all kinds of saddle and coach-horses are bred
from some strong racers, but most usually, from half and three
part-bred stallions, and such mares as are found in the country. The
coach-horses are produced by large mares, which have a shew of blood,
a requisite now, for all our quick draught horses, thorough-bred racers
even being frequently applied to that purpose, particularly in the
curricle. Lincolnshire and Norfolk have been, within these thirty or forty
years, famous for trotters, breeding from stallions, properly formed for,
and excelling in that qualification. These are probably the best hacks
which England produces. Shropshire, I am informed, owes its present
breeding-system chiefly to the late Earl Grosvenor. They have at present,
a great number of stallions in that neighbourhood, for the most part,
thorough-bred; some of them covering gratis, I believe by the favour
of Lord Grosvenor, who patriotically desires to encourage the breed-
ing of Horses in those parts, so well calculated for the purpose. The
Shropshire Horses are of the fashionable, hunting-like, shewy kind, and
will doubtless suit the foreign markets, whenever the blessing of peace
may fortunately open them to us again. I have not seen a thorough-
shaped nag from Shropshire; few of them have hitherto come under
my observation, but I had lately some concern in the bargaining for
one, a blood bay gelding, the price of which was one hundred and sixty
guineas, although the Horse was full aged.

Chariot-horses, are below the full coach size, about the height of the
curricle horse, with more substance and weight. These last, with the

Gig

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Gig Horse, are of the hunting size and figure. Not only the old heavy
black, but the heavy bay Coach-horse has long been superseded, and
they are now scarcely ever to be met with. All quick draught is perform-
ed by light horses, Avhich do the business far quicker, and consume less
than the old heavy species; carriages of every description, are in course,
much lighter, more elegant and more convenient than formerly, and in-
deed far more various. In the lighter parts of quick draught, of the
curricle and gig, the same sized Horses are used which we ride, nor
does such light draught injure them for the saddle; on the contrary, in
the opinion of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a sovereign
judge in the case. Horses are benefitted by the discipline of the curricle,
Avhich brings their heads up, and makes them dash on with spirit,
especially suiting such as are sluggish and heavy in hand. Exactness in
pairing and in the coloui's of Horses, excepting for state occasions, is by
no means so much attended to as in former days.

The Machiner, or stage-coach horse, gelding or mare, as it may
happen, is of large size, generally from iifteen and a half, to sixteen
hands in height, with a show of blood. They are frequently cast-ofF
hunters, and we scarcely ever see at this time, even in the heaviest stages,
any of those cart-bred horses formerly in use, excepting in the black
work, that is, the hearse and mourning coach business. The Mail-coach,
and post chaise horses are, in course, of somewhat smaller size.

The great black cart horse of the Midland counties, is bred chiefly for
the use of the London brewers, distillers, and some few other tradesmen,
who drive capital Horses in their carts. Many of them proceed to the
metropolis, through the hands of the Hants and Berks farmers, who
purchase them yearlings, at Lambourne fair, working them from two
or three, until live or six years old, when they are purchased by the
London dealers. Among these, the Flanders blood is often very appa-
rent, and we now and then see individual natives of that country.

This appearance is still more obvious amongst the Horses appropriated
to the black work, a similar breed with the heavy dragoon Horses, and
1 suppose, the produce of the Midland counties.

Speaking of the Flanders breed, brings to ray recollection an ex-
cellent variety of well-shaped black nags, both for quick draught and the

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120

saddle, generally good, and sometimes capital trotters. They have
doubtless originated in Flemish stock, and their numbers appear con-
siderable at present.

The old Suffolk punch cart horse, almost invariably of the soi^rel,
(so they denominate the red, or sandy chesnut colour,) was, I think,
beyond all question the most active, steady and powerful draught
Horse in existence. Middle-sized, or under the middle size, namely,
between fourteen hands three inches and sixteen hands, with a rough
coarse head, not seldom abruptly fastened to the neck, and that short:
the shoulders low and round, and the breast full, the waist often long,
a characteristic of the breed, and the barrel remarkably round with a
good carcase, whence the denomination of punch. The buttocks
high and full, aspiring as it were, above the forehand, whence greater
energy m draught was supposed to be derived. Legs somewhat long
and round in conformity with the barrel. Feet not of the soundest,
subject to thrushes, and the legs to grease.

Between forty and fifty years since, exercising their cart horses at
drawing, was quite a fashionable amusement amongst the Suffolk far-
mers; the emulation was great, in regard to the merits of their respec-
tive teams, in this way; and drawing-matches were made for consider-
able sums; in one instance, as it was reported, to the amount of fifteen
hundred guineas, fifteen horses against fifteen. It was usual to make
these Horses draw dead pulls, or where the weight was not intended, or
|)ossible to be moved, as hooking the Horses to a tree. The test of
superiority was the number of pulls, or attempts a Horse would make;
and partly from natural aptitude, and much from training and constant
use. no Horse on earth would make so many pulls as the old Suffolk.
It was admirable to see, and I have often witnessed it, how a team of
these, Avould answer the jupji !!! of the carter, by dropping upon their
knees, all at the same instant, and by perpetual repetitions forcing
forward the impeded or set load; and with what attention, the nodding
fore horse would listen to, and obey the ' who ree and halt come who !'
—the former, in English, turn to the right, the latter, to the left.

This rage however, did not spread out of Suffolk, and if while it
lasted there, it was one incitement to keeping up a breed calculated for

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121

its object, it was also the source of much cruelty and mischief. Horses
were strained and torn to pieces for amusement, instead of having
their strength fairly used in profitable labour. And that which turned
the whole into an insufferable nuisance, farm servants in general, were
seized with the drawing mania, and would take every opportunity, out
of their master's sight, of trying team against team, or Horse against
Horse, by which they often did their Horses more harm than would
have occurred from a month's regular work. Besides, the drawing
dead pulls is often attended with great cruelty, since numbers, even of
the best cattle in every other respect, can neyer be brought, by the
utmost abuse, to exert themselves, when they feel the impossibility of
moving the weight. The form of these Horses, obviously productive
of such unequalled efforts in draught, might have been a sufficient
mark and inducement for preserving so valuable a breed, independently
of the introduction of drawing as an amusement. But this sport had
its day ; in fact, has been extinct these thirty years, and even the
breed, with which it Avas performed; an individual of which, could
not, I believe, be now procured in any part of Suffolk, or elsewhere,
did ever so great an interest depend upon it.

The chief part of Suffolk, for the punches, was in the sands, towards
the coast. Some of them high in repute, fetched very considerable
prices for that time. A relation of mine in Essex, had one, a very
noted drawer, A^alued at a hundred guineas, one year, and stolen from
him, for nothing, the succeeding. Yet these famous Horses did not
make their way much out of Suffolk, any more than the sport of
drawing; nor were they in any great request in distant counties, until
they were no longer to be obtained, when premiums were advertised
for them : this is in course.

Let us not forget, in order to mark the absurdity of such a custom,
the plug tails of the old punches, retained indeed yet, among many of
the new breed. The tail is left only two or three inches long, and the
spigot end, about an inch, clipped clear of the hair. Whether a fanci-
ful Martinet in Queen Anne's reign. Lord Cadogan, who plugged all
the heavy dragoon Horses, did it of his own head, or derived the
custom from his elders, or from his contemporary Suffolk farmers ; or

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122

whether the latter derived the practice from his lordship, I am not an-
tiquarian enough on the subject of curtails, to determine. That
lord, however, obtained one of the ends of setting fashions, the French
have since called a Horse with a cut tail, iin Cadogan. His present
IVIajesty justly and wisely restored the natural right of tails to his
Cavahy.

The new breed of Suffolk cart-horses has resulted from covering the
the marcs of the old stock with Yorkshire stallions, such as are used to
get saddle stock; thence the ilat and coaching shoulder of the present Suf-
folk, and their ability to trot. I can discover no benefit in the change,
as Suffolk is not a breeding county, excepting for home use ; and as the
Horses, with the exception perhaps of a few instances at home, are of
no repute for quick draught. I am not aware of the great use of trot-
ting to plough and cart-horses; it is sufficient that they can walk well,
a pace in which the old breed excelled, and as to powers of draught,
the new have no pretensions of comparison. On the whole, I appre-
hend this to have been a mere fanciful change, which does no credit to
the judgment of those in Avhom it originated, and whose names I
have forgotten.

We have, or had yet two other breeds of the cart-horse, of distin-
guished excellence, and highly spoken of by Mr. Culley, whose
opinion deserves the utmost attention. These are the Cleve-
land Bays, in Yorkshire, and the Clydesdale or Lanarkshire
Horses in Scotland. The first are a kind of coach-horses, and their
chief merit seems to be using much expedition with their load over
the roads: inconsequence of their lightness, a greater number of them
must be used, than of real cart-horses, which is the object of a compa-
rative estimate. I know nothing of the Lanark Horse, beyond the re-
port of his activity and goodness.

The terms Galloway and Poney, now relate simply to height; the
former, derived from the galloways of Scotland, being generally about
that standard, serves to distinguish any Horse, mare or gelding, between
thirteen and sometimes a little above fourteen hands high, although
generally the full size commences at fourteen hands. The poney ends
at thirteen hands. There are ponies from tlie isle of Shetland, barely

nine

123

nine hands, or a yard high, extremely convenient for children; and all
under-sized Horses possess the power of carrying burdens beyond the
proportion of their size.

In regular or systematic breeding, as has been already observed, both
Horse and mare should be adapted to produce the particular species
required. In the case of a person casually desiring to breed from a
mare in his possession, he may select that species of stallion for. her,
the specific character and properties of which, blended with her's, will,
in practical probability, give the desired result. The glorious press has
spread among mankind all sorts of useful intelligence, and from the
newspapers of the breeding counties, and in the Racing Calendars,
are to be found annual notices of covering stallions of every variety in
use, with their prices. And in every county in England, stallions
attend markets and fairs, in the covering season.

The term stallion is said to be a contraction of the Latin equus ad
stabidum, because it was necessary to confine the stone-horse in a stable
or stall, by himself The Italians and French making use of the same
figure, write Stallone and etalon. The practice of gelding all Horses
intended for common purposes, even for the troop, is now universal
among us, and with the utmost reason. The business is equally well
performed by geldings, which are void of the trouble, and of some of
the diseases of the stoned-horse. Even in the view of humanity, it is
a point gained, to deprive the male, by a temporary suffering, of that
powerful apjietite, which must be perpetually recurring with no chance
of gratification. In this respect, the mare stands a better chance, and
it is a point of interest to keep her perfect, since she may, from various
accidents, be disabled from labour, yet be well adapted to procreation.
The fashion indeed, of spading mares, which never prevailed to any
considerable degree, has ceased probably almost a century. The
number of dray and cart stallions in the metropolis, formerly so con-
siderable, is now reduced to few, and it is desirable that geldings maybe
entirely substituted, particularly as less liable to grease and cuticular
disease.

To describe usefully the stallion and brood mare, it must be done
with respect to their different species, and in course, purposes to which

R 2 thev

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they are adapted : but there are certain points of form, and certain quah-
fications, which being of general use, they ought to possess in common:
and if we do not begin with good models, we have no right to expect
that we shall conclude with good forms and qualities. Like produceth
like- and we shall generally succeed, in proportion to the perfections of
the individuals put together ; when those are in a high degree, much
may be expected.

The HEAD of both stallion and mare should be lean and well, that is
not abrupdy, set on. The EVES clear and full; the ears erect, not pen-
dulous. The neck or crest arched or fullest above. The shoulders ca-
pacious, if of a saddle-horse, in depth and extent; the forehand
rising and tapering at the summit; if of a Horse of slow draught, in
fulness and substance. The back should be nearly straight, in a line
with the tail, and that corresponding fairly in height with the back.
The tail being set on low, gives the animal a very awkward appearance.
The loins or fillets should be broad, and well filled, and by no means
sinking ; and this substance of the loin is still more requisite in the
case of a length of waist, or much room between the ribs and the
hip-bones. The buttocks of the saddle-horse should be dee|) and oval,
or counter, like the shoulder; those of the draught horse, full, round
and raised at the summits. The carcase large without swagging, the
body sufficiently rounded to approach the. line of beauty. The legs
should not be too long, particularly below the knee, of which the eye,
comprehending the body as a whole, must judge. By the same rule
of judgment, legs too short, may be a defect, even in a cart-horse, as
rendering the motions of the animal laborious and slow, particularly if
the waist be short also; but when there is length of waist, the case is
materially changed, whether in the Cart-horse or Racer. The thighs
and fore-arms should be full and muscular, and here length is advan-
tageous; but in these parts it is, where cart and common bred Horses
are generally defective. The angle made by the hock, should bring
the hinder feet sufficient under the loins, since the leaving his legs behind
him, is one of the plainest tokens of weakness in a Horse. The quar-
ters should be of sufficiently extent to remove the hinder feet, at least to
a greater distance between them, than that occupied by the fore feet ;

in

125

in fact, few Horses go too wide behind. The feet and pastern joints of
equal size, should stand even both behind and before, neither toe
turning out or in. The legs should be flat, not round and fleshy, a de-
fect chiefly belonging to the cart-horse. The feet round, and neither
flat and spreading, nor deep and high, the heels wide and open. The
frog tough, firm and dry, and also the substance of the hoof, cutting
tough and leathery, not brittle; the colour dark and shining.

In few words. Horses are characterized, as adapted to the saddle or
draught, by the form of their shoulders and buttocks, and by their size
—to the Course, by their genuine Southern blood.

The varieties of stallions adapted to each purpose of saddle, coach
or cart, have been indicated in the notice of our breeding counties;
those intended to get speedy trotters, should have extensive and declin*
ing shoulders, and well spread quarters, with large, solid shank bones
and strong feet. Such generally are the reputed trotting stallions.

The colours of Horses, notwithstanding the metaphysical notions of
former days, are of very little consequence in relation to their good-
ness. Certain mixtures of white, however, upon the legs of Horses,
are both unsightly and unfavourable, and the light-coloured hoofs are
often bad. In breeding for sale, colour doubtless may be an essential
object, particularly with regard to coach-horses.

A few general observations, before we proceed to the mere practical
rules. We have no longer occasion in this country, unless we make
an exception as to the high managed Horse, for any foreign breeding
stock, as in former days. Our own is incomparably superior to all
other, European or Southern. Yet with the best materials in the
world to work on ; and indeed with occasional products, bordering on
perfection, the number of midling, or worthless and almost useless
Horses, annually bred in England, is inconceivably great. A great
dealer lately assured me, that in the shew of thousands of saddle-horses,
he should scarcely expect to fmd a thorough-shaped one. Probably that
imion of substance and action, which was to be met with in former days,
but never in abundance, has been of late still more scarce. The reason
is obvious. To speak chiefly of saddle-horses, the breeders sacrifice too
little to science and skill, too much to custom and convenience. Size

and

126

and shew are the objects, more than the essentials, of form and utility ;
and the fitness of the mare, important as that consideration is, seldom
comes into the question : strange as it may seem, cattle improvement has
been carried farther than that of the Horse, and we have yet had no
Barkwells and CuLLEYS, among our professional breeders of saddle
horses; nor was a knowledge of horse-breeding, by any means, the forte
of either of those eminent men. Indubitably, some public plan of im-
provement is loudly demanded by the public interest in this case, to-
wards which I have lately furnished some hints to our great breeders,
without the experience of that attention, which I humbly conceive the
subject to merit.

The grand disadvantage of breeding hacks and hunters, is the great
length of time required, before they are fit for use or sale: Namely, five
years from their foaling, whereas Racers and cart-horses, come into use
and into the market, at between two or three years old, and even the
yearlings are saleable. This disadvantage, hoAvever, affects not, or
in a less sensible degree, those who reside in sufficient proximity to
the breeding districts, where the occupation is divided, and all the v

advantages produced, of Adam Smith's division of labour; one breeder
proceeding upon the plan of selling his stock at a year old, another
at two or three and so on, that a market may be found for every gra-
dation between the yearling, and the five year old, fitted and made up
for the London dealer. The system, perhaps, is confined to the Northern
counties. The present liberal prices (1807) ought surely to operate as
an encouragement, not simply to breeding road horses, but to breeding
them useful and well-shaped, since the difference in the market price
between a five year old of such valuable description, and one of the
common leggy, sickle-hammed, knock-joint species, will be upon an
average more than twenty pounds, a handsome premium surely for a
little labour in the acquisition of skill, a far greater desideratum to my
full conviction, than any additional expence.

The STALLION AND MARE should iiot Only approach, as nearly as pos-
sible to the thorough shaped, but be free from certain defects, or
constitutional tendency to those defects. The principal of these are
restiveness, blindness, and perhaps spavins, round and gourdy legs,

nnd

H7

and running thrushes. The brood mare, in particular, should have
a large and roomy belly, good loins and capacious haunches. As to
the size of the stallion, perhaps we are sometimes apt to run to excess
in that respect; yet I apprehend not much of practical consequence in
Mr. Cline's late recommendation of small-sized males. To render his
example of the Arabian stallion applicable, it is necessary, to presup-
pose him joined with a mare of his own species, and in his own barren
country. From observation I have conjectured, that twins are sometimes
the result of joining a mare, with a Horse much larger tban herself: for
example a hackney mare with a full-sized cart-horse.

The stallion is certainly in perfection between his fifth and ninth
year ; but, granting health and soundness, an advanced age has not
hitherto been found any obstacle to procreation of the best stock; only,
in course, the number of mares in a season, covered by such a Horse,
must be reduced. Matchem, in his latter days, was assisted to mount
the back of the mare, and was daily nourished with cow's milk.
Albertus, an old veterinarian, writes, that he knew a soldier actually
serving upon a horse, which was seventy years of age, and yet accounted,
an able Horse; and Ferdinand the First, according to Niphus, had also
one in his stables of the same age. In short, we have known Horses
at more than thirty years of age, get good colts ; and mares, at nearly
the same age, to bear such.

The procreative faculty would doubtless last much longer in the
stallion, but from the very liberal use, which immediate interest prompts
us to make of it. As to the brood mare, no man, one would suppose,
would refuse her the Horse, which continued, how ancient soever, to
produce foals; a mistake yet committed by an old friend of mine, who
gave away a hunting mare, the last produce of which, at five years old,
fetched one hundred guineas in those cheap times. The mare was sup-
posed tc» be worn out, yet afterwards produced six foals. This mare was
one of the highest leapers in her neighbourhood, and so attached to the
sport, that seeing the hounds pass her paddock in full cry, she took a
leap of pointed paling of considerable height, and landed in a descent by
the side of a well, whence golloping up at full speed, she joined the

huntsman.

128

huntsman, kept him company through a long chase, and was in at tlie
death of the fox. This mare I rode more than fifty years ago.

The staHion and brood mare are botli apphcable to other business,
as well as to that of breeding, provided it be properly timed, and their
powers exercised with judgment and moderation. A mare in foal may
draw, or be ridden with safety, on the conditions that the work be so
moderate as not to injure her appetite or depress her spirit; that no sudden
or violent exertions be necessary, and that she be well kept at hard meat.
But all exercise should be discontinued when she becomes heavy and
near her time, although I know it to be the practice of some to work
their cart mares so long, that the circumstance has frequently occurred,
of their dropping the foal whilst in harness. Such is a rash and un-
thinking practice, whether it arise from defect of keeping account of
the mare's time, or from a want of feeling due to her situation. I im-
mediately recollect three accidents to mares in foal : a famous hack of
mine, the like of which 1 shall never see again, was ridden express,
whilst heavy in foal, by an insensible fellow, and over rough cross-roads,
forty two miles in three hours, returning afterwards at the same rate.
On reaching her own stable, the mare cast her foal, escaping herself b}'^
the goodness of her constitution; but although in eleven years which
she survived, she continued capable of great performances, she also in
her exertions, plainly manifested internal debility and reduced powers,
however uncommon. In the spring of the year 1790, being in great
haste to finish the ploughing some land, I worked two mares very
forward in foal. Loss of flesh, but more particularly dulness and depres-
sion, for several weeks, were the foreboding symptoms, which, from a
shameful inattention, w^ere not regarded. One mare cast twins, and
the other !?hewed every appearance of an approach to the same state,
which was happily prevented by allowing her a comfortable well-littered
loose stable, with beer cordial, mashes of malt, fine pollard and
oats, and warm water. She recovered in ten days, and went her full
time.

All the modes practised to procure abortion in the mare, are cruel
and dangerous to her future health and strength. In case of a stolen

leap.

129

leap, it is the safest, as well as the most humane method, to suffer the
mare, kept at moderate labour, to carry her burden, which may either
be destroyed as soon as foaled, or given to those who will be at the
trouble of rearing it by hand.

Notwithstanding all that has been written in favour of giving the
brood mare the occasional respite of a fallow season, profit seems to have
dictated and confirmed the custom, of keeping her annually and con-
stantly to her proper business. The former practice may, however,
be suitable to convenience, and a mare from having bred, loses few or
none of her good qualities for the saddle, or any other purpose.
Brood mares have been successful Racers, as well as covering stallions.
It is a truly excellent and advantageous method, to put a valuable
hackney mare, injured by work, to the Horse, in her eighth year.
Suppose her left intirely at her ease, until her foal is weaned, she may
be allowed to breed another foal, doing moderate labour in the interim,
and may be rationally expected to have recovered her soundness after
having weaned her two foals.

Stallions of repute are too valuable to be exposed to any risk, other-
wise, they may be hunted, ridden hackney, or applied to any appro-
priate labour, out of, but never during the covering season. In course,
worked or not, they must be kept full of good meat, throughout the
year. I would particularly advise a gentle dose or two of physic, be-
fore the covering season, and during the midst of it, should a Horse
be heated and inflamed, and his appetite decreased, as sometimes hap
pens, a single course of Glauber's salt, with mashes, will be beneficial
to him, and restore his appetite and vigour. In this case, no mares
must be offered him for several daj^s. Nor should he ever cover more
mares in a day, than he can serve with sufficient vigour. In this re-
spect, there is much difference in the constitutions of Horses. Many
inconsiderate persons suppose, that, provided a foal be the result, every
intent is answered; but I have too often witnessed the different size,
form, powers and stamina of colts, got by the same Horse, when in
full vigour, and afterwards, when exhausted by covering, not to be
convinced of the futility of that common opinion. A celebrated son of
King Herod, whose services as a covering stallion, produced a con-

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130

siderable annual revenue, exhausted to the very dregs by excess, Hn-
gered, it was said, in the most acute torments for weeks, and anticipated
perhaps his natural doom, by ten or fifteen years.

Lucern is the best soihng for the stalhon in the spring, and his hay
and corn should be of the most excellent and nourishing kind. If he
incline to throw off his meat, and is weak, fine white split pease may
be given him, in the proportion of one fourth part of his oats, or the
finest small, fair horse beans, with occasionally, a handful of wheat,
also good sound strong beer. In the case of either Horse or mare
being backward and weak, the following drench at night, may prove
both stimulant and restorative. Three pints of good beer, one quar-
tern of best French brandy, and a couple of eggs, with a little allspice
and ginger, the flip to be heated and made fine, secundum artem, and
given blood warm. In particular cases of weakness and looseness,
from two to four tea spoonsful of laudanum, may, with much advan-
tage, be added to the above drink. Horses are sometimes so exhausted
by severe duty, that the muscles which support their testicles lose their
tone, and one perhaps hangs considerably below the other. To obvi-
ate, if possible, such a state of debility, it is very beneficial to covering
stallions, to walk them morning and evening into some clear stream,
until the water sluices those parts, which will astringe and invigorate
them. Or they may be washed with cold pump water, several times
in the day, within doors. The Horse's yard having a foul appearance
should be often washed with warm soap and water, and should there
be any excoriation or loss of skin, the places touched with tincture
of myrrh, or a lotion of Golard's extract. Some Horses will readily
permit this, others not; but timely used, it may prevent very trouble-
some consequences.

The feet of covering stallions which have no exercise, should be
taken more care of, than has been sometimes usual. For instance,
pared when necessary, often suppled with water, and the toes properly
shortened. Old Eclipse suffered much from the neglect of his feet;
and if report was correct. King Herod died in consequence of a mor-
tification in his sheath, brought on by uncleanness and neglect. The

grooming

131

grooming and attendance on such Horses should be most scrupulous,
for their health sake, and the more so in proportion to their inability
to take exercise.

Let me be understood to vouch, on long experience, that as the
best performances of the Horse, of whatever description, are not to be
expected, without the best keep, and the most regular and skilful
attendance, the same rule holds to the utmost in the breeding stud, as
to the quality of the young stock. A man, either from necessity,
ignorance or indolence, conjoins hap-hazard, horse and mare, with
no farther solicitude, than to be sure he has committed no blunder as
to the sexes; the mare takes her chance upon the heath or waste, living
thick in the summer months, upon weak, sour grass, but keeping a long-
winter lent upon the roots, the vacuum within her being by good luck
perhaps, filled up with bean haulm: foals resulting from this oeconomical
system of breeding, as Bracken tells us, were deemed by our grand-
fathers in sufficient good case, if in the winter when down, they could
get up again of themselves. So nourished and reared, cattle at their
maturity, do strict justice to their keeping; they are generally good
for nothing, with some very middling exceptions: but this rule, doubt-
less, applies most forcibly to sized Horses. Even the offspring of the
best-shaped parents, will degenerate upon insufficient nourishment,
and the want of a comfortable and genial shelter from the palsying and
stunting effects of damps and cold. Good keep and warmth are neces-
sary to invigorate the circulation of the animal's blood, to expand his
frame, to plump up and enlarge his muscles, to encourage the growth
of his bones, and to impart to them that solidity and strength which
preserves them in the right line of symmetry.

The necessity then of the most nourishing provender, more especially
in the winter season, for the brood mare, which is expected to produce
capital stock, is clearly apparent. The next consideration is the pro-
per season in which to put her to the Horse, since the mare in the
opinion of that illustrious wonder-monger Aristotle, one the most
desirous of the male, will admit him throughout the year. All breed-
ers, ancient and modern, and so far as I am informed, all writers, with
one exception, declare for the spring. De Grey, who wrote in the

s 2 reign

132

reign of James I, forms the exception; and he pretends, on- experience,
to recommend that the mai-e should foal in the beginning of winter,
that her milk may be enriched by good hay and corn, and that the
foal, so nourished, will have acquired superior strength and spirit, by
the time the spring pastures are ready to receive him. I think since
De Grey's grand object was milk for his foals, the product of corn
feeding, he had yet better have suffered his mares to foal in the spring,
allowing them corn with their grass. In one case only I Avould adopt
the method of De Grey : in that of a barren mare, or one which could
not be induced to receive the horse in season, but from which I might
desire to have a foal. I have known such manifest very strong inclina-
tion for the horse, whilst kept in the stable, during the Avinter season.

In mares difficult or capricious in this respect, the periodical inclina-
tion must be carefully watched and immediately gratified; yet although
plainly horsing, as it is termed, they often will not admit the Horse, in
which case they should invariably be forced, and these forced con-
junctions are probable enough to be successful. When no symptoms
of desire have appeared, particularly, the season being advanced, it is
common to force the mare ; such a cover seldom produces a foal, yet
may prepare the mare for a more prosperous engagement with the
Horse in a few days; or farther repetitions may be necessary. I have,
in another place, recommended a standing of posts, in which to se-
cure the head and feet of the mare, in preference to the common
method of strapping her legs together, from which a mare has some-
times disengaged herself and done great mischief Stallions have been
killed outright, by a kick of the mare upon their testicles, and it is rather
too much, needlessly to hazard the high-prized Horses of the present
times.

The heat or desire of the mare is said to he periodical, throughout
the spring, returning every six, nine or fifteen daj^s. Having been
covered, she ought to be again presented to the Horse, at two of these
periods, and should she twice refuse him, she is supposed to be stinted
to him, or to have conceived. It is most secure, perlraps, to have the
mare covered twice, either the same day, or in two days. After foaling,
the mare will usually admit the Horse in three or fourdays,and thatearly

period

133

period is supposed to be favourable to conception, but should the mare
be low and weak, I should prefer waiting two or three weeks, allowing
her corn mashes in the interim. LuCern grass in this case is exceedingly
beneficial. The wise Solomon saith, the barren womb is never satis-
fied, and indeed barren mares will generally accept the Horse as often
as you please to allow him, a circumstance which affords hope of a
mare difficult in that respect. It is a general rule, subject to its excep-
tions, that broken- Avinded mares are incapable of breeding. I have
tried several times for the exception without success. A farmer
of Hampshire, in former days, was fortunate enough to meet with
it. From an aged and broken-winded cart mare, he bred a whole
team.

Breeding of Horses, being a concern which involves considerable pro-
perty, and affords abundantmatter of interesting curiosity, a regularand
comprehensive stud book, ought to be kept by the head groom, under
the frequent superintendance of the proprietor. The proper contents
of such a book will be the pedigrees of all stallions and mares engaged
which are not publicly known. The places and persons from which
new purchases have been received, with the names and descriptions of
the Horses, and dates of their arrival ; the same as to sale or departure.
Register of deaths or accidents ; of each cover of the mare, her name
or description and age ; her reckoning or barrenness; of the dropping
of the foals and their description; of their weaning. With useful and
practical remarks on the constitutions, and habits of the stallions, mares
and foals ; particularly, the symptoms in the mare, which precede con-
ception, abortion and delivery, and those in the young stock, which
indicate the approach of reduced condition or disease.

The period of gestation in the mare, is, according to Blundeville,
a full year, or at least eleven months and ten days. In this he is very
accurate, understanding the year to consist of the irregular months, three
hundred and sixty-five days. A mare with me, put to the Horse the
last day of the month, foaled on the last day but one, of the same
month, going three hundred and sixty three-days. It was her first foal;
with which they generally go longer than with the succeeding, if they
breed every year. They also perhaps go longer with a colt foal than

a filly.

134

a filly. This mare and several others afterwards, went three hundred
and thirty-four, or a few days more, making eleven months and odd
days.

A foal cannot come too early in the spring, for those who are provided
with forward grass in sheltered paddocks, but it is a miserable sight, to
see young stock upon bare commons, parched and rivelled up by the east
winds, and the animals almost glandered, or perpetually drenched in cold
rains, and scarcely able to crawl after their dams. All things consider-
ed, April and May are the most proper months, in which to put the
Horse and mare together ; and I think the covering season may very
well be extended to the end of June. The extremes of early and late
which may happen, are, that from the first period, the foal may appear
early in March, and from the other, it may not be dropped until the
beginning of July. The mare with the latter foal, will have thi-ee
months grass, after which, the herbage declining in both quantity and
goodness, an allowance of carrots and hay, or of fine pollard and oats
mixed, will make her ample amends, and she will wean her foal at
Christmas, in good condition.

The stinted mares of the stud must be turned off by themselves, into
such pastures, as have been described, and no geldings admitted with
them, every precaution being taken to prevent the risk of abortion,
among which precautions, may be remembered, shelter from the fly
during the dog days. Various accidents have been supposed to occa-
sion abortion, such as change of water, the company of a he ass, the
sight of blood, smell of carrion, or the presence of a mare which has
slipped, or lost her conception. Such an one should be immediately
removed, and proper care taken of her.

The health and well doing of the mares being attended to by daily
inspection, it is a good method to withdraw each individual, within a
few days or a week of her reckoning, to a safe and convenient place,
in which she may bring forth by herself, without the risk of avoidable
accident. In early foaling and bad weather, sheltered places should be
chosen, either without or within doors, such as a large loose stable or
barn. The mare brings forth in a standing position and generally in
the night, or early in the morning; and is liable to as {cw accidents,

and

135

and has as easy parturition as any female whatever. Her signs of
approaching dehvery, which will be visible several days previously, are
diminished size of the belly, flacidity or looseness of the udder, tail
pointing out, swelling of the parts and discharge. The after-burden or
clearing should be removed.

The danger of exceptions to this facility of bringing forth, can only
be obviated by constant and timely vigilance, and the assistance of ex-
perienced and skilful assistants; such ought now to be found in the
vastly increased number of our veterinary surgeons, whose attention
ought, in an especial manner, to be bestowed on the obstetrics of
animals.

I prefer allowing the mare warm water, during the first and second
day, with some comfortable mashes, and she and her foal being in
health, little care remains, but that of turning them into pasturage of
the best kind. But the mare being in a weak state, from a prema-
ture birth, cold or other cause, should be kept warm within doors,
with occasional walks abroad, in the finest part of the day, and with
the comfort of warm clothing, should that appear necessary. It is a ma-
nifest, although common error, to suppose that the bodies of animals, under
the influence of cold or other cause of debility, zvill be rendered delicate and
tender after recovery, bij the indulgence oj warmth and shelter, the very re-
verse being the fact. The mare seeming inclined to lie down, should be
encouraged to stretch herself on a large and well-littered bed of fresh
straw, and her milk failing, every thing should be 'given to encourage
that secretion; such as warm, sweet and fresh grains, mashes as before,
with some cordial ball occasionally mixed, the finest and most fragrant
hay, and as much warm ale as she will drink. If, on the contrary, the
symptoms should be inflammatory and feverish, all the heating articles
should be avoided, and the chief dependance placed on warm water
and gruel. This last state is sometimes induced by high condition and
fullness of blood in the mare before foaling, in which circumstances,
it is beneficial to put her for a week or two, into shorter keep, where
she must reduce herself by going over more ground to satisfy her appe-
tite. Or a shorter method is to keep her without water until she will
drink a weak solution of Glauber's salt.

Should

136

Should the mare prove constitutionally a bad milker, it ought to be
some extraordinary reason to induce her owner to breed from her again.
The milk not coming early enough, or in insufficient quantity for the
foal's support, assistance must be had, either from some other fresh milker
which has it to spare, or the deficiency must be made up with cow's
milk skimmed, if too rich, sweetened with a little powder sugar. If the
foal be weak, and unable to draw the teats, the mare must be milked
by hand, and the foal drenched therewith until it acquire strength.
The foal being griped by a change of milk, should have two or three
tea-spoonsful of rhubarb in powder, with magnesia, equal parts, given
in water gruel. If from cold, instead of magnesia, a table spoonful
each of the best brandy and syrup of poppies, may be substituted.
On the loss of a mare, or her total inability to suckle, a foal may be
reared by hand, and yet make a good Horse for any purpose. The
Race-horses, Cade and Milksop were both so reared, as their names
indicate.

Before quitting consideration of the mare, let me remind the common
breeder, of an accident too well known from the earliest times to the
present, namely, the risk of the mare, which takes her chance at large,
foaling in ditch, drain, bog or other dangerous place, when the breeder's
whole hope and profit, the fruit of his twelve months' expectation, is
gone in an instant ! The mare's reckoning should be attentively kept,
and she should be taken, in good time, to a place of safety : always at
the completion of the eleventh month, after which there may not be
an hour's certainty. Again, the straying of Horses is often a source of
much uneasiness and trouble. As a remedy for this, my method upon
the commons, used to be a wooden label, bearing my name and place
of abode, affixed to the manes of the Horses and colts, and to the horns
of young cattle; which simple and easy expedient has, I believe, saved
me many a pounding.

Having had several Horses stolen, I had the intention of locking
case-hardened and file-proof rings, containing my name, upon the
shanks of those which were turned out, but have not hitherto put it in
practice. It must be some security, and were a Horse so provided
stolen in the dark, I apprehend, the thief would not well approve his

bargain

137

bargain by day light, particularly were the ring a known mark of a
stolen Horse. Nothing is more easy than to steal a Horse, and cer-
tanily some remedial plan, some lost-and-found office for stolen Horses
is a grand desideratum in this country.

It will appear, that the breeding and management of Horses to a
good purpose, and indeed of all our domesticated animals, depends on
various observances and precautions, which have been dictated by an-
cient and accumulated experience : that the neglect of these precautions
sometimes even of the most seemingly trifling, may frustrate all hope
of success, which their due observance, hoAvever will, in general, secure
to a most satisfactory degree. Nul/iim viimen' abest, si sit prudent ia,
applies most forcibly and most happily, to these cases.

Little is required to be said of the foals, whilst in high health and
galloping over the lawn, around their dams, to me, an enthusiast in
my affection to the Horse, one of the most pleasing sights in nature.
But they will be occasionally griped by the milk, and more especially
by the stale and pent milk of mares A^hich labour, and which are, in
consequence, separated for hours together from the foals. People
seldom attend to this disorder in foals, but their thriving is impeded
by it, and the giving a drench now and then, of rhubarb and magne-
sia, a good remedv, which may be taken abroad, is unattended with
either much trouble or expence.

There is a very common defect in foals, an obliquity or wrong direc-
tion of the lower joints, by which the foot is turned either out or
in^vard, instead of pointing perfectly straight forward, as it ought.
This defect is generally found in one foot only, but sometimes in both,
and IS either hereditarj^ or the consequence of weakness, or of too
large a gro\vth of the body in proportion to the strength of its suppor-
ters. Osmers seems not thoroughly to have comprehended the nature
of this defect, or he would not have supposed it to arise merely from
the colt's being accustomed to stand in a faulty position, or that a reme-
dy might be found in the common manoeuvre of constantly paring down
one side of the foot. Certainly a remedy is most desirable, every joint
being necessarily weak, in proportion to its deviation from the right line,
and the value of every Horse decreased by the circumstances of his

T not

138 •

not staiuVmg straight. I can propose nothing better than the stocks,
v/hich as they incline our children to turn their toes out, may also
bring our colts to turn theirs in, or out, when already turned in. A
two hours lesson of this kind, twice a day, and continued for months,
might, for ought 1 know, reduce crooked joints to reason.

I have, in another treatise, recommended a practice, in which I
believe, I have been hitherto singular. That of docking the foal
while it sucks. I Avas induced to this by some unsuccessful cases of
docking full grown Horses, in which they suffered much from inflamma-
tion extending to the rump, but chiefly by the motive of lessening
generally the pain of a necessary operation. I have taken oif, Avith a
sharpe knife, a full hand's breadth of the tail of colts, from a month to
three months old, the animals suffering so little from the stroke, that it
did not occasion them to quit their place or even leave off" eating ; nor
were the w^ounds either bound up, or dressed with any kind of applica-
tion. I have also cropped them at that age, from a singular motive.

A few words in this place on cropping, tying together the ears, slit-
ting the nostrils, docking and nicking of Horses, all which, the last
excepted, are barbarities and follies of a very ancient date. Xenophon
in a vein of mystic folly, which so often occurs in the writers of
antiquity, asserts that a mare will not so readily admit the embraces
of the ass, until she has been first degraded by being curtailed of these
graceful ornaments, her ears. Plutarch represents a custom however,
then unknown in Italy, the Horses of certain countries deprived of
their tails, on the supposition that such mutilation would render them
more swift and their back-bones more robust — ' ut equi Jiac miitilatione
alacriores, et spina dorsi rohustiores fierent.' And F aulas Venetus, writes
that the Tartars, docked their Horses, a pre-eminent breed, * auferre
sokrent de osse caudcE, nodos duos vel ires, ne equus sessorem feriiat, Sf ne
caudam mine hue, nune illue, fleetere possit.' That is, they took from
the bone of the tail, two or three joints, least the Horse should strike
his rider, by having the power of wisking his tail from side to side.

Complaints also against these cruelties, were exhibited in former,

as well as in the present times, and there was even a canon of the

church, published against them, in which they were styled reliques of

, paganism^

139

paganism, as may be seen in Collier's Ecclesiastical History. There
can be no excuse or apology for any wanton, or fanciful cruelties
exercised on defenceless beasts. Slitting the nostrils, under the idea,
of giving a more free course to the wind, which is practised in some
countries at this day, I believe indeed, to be a mere ideal, and per-
fectly useless practice. Tying the ears together has been long forgot-
ten. By whom, where, or when, nicking was invented, I have never
heard, but the operation is most barbarous, painful and lingering, the
use none, and the sight often ridiculous, frequently detractive 'from
the figure of the nag, particularly if he shew much blood. I must
bluntly own, that when, some few years since, I read the account of
a Horse-dealer, who in the act of nicking a Horse, had his puddings
kicked by a well directed stroke of the tortured animal's heels, I griev-
ed but on two accounts, for the Horse, and for those left behind by the
deceased. Cropping deprives the internal ear of its natural defence,
and is nine times out of ten, practised by those whose heads are empty
and who, it is pity, do not take the fit of making conjurors of them-
selves, sparing the ears of their unfortunate beasts. But the argument
of interest, so congenial with our natures, must have place, and I
must acknoAvledge, that in the case of huge, bangling, pendulous ears,
the owner of a Horse is, and probably ever will be, tempted to curtail
and reduce their volume, and to remedy nature's blunder, by settino-
them erect. I think the suffering is by no means so great, if the ope^
ration be performed during the colt-hood of the animal; but after ail,
am perfectly content to give up the practice, which is more than I can
say, with regard to docking, although 1 have never had the pleasure
of riding a long-tailed Horse in the fly season, or through dirty roads
in winter. IMost truly, these fine flowing tails might be put into
buckle, a laviilitaire, yet the prejudice of custom will not suffer me
to look upon such a fashion, fbr the turf; road or field, without a
smile. And as the pain of the operation may be reduced to a fleabite,
or that of a bleeding stroke, by performing it, on very young subjects,'
I think little of it reflecting with an aching heart, upon the thousand
times severer tortures, which the ill-fkted animal must have to endure
so incessantly, in his cruel and multiplied labours; on which, our

'^ ^ common

140

common-place philanthropists, confining their humane attentions on
the tail, the ears, or some inconsequential circumstance relative to the
animals, think nothing, or to no manner of purpose.

Foals are weaned on the failure of the autumnal grass, or as we should
say agriculturallv, on the commencement of the straw yard; and they
should be thenceforth well kept and well sheltered from the inclemency
of the ensuing season. Straw yards, stack yards with a run over dry
uplands, and sheds or hovels to receive them at will, are their proper
winter quarters : their food, hay and corn, in order to bring them to their
highest perfection. Hulled oats are allowed by our first-rate breeders,
and it is a very old opinion, that the husks of corn are injurious to
the teeth of young foals, and that they are apt to swallow the corn
whole. Meal with cut hay, is very proper : I have weaned good stock
upon fine pollard, oats, straw and carrots.

Young stock should always be kept tame and gentle, and accustomed
to be handled, and to wear the head-stall. In countries where colts have
an extensive range, as in America, they are so exceedingly shy, that
they sometimes run wild, and at all times, it is matter of great difficulty
to approach near them, or to get them home. One method of catching
them is the offer of salt, to the sight and smell of which they are ac-
customed, by its being allowed to their dams, and it shews what a relish
they have of salt, as well as sheep and oxen; but the craving of that
article seems not so strong in the animals of this country, although it
might be of great use to them, under many circumstances, did not
fiscal reasons, too often in opposition to public beneiit, forbid its use.

It is an old and well-grounded observation^ that the mode of keeping
young stock, whether Horses or any other cattle, during the first and
second Avinter, determines their form and qualities ever after; for if
they shall have been neglected and starved in those critical periods, the
most attentive after care, will be but to make the best of a bad market;
the superior quaWties they might have possessed, can never be reclaim-
ed. In the arrangement and division of the stud, yearlings should not
be admitted among the mares and foals, since the mares will frequently
suffer the former to suck them. In course, colt foals will afterwards be
kept separate and by themselves.

I hav

le^

141

I have but this remark to make on the castration of colts; should
the colt, at the usual period of performing the operation, namely two
or three years old, be low-conditioned and weak, or should the owner
be desirous of giving a colt the chance of rising to its full size of crest
and forehand, or of acquiring that full tone of strength and firmness,
which it is supposed, the retention of his masculine property will confer
upon him, castration may be deferred until the autumn, in which the
Horse is four years old off, allowing the Horse afterwards a winter's holi-
day. The operation is now performed with so much safety by skilful
farriers, that there is little danger at any age; and as to the objection
sometimes made, of Horses, late-cut, being inclined to obstinacy or
restiveness, it can have no real weight, since stallions are ridden with
equal safety as geldings.

But the BREAKING, or training colts to their destined uses, in which
they perform their duty in that state of life wherein they have been
placed by nature, should on no account be deferred to a late period; not
only as it is then compassed Avith difliculty and often imperfectly, but
as it is ofttimes necessarily attended with circumstances of harshness and
barbarity. I have elsewhere expressed my surprize and regret, at
the custom, which yet prevails to a certain degree, in Devonshire, of
suffering their colts to run wild until five years old, when they are
two often reduced to obedience, and perhaps imperfectly, by very
cruel treatment. This bizarre, out of the way occurrence strikes us,
in the finest country upon earth for breeding Horses, but where, un-
accountably, very few are bred. Surely the old notion of this or that
being breeding countries, from an imagined exclusive adaptation, can-
not extend to Devonshire, which possesses every natural requisite:
soundness and hardness of soil, excellence of herbage, irregularity of
surface, purity of air and water.

It will be sufficient in this place, to make a few general observations
on the subject of colt-breaking, since it will recur in a«more particular
form in treating of the manege. In truth, foals should be in a constant
state of preparation from the teat, by being handled, haltered and
occasionally led about, and always kindly used, that they may become
intirely familiar with their keepers, and so the less likely to be alarmed

and

142

and offended when taken seriously in liand. Foals from use will be as
easy and as much at home in the stable, as their dams, and will thence
Mibmit to be haltered fast; a thing which at one time or other may
prove of consequence ; for I remember the circumstance of a lot of
valuable colts and fillies, being sent to the metropolis for sale, when
tDne of them Avas found dead in the stable, having fallen back and broken
his neck in the halter.

Yearlings may be broke and bitted if necessary, mounted by ?i feather
or boy of light weight; exclusive of turf purposes, such might be a pru-
dent speculation, ^^ ith a colt in which the hereditary taint of restiveness
was suspected, of the possible existence of which I do not doubt: but
the colt must ncA^er afterwards be intirely neglected, for I have seen
three-year olds backed, bitted and turned off, and when taken in hand
the following year, as wild and awkward as at fust.

But the usual, indeed proper time to break a colt, is as soon as his
substance is sufficiently consolidated and his joints knit, to be able to
bear the weight of a capable breaker, without injury, which is in his
third year. Many small farmers, or other chance breeders, undertake
to break, that is, determine to spoil their colts, giving them neither
mouth nor distinct paces. However in the vicinity of running stables,
and in our great breeding districts, expert horse-breakers, are always
found.

A horse-breaker should not ride a heavy weight, far less be of a
passionate and hasty disposition, such hair-brained fellows being far
more fit for the cells of bedlam, than for the use of the stable or the
course. Indeed patience and a certain mildness of temper, are the
first requisites for an attendant, not only upon Horses, but upon every
species of domesticated animals. With Horses for a man to excel, it is
requisite to join with temper, a degree of resolution bordering in
fearlessness; and this character is so well and instinctively known to
the animals, that frequently, the most naturally and incurably restive,
will proceed quietly with such.

The colt should first of all, be taught patiently to comprehend that
which is required of him, and afterwards obedience is to be mildly and
gently, but resolutely enforced, and the point must never be conceded

to

143

to obstinacy'. Tlie punishmciit of the whip and spur, Avhen nccessarv,
must be inflicted with energy and effect, yet always without passion.
Tlie passion of the Horse should ever remind the rider to avoid it in
himself, and it should invariably serve him as a memento. A certain
kind of counteracting obstinac}^ in the jockey, has often had its effect.

A colt shall determine, that he will rather break both his OAvn neck
and that of his rider, than proceed one inch farther, in a certain direc-
tion; his rider, in a language, not unfashionable even at court, being
lip to him, determines to try the cause by a demurrer. Taking a i-ein
in each hand, setting his knees fast, and holding the spurs as close as
possible to the Horse's sides, without actually touching them, he forci-
bly keeps the head in the required direction, and in that way retains it,
for so long a time, that the animal at length finding it more irksome
to stand still in such a forced position, than to proceed, of two evils,
chooses the least. On his going forward, he is encouraged, and per-
mitted to go at his ease.

The lessons of colts should not be fatiguing, but at no rate exhausting.
It is an old, but a very erroneous and ^'ery dangerous practice, to run
obstinate and refractory colts over deep-ploughed grounds, the readiest
mode either totally to break their spirit or to render them desperate
runaways; and at the extreme risk of injuring their young and yet
tender joints, and of creating a predisposition to wind-galls, and bog-
spavins, maladies alas, the access of which need not be courted. A
dead level and light ground, with a quiet, strong-armed fellow to hold
the nag, to the steady stroke of half speed, will soon bring the most
mettlesome, or the most resolute Horse, to his sober senses, and indeed
soon make his valour malleable !

One of the prime objects is, to give the colt a good mouth, that is,
possessing sufficient sensibility to enter freely into all the views of the
governing hand, without being so tender as to flinch from those fair
pulls, absolutely necessary to English, in other words, speedy riding.
More of this in another place, which is not at all understood out of
England and Ireland, nor by many among ourselves. If the nag have
a good forehand, and his head be well set on, it will naturally come
into a good place, merely from his going in the colt tackle, and will so

remain:

144

remain: but if otherwise, if his head be too long or more especially,
if he be cock throppled, which is, to wear the arch below, instead of
above his neck, he will never carry his head, or rein Avell, and the
giving him a good mouth, is the best and only thing which can be
done for him.

Colts which do not sufficiently bend their knees, or are careless
goers, should be ridden with care over deep earth, ruts and stoney
grounds, and frequently blinded with winkers, which will occasion
them to lift uj) their feet, as it may be observed all blind Horses do.
They should be accustomed to stand fire, to endure the beat of a drum,
and various strange noises, and sights: to pass Avindmills under sail,
tilted waggons, bonfires, and all those objects at which the gene-
rality of our Horses are, or pretend to be, violent alarmists. Some
one of my readers may perhaps ridicule vay superfluous and trouble-
some cautions, one week, and get his neck broke by a shy Horse the next.
I however, wish every one of them, more caution and better luck.

A great defect in common colt-breakers is, that they are not aware
of the consequence of teaching, or rather suffering, a colt to perform
his paces distinctly, and without jumbling and confusing one pace with
another, an ill habit which seldom afterwards leaves him. For exam-
ple, a Horse being hurried in his walk by an unskilful rider, will get
into an awkward hitch, between the walk and trot, or between the
trot and canter.

The CANTER, or contracted gallop, or as it was formerly called in
Suffolk, the hand gallop, is a natural pace of the Horse, and a very
valuable and pleasant one, when steadily, safely and handsomely per-
formed. But although this be a natural pace and much used by colts
whilst at their liberty, yet I have observed that even those which have
cantered about the fields most readily and gracefully, scarcely affected
it at all when they came to be ridden, and were brought to canter with
reluctance. No colt, if in health, ever failed to canter in the fields,
beside his dam, yet what numbers of hacknies a man may mount,
which he cannot put into a canter ; or which, if by force, they may be
made to hobble on, most probably with the wrong foot first, will not
be weary of the pace, in the course of a few hundred yards. This arises

fi'om

145

from disuse of the pace at the outset, since all are capable of it, and
some, mostly those having good shoulders, are calculated to excel in
the performances with gracefulness and ease to themselves, and such
are emphatically styled cantering hacks. All colts should be accus-
tomed to canter steadily, and with the right foot foremost. It is
certainly an excellent substitute for the artificial ambling of former
days, and is the proper pace of ladies' pads, and useful for bred hackneys,
and such as cannot trot with much expedition.

With respect to the trot, nothing can be taught ; but the colt should
be accustomed to perform the pace steadily, and with the knee suffi-
ciently bent, were any remedy to be found for a defect of that kind.
Should he appear probable to become a fast trotter, he should never be
urged, whilst young, to his speed in that pace, which even the limbs of
full aged Horses endure with difficulty; indeed are seldom able to endure
at all, for any great length of time. It has long been the custom in the
breeding districts, to use their young saddle stock in draught, chiefly at
plough. The work being light, this never did them any prejudice, but
it is now become a custom of peculiar utility, since light Horses are in
such general use for draught, and it is advantageous to teach every colt
of sufficient size to go in harness. Another point of education I have
often insisted upon, for humanity sake, but I fear not hitherto with
success. It is, the propriety and advantage of teaching every cart colt
to BACK, and that with care and perseverance, that he may ever after
do it readily, and so escape much of the accustomed brutal usage during
his life, which will be also, in consequence, additionally useful. These
several qualifications acquired by a Horse in his youth, certainly ought,
and doubtless would be remembered afterwards in his price.
• The AGE of a Horse is well known to be ascertainable by the cavitv in
his teeth, until he is rising eight j^ears old, after which the cavity is filled
np. It is asserted, however, by the French writers, that in the teeth of
the upper jaw, this mark remains in most Horses until their twelfth year ;
and that certain Horses, more particularly among those of Poland, retain
the mark in both jaws, to old age. The teeth being filled, a Horse's ao-e
can only be guessed by the following appearances: plumpness of the
muscles, a lively gloss upon the coat,, fullness and cheerfulness in and

u about

146

about the eyes, whiteness of the teeth, those not being very long, and
meeting tolerably even, such are indications that the Horse is not so old as
to be past good service. Contrary-wise, a gaunt and sinking appearance,
bending of the back, falling of the belly, deadness of the hair, which in
the face will often be grey, sinking in the eye-pits, depression of the
bars of the mouth, discoloration and length of the teeth, those of the
upper jaw lapping over the under, the flesh receding from the upper
parts of the former, the roundness and bluntness of the tushes, the lower
lip pendulous— are the tokens, that the poor animal's work is nearly done,
and that little more can, or ought to be, expected from him.

A Horse has forty teeth, viz. twenty-four molares, grinders, or double
teeth; four single teeth, or tushes; and twelve incisores, nippers, or
gatherers, being the front teeth; mares have generally no tushes. The
mark is sought in the corner teeth adjoining the tushes.

The foal's teeth appear sometimes in a few weeks, sometimes later j
Ihey are in front, twelve in number, six above and six below ; short,
round and white, resembling human teeth, and easily distinguishable
from the adult, or Horses' teeth, with which they are afterwards
commixed.

The colt, or filly, being two years and a half old, more or less,
acquires four Horses' teeth, two above and two below, instead of four
colt's teeth, which have been shed from the middle of the jaws. The
new teeth are stronger, and twice the size of the foal's teeth; and when
a colt has these four complete, he is reckoned three years old ; and
indeed in some, the change is not completed until that period.

At the age of three years and a half, or between that period and his
becoming four years old, the colt loses four more of his first teeth :
two above and two below, one on each side the centre teeth. Being
four years old, the two middle teeth are full grown ; and the only colt's
teeth left are those at the corners, which will afterwards be replaced by
the mark-teeth.

Somewhat before, or at four years old, the tushes may be felt ; they
are curved like those of other beasts, but in a young Horse are sur-
rounded by a sharp edge, and are in a degree hollow and grooved.
Being full four years old, the colt sheds his remaining four first teeth,

which

147

which are replaced by the four corner, or mark teeth. These teeth are
slow growers, but at four years and a half are visible above the gums,
which have then a raw or inflamed, appearance. The cavity of the
mark teeth is fleshy, having a dark spot in the centre, resembling the
eye of a bean, which is the mark.

When the tushes do not appear in due time, namely, on the centre
of the mouth being perfect, it may be taken for granted, the unfair
trick has been played, of prematurely removing the foal's teeth, in order
to accelerate the appearance of four years old, that the colt may be
rendered more saleable. Even with a filly this trick may be betrayed
by the shortness of her teeth ; and with a colt it ought not to succeed,
since it is generally certain, that a colt cannot be four years old, unless
his tushes may be seen or felt.

At the age of five years, the Horse's middle teeth have acquired
nearly their full size ; the corner teeth arise somewhat above the gums,
and the size of the tushes is increased, they continuing rough and sharp
on the edges. The corner, or mark-teeth, are now styled sheUy, from
their resemblance to a shell, which encircles half way the flesh in the
centre, and which flesh, during the further growth of the teeth, disap-
pears, leaving a palpable cavity. At, or soon after five years, the
mark-teeth are about the thickness of a crown piece above the gums.
In a half year more they will be upwards of a quarter of an inch; and
the Horse being full six years of age, these corner teeth will be nearly
half an inch, or more, above the gums.

The corner teeth in the upper jaw, fall before those in the inferior;
in course the upper corner teeth are seen before those below ; on the
contrary, the tushes in the under gums, appear before those in the
upper.

At six years the tushes are full grown, or said to be up, appearing
white, small and sharp, and surrounded by a small circle of florid,
growing flesh. The cavity in the corner teeth is just perceptible, the
black mark having very nearly reached the upper extremity.

At seven, the two middle teeth fill up, and the black mark becomes
of a fainter colour, and less visible in the corner teeth. Between the

u 2 seventh

148

seventh and eighth year, all the teeth are filled, and the mark is
generally obliterated at eight years old, when the Horse is said to be
aged, and his mouth full. At nine and ten years old, the tushes
become smooth and blunt, the cavity or channel to be felt in the upper
tushes, generally until ten years, being then entirely obliterated. The
dark spot, however, remains several years after, upon the summits of
the teeth of some Horses, which appearance, taken singly, Avould indi-
cate them only eight years of age, rendering it necessary to take
into the question the other indications of age already stated.

If the teeth shut close and even, are tolerably white, and not very
long, the gums and the palate, or bars of the mouth, plump, and other
signs corresponding, the Horse may be concluded not more than nine
years old. Henceforward, his teeth become yellow and foul, appearing
to lengthen from the shrinking or receding of the gums. At eleven,
the teeth will be very long, black, and foul, yet may meet even ; but
at twelve years old the upper will overhang the nether jaw : afterwards
the tushes will either be worn to stumps, or remain long and black,
like those of an old boar.

The trick of bishopping Horses, or of graving a counterfeit mark
on the corner teeth, was formerly much more in use than at present.
But such mark has always an artificial appearance ; and as it can
seldom correspond with the state of the tusks and other tokens of age,
no purchaser need be deceived by it, although the teeth be scraped and
filed down short and even. I saw one instance of endless misery
brought upon a poor animal, by treatment of this kind. From the
injury done to her teeth she was ever after incapable of chewing either
hay or corn, generally swallowing the latter whole, and dropping the
former from her mouth in attempting to chew it ; in consequence she
was ever weak and incapable of labour, and thence, from a seemingly
unavoidable injustice, liable to perpetual abuse. The perpetrators of
such villany ought to have a mark of infamy set upon them, that they
may be detested and avoided by all who have any pretence to honesty
and humanity.

THE

149

THE STABLE.

IT has been observed, that nothing can be a greater proof of the high
rank which the Horse holds in the affection and esteem of man thaij
those magnificent, as well as comfortable dwellings, which, in all times,
he has been at the pains and expence to erect, for the use and
gratification of his favorite, A most prominent modern example were
the celebrated stables at Chantilly, in France, built upon a scale of
grandeur and magnificence, and replenished with Horses and attendants^
to an extent truly royal. But in our own country, in which affectionate
designation, I always mean, and hope ever to include Ireland, we
have not only equalled all other inodern nations, in the grandeur and
elegance of those dwellings erected by the opulent for their Horses,
but far exceeded them, in every point of comfort and convenience.
And this will be acknowledged as a fact no way dependent on that
prejudice in our own favor, which is supposed by foreigners so closely
to inhere in the characters of Englishmen. r

But every former example of magnificence in this way, knowQ
among us, must yield the palm to the noble and splendid pilei of
stabling lately erected, and the extensive establishment of His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales at Brighton. We had just reason
to expect this from the taste and magnificence of the Prince, from
his royal attachment to the Horse, and from his exquisite skill in that
noblest of animals, whether upon the turf, in the chace, upon the road,
or in the military manege. In this, always the pursuit of the great and
noble, our Prince emulates the most illustrious heroes of antiquity.

This equestrian palace, forming one of the proudest ornaments of
Brighthelmstone, was erected under the direction of Mr. Porden.
The style of its architecture and method of construction seem to be
without precedent in this country; and the whole is deemed by judges
the most successful architectural effort which has been witnessed oX
late years.

The entrance of the Prince's stables is from Church-street, through
a spacious and lofty arch, in the Hindoo style of architecture, leading

ta-

150

to a large square court, in which are situated the coach-houses, coach-
horse stables, appropriate offices, and servants' rooms. An arched
gateway opposite leads to the circular area, which is eighty feet dia-
meter, and contains within its circle, the stables for saddle horses, their
doors opening into the area, and receiving their light from the splendid
dome above. This dome, a chef d'oeuvre of its kind, has attracted the
general notice and applause of the cognoscenti for its singularly beauti-
ful lightness and elegance. Twenty-four ribs of timber divide it into
as many parts, the ribs meeting in the circular frame, which supports
the cupola. Out of the divisions are formed sixteen sky-lights, which,
with the cupola itself, are surmounted by an elegant coronet. The
cupola being open, stands in the place of a ventilator. The remaining
eight compartments of the dome are filled up Avith ornamental pannels
in stucco, which relieve by their variety, and obviate too great a glare
of light, which must have poured in from a sky-light of such vast
dimensions. There is a perfect unison of style and manner in the
construction and ornament of the dome, of the arcades of the sur-
rounding gallery, and of the fronts of the building, filling the tasteful
and critical eye with a simple, elegant, and harmonious whole.

From another arch in a similar style is the passage to the new
gardens of the Pavilion. The vista through these several arches,
terminated by the trees and shrubs of the garden, is highly picturesque
and beautiful. The east and western arches of the circular area lead
to the Tennis Court and Riding House; upon those arches the stair-
cases are formed, which ascend to an open gallery, surrounding the
area communicating with the offices, harness and saddle rooms, and
commanding a full view of the structure at large, which comprises
stabling for upwards of seventy Horses, with every possible convenience
in request from utility or refinement. The Riding House is two hun-
dred feet long, and sixty feet wide, with a spacious Tennis Court.

The whole edifice, particularly the bold, light and elegant construc-
iion of the dome, do infinite credit to the genius and talents of the
architect, and are said to give intire satisfaction to His Royal High-
ness, who finds his own ideas of magnificence, taste, and accommoda-
,i;ion, fully realized. It has been objected, that the atmosphere of the

stables

151

stables is too warm to be consistent with the Horse's health, which,
however well grounded, is common-place, as apj)licable to our stables
in general. Granting the reality of this defect in the stables of the
Prince, nothing is more easy than the remedy.

A description of the numerous stables upon the large scale, and of
the splendid establishments for Horses in this country would require
volumes. It must suffice, that I indicate as specimens, those of His
Majesty, of the Dukes of Grafton, Richmond, Devonshire, Bedford,
the Earls of Egremont, Darlington, Grosvenor, and Captain Durand.

The old writers have left us the legacy of some wholesome general
rules, to be observed in the choice of groimd, and in the construction
of a stable; but particular comforts and useful accommodation are
discoveries of a later date. The former insisted much, and indeed
with reason, on the nature of the ground, whereon a stable was to be
built; that it ought to be firm and hard, and rather on an ascent, that
the Horses might have clean and dry ingress and egress, throughout every
season ; that the building should be constructed of brick, rather than
stone, the latter yielding damps in moist Aveather, inimical to the wind
and general health of the Horses. That the thickness of the walls
should be two bricks, or at least one and a half; not only for the sake
of sufficient warmth in winter, an object congenial with the constitution
of the Horse, but in order to keep out the summer's heat. They
would have the aspect of the Avindows towards the east and north,
that the northern air might be admitted to cool the stables in summer,
and the rising sun all the year, more especially in winter. The
windows either to be sashed, or to have large casements, that the
stream of air admitted might be sufficiently copious ; and to these
were to be attached close wooden shutters, for the purposes of warmth,
and of rendering the stable dark, when necessary. The neighbourhood
of pigs and poultry, and of any thing which could occasion ill smells,
so disgusting to the olfactory nerves of the Horse, an animal delighting
in cleanliness, was strictly to be avoided. The ancient flooring of the
stable was all of stone, but in England, oaken plank laid cross-Avise Avas
formerly in use for the stalls. Drains Avere sunk to carry oft' the urine,

which

152

which would be facihtated by the ascent, on which the stable ought
to stand.

The reader will note as much of the above as he judges may
quadrate with modern views and occasions: in the mean time, I
request his attention, whilst I endeavour to describe what the modern
English stable is, and the improvements of which I think it still
susceptible. Architecture and ornament are here out of question, we
only treat of the component parts of the stable, its accommodations
and comforts, in which, to a certain degree, every stable ought to
partake.

An English stable generally is a building attached to others, or
not, as convenience may demand, and placed without any particular
regard to aspect or situation. It has a single door, with a window or
windows, to admit light, but perhaps without the convenience of
opening them to admit the fresh air, the whole benefit of which enjoyed
within, is from the occasional opening of the door. The ground-floor
is now usually paved with clinkers or stones, and if intended for more
than one Horse, divided into standings or stalls, by bars or whole
partitions. Racks and mangers are the universal feeding places, and
a few pegs or nails, with perhaps a shelf or two and a corn chest,
compose the remaining conveniences. Upon a floor above, the hay
is deposited, and the dung is generally piled up at the stable door,
sometimes within-side the stable.

• It is vain to recommend stable improvements, where want of room
'and other circumstances absolutely interdict them. This most parti-
cularly respects the close and crouded stables of large towns. The
business here is only to point out palliations of misery, which may be
in almost any situation practicable, and which every man of feeling,
fend indeed having the feelings of his own interest about him, will
attend to. Horses in the above confined situations are ever liable to
grease, scratches, thrushes, fevers, blindness, colds, rheumatisms,
contractions of the sinews, hardness and surbating of the hoofs, broken
"wind, and a thousand ails, for which the veterinary nomenclature has
not yet provided tlistinctions.

153

Is it wot strange, that mankind in all things industriously shun (^heap
prevention, as if for the mere luxury of expensive cure ? The stalls
should not only be as wide, but as long, as the space allowed will
possibly admit ; and the pavement should be even, with a very gentle
descent. Very commonly, in ordinary stables, the pavement on which
the wretched animals not only stand, but even lie, perhaps without
litter, consists of stones, with their points projecting upwards. The
standing even, upon such a hard and irregular surface, must be most
distressing, instead of contributing to rest. Cleanliness also, and the
evacuation of foul and unwliolesome air, are generally neglected.
The dung should, as often as possible, be removed from the stable,
and the windows and door left open, whilst the Horses are away.
There is besides, a species of cleanliness totally forgotten, even in the
stables of those who can well afford to act otherwise. The mangers,
racks, stall-boards, walls and ceiling, ought to be kept clean, and even
white-washing would be advantageous. The Horse is said to be an
animal delighting in cleanliness, in every thing about him, and it is
supposed highly contributary to his health; yet you may scrape the
dirt and filth from the manger of every ordinary stable. The hay
chamber too, is equallj'^ a receptacle for dirt, dust, cobwebs, and the
duns of rats and mice. Ye inconsiderate and cold-hearted owners of
such stables, ye deserve not the services of that generous and noble
beast, whose comforts and health you thus sacrifice.

But to proceed to the pleasing part of our subject, the comfortable
and hospitable British stable, that of the country gentleman. As
improvement must be j^rpgressive, let us enquire, whether even this
good thing be not susceptible of improvement. In conveniences and
comforts for the Horse, every system must give place to that of the turf,
and amongst the principal comforts and benefits which that system
afTords, must be reckoned the loose stable, or well-littered room or
box, in which the Horse reclines, stretches out his wearied, heated, or
debilitated limbs, and rolls at his ease. This may be truly called the
grand restorative of the Horse, second only to a run abroad. Horses
under any kind of indisposition are benefitted by standing without the
confinement of the head ; on which account, where no boxes can be

X had.

154

had, it is a tolerable substitute to leave a Horse loose in his stall, a bar,
or some such convenience, securing him within his bounds.

Having long observed the great benefit of this, especially to Horses,
exposed to severe exertions on the road or field, I some years since
proposed, that in good stables, every stall should be converted into a
box, in which the Horse might always stand loose, two moveable bars
running across the bottom of the stall. Tliis was afterwards put in
practice in various stables, and 1 believe proved satisfactory. If custom
would permit us to reflect, we should be convinced, that a Horse con-
fined by the head, to the small space which he covers, and remaining
habitually fixed in such situation, must subject him to that variety of
disorders resulting from defect of motion, to which we so perpetually
see him liable. The sleepy staggers is doubtless often brought on from
this cause, joined to high feeding. Thus, the loose standing is not only
beneficial to hard worked Horses, but to those which are high fed and
do little, their airings and exercise also being neglected. Those with
greased and swelled legs, that perpetually stand, when tied up, will be
induced to lie down and roll, one of the best remedies in their case,
if turned loose into a well littered and roomy stall. A manger is an
incumbrance in a loose stall, and perhaps in every other. It must be
acknowledged, that standing loose, a Horse uses more litter than when
haltered; but there is a far more fatal objection, it gives the groom
more trouble, an object of superior consideration in his view, than the
benefit occurring to the health of the Horse, from the exercise of turn-
ing, stretching and rolling. The master must decide between his
Horse's health and his groom's extra trouble.

At the same time, I likewise recommended, the circular or rotunda
form, for the stabling and appertaining offices of a gentleman's coini-
try residence, as both useful and ornamental to an estate. The circu-
lar building to contain stables, boxes, carriage-houses, harness and sad-
dle rooms, granary, lodging for grooms, smith's forge, surgery, bath,
and every other requisite convenience for the Horse, or his attendants ;
the internal circle to form a spacious ride, well covered above, for the
sake of exercise in bad weather; the uncovered area shut in (rom in-
trusion, would form a most convenient space for all the various neces-
sary

Dctigiud. ly OuxfStu^n .-.

«' TO so op Fat-

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JUHL.fwJ /iM^jAit. h Jamri IlinArf Jt Jfkn jCtPttlrnJcit.

155

sary occasions, including that of a good wash-pond. The roofs of the
buildings to be guttered and disposed, so as to secure the rain water,
which if wanted, might be preserved- in receptacles, communicating
ultimately with the pond in the centre.

In a bleak and exposed, or a deep and dirty country, the above plan
of stabling would afford comfort to both man and Horse, indescribable,
and indeed unnecessar} to be described, to those who know and feel.
The windows might be placed without, or in the front of the building,
whence, the stable doors being within-side, opening into the ride, a
thorough draught of air would be obtained, to purify on any particular
occasion, or to preserve the in-door atmosphere constantly pure. This
is an object too much neglected, even in superior stables: not that I
would decry a reasonable warmth, which comforts and agrees with the
constitution of the Horse; but in his absence, his room should ever be
supplied with fresh air, an attention which, in the course of my life, I
have never yet observed in any groom ; on the contrary, all whom
I have ever known, have shewn a marked aversion to it. Why
again, where are plenty of hands, and many of them too idle to keep
themselves down to a reasonable Aveight, should not every part, every
board, wall and corner of a stable, be preserved as nice and clean, as
that scene of jollity and indulgence, the servants* hall? Occasional
fumigations also, are very beneficial, very comfortable, and very condu-
cive to the health of the Horses, and they besides help to drive away
rats, mice and insects. These may be made with the oxy-muriatic
acid, or simply with sulphur, or smothered fires of green pine
branches.

To return to generals, neither racks nor mangers are of absolute
necessity in a stable, and their inconveniences were matter of complaint
in former days. From the old-fashioned rack, extending across the
stall, and projecting at the summit, the Horse was liable to catch dust
and hay seeds in his eyes, and those racks were often placed so high as
to render it inconvenient to low Horses to reach their provender.
Fixed racks and mangers are, besides, always contaminated with the
breath and slaver of the animals feeding from them. The modern
small circular racks is convenient, and might be made moveable. In

X 2 some

15^

some places, drawers are used instead of mangei-s, but any moveable
Avooden convenience would answer the end ; and it is an old opinion
that Horses ought not to be compelled to lift: their heads much higher
than their knees whilst feeding.

Where saving of room is the chief consideration, a hay-chamber
seems indispensible ; where the leading object is not such, as little hay
as possible, should be kept subject to the contamination of the pene-
trating effluvia of the stable, and of all kinds of dirt from cats and
vermin, and spiders, which must be the case in a chamber or loft, where
besides, a great portion of the juices and goodness of the haj% are soon
dried away. Hay should be kept as long as possible in the stack, to
speak of country stables ; and Avhen cut for use, in any considerable
quantity, should be trussed and bound, as for the London market, as
the only method of preserving its goodness to the last.

The drain of urine from the stable should always be kept clear and
pervious, and the dung cast without doors, every stable time, which
will be at least three times in the day. Should it be necessary for the
urine to run to the end of the stall, a very gradual descent will suffice,
but the drain is now frequently made, with a grating, in the centre of
the stall. The gangway of the stable ought not to be encumbered
M'ith corn chests, pails, brooms, or any lumber for which an anti-room
or passage is the most proper place, where also shelves, closets and presses
may be placed.

As of hay, the less of corn also, which is kept in hot stables the
better. Dr. Plot, in his history of Oxfordshire, gives the very ingenious
contrivance of a gentleman of that country in his time, for the letting
down of oats and split beans from the chamber above, through two
hoppers and pipes, observing, that every time any corn is drawn in that
mode, the whole heap is moved, and consequentl)'^ aired. The method
appears to me convenient, and the hoppers might communicate either
with a loose heap in the chamber or the bottom of a chest, which I
should prefer.

Horses are secured in their stalls by two halters, each passing through
a ring at the extremity of the manger, a clog of wood being attached
to the end of the halters. Level with the Horse's head, in front, is a

convenience

157

convenience to fasten liim by the nose-band, for the groom's securitv
whilst dressing him. On eac;h post at the lower end of the stall, there
ought to be a strap to buckle to the headstall of the bridle, when it may
be necessary to set the Horse upon the bit, his tail towards the manger.

The Stable Customs and Duties,

With respect to cart stables, and those of the ordinary description,
it will be only necessary to give a caution or two. One of the greatest
consequence is, that Horses may never be fed together in such Avay,
that the strongest, or most spirited, may monopolize the food, or at
least cull the best of it, which he most assuredly will do. And so it
is with all animals, in feeding either within or without doors. Sickly
or faint-hearted Horses, or those with aged or young mouths, are very
liable to have their spirits broken, and their strength wasted by the
vicious attacks of their more powerful fellows, and at the best, such
contests ruin the comfort of their meals. Nor is the care of a man
looking on, by any means a sufficient security in this case. Such are
the jobs, of which all servants soon become wearied. Partitions, or
absolute confmement of the heads of the master-beasts, are the only
security. In common stables, Avhere the expence of fiiU stalls will not
be allowed, quarter-stalls will be sufficient, as far as regards feeding: by
this term I mean boarded partitions reaching to the shoulders of the
Horses, in order to separate their heads. No two labouring animals
ought to be fed together where it can be avoided, nor ought their
heads to be within reach, for the master-beast will ever take a malifrnant
pleasure in teazing and harrassing his fellow, often in injuring him,
and more especially in case of the low state or sickness of the latter, or
of his being a stranger. Such is nature!

It is the liberal custom of the British stable, to allow the Horse a
good bed, and a good carpet of wheat straw. The utility of this has
been, within these few years, controverted, and even pretended mis-
chiefs from it pointed out, under the guise of new discoveries. But
these novelties may be traced as far back as Xenophon, and the com-
ments upon him, by Berenger. The origin of this penury, the shift

without

158

without straw, dates from those countries, ancient or modern, which
produce none ; that is to say, none for the purpose of the Horse's com-
fort, such ought not to be examples on the plentiful and luxuriant
soil of old Enland. Ought we also to follow the other example, and
give straw only for fodder, because other countries produce no hay?

It was the ancient notion, that standing upon bare stones, would
render the Horse more hardy, from the cold, and his feet more tough
and durable. Let us attend to the objection of our earliest jockey
writer, the learned and logical Michael Baret, who wrote in the reign
of James I. He is opposing, -on this topic, his contemporary Morgan,
" And whereas he doth say, it will make the hoofs tough and durable,
he deceiueth himselfe, except hee will hold that the more a thing is
M'orn, it will be the more durable, for with continually standing and
mouing upon the stones, it will both weare and breake their hoofs,
so that they will rather be brittle than tough : and againe, what need a
perfect hoofe any repaying, if his assertion were admitted, for it is
naturally tough and durable of itself: But if not perfect, then the con-
tinual use of the stones will make it worse; for if it be flat, then it will
be in danger of hoofe binding, in regard the coffin will be so dry, that
it cannot spread so fast as the flesh doth grow, by reason of the moist-
nessof the frush; and if it be brittle, the stones will cause it to breake
the more. Therefore, for the remedying of all these dangers, I think
it best, that they have continually store of litter to stand and lye upon,
at their pleasure ; for no man can limit a better order than nature
itselfe would worke." Vineyard of Horsemanship.

The Horses in most continental stables, I have been informed, make
a poor, rough and shabby figure, from the want of comfortable stand-
ing; and in this country, in our great towns, wherever we see hard-
worked, greased and surbated Horses standing upon the bare stones,
drooping, holding down the head, and changing the feet, they exhibit
spectacles of misery, more particularly in the cold season. The hot
and wearied foot requires, and well deserves, a soft resting place, and let
the economist, who is ambitious of judging correctly in this case, take
a forced march of fifty miles, over rough and stony roads, and at
night, rest his feet upon the solid planches. I have a conviction, that

standing

X

159

standing constantly upon hard stones, in a stable, will have the effect
to benumb, enfeeble and founder, the soundest hoofs, in the course of
time, and that with the weak, such effect will be more speedy. Never-
theless, a medium may be observed, and less straw is required in hot
weather, and it should always be as clean as can be afforded, since
standing upon hot dung is another extreme, and may be ver}'^ injurious
to the feet and legs of Horses. Dried Horse-dung, indeed, is used in
the East for litter, and we sometimes see it here reduced to a curious
soft powder, spreadover the floors of the riding house. In littering a
Horse down very deep, such an accident has occasionally happened, as
his taking up a straw with his yard, into the sheath, and it may have
disagreeable consequences.

Servants who have the care of Horses are styled grooms, hostlers,
and horse-keepers. The two latter relate to stables where Horses are
let out to hire, to inns, and to cart-stables. The hours of attendance,
in regular and sporting stables, are four times a day : early in the morn-
ing, twelve at noon, afternoon and night. For a groom to be capable
of his business, it is absolutely necessary that he should have served a
year or two, at least, in some stable of repute. Raw lads entrusted by
themselves to the care of Horses, always make a miserable and ridicu-
lous hand of the business, to the great discomfort and often injury of
the cattle, and the burlesque of their master. It requires not only a
knowledge of stable discipline, to manage the Horse at all points, but a
certain dexterity of hand, in the use of the comb and brush, to rid his
carcase of dirt and impurity, but more particularly his legs and feet,
and to preserve them from grease. We have no heaven-born grooms.
In the running stables, a lad is required to every Horse, under the
superintendance of the training groom, but in the common way, a groom
will take care of two hacks or hunters. There is seldom much regu-
larity in cart stables, and my own have generally exhibited a bad
example ; but it is the labour of one capable man at least, to dress and
sufficiently attend four cart-horses. All cart and coach-horses, whilst
upon dutv and standing still, in cold rains, or piercing winds, should
have a substantial covering thrown over their loins.

Saddle and coach-horses kept in high condition, stand in the stable

clothed

160

clothed in a kersey sheet, and generally a quarter piece, the sheet
girded with a broad roller. The breast plate is put on or not, according
to circumstances, on J^oing out to exercise; the hood is used to Race
horses only, excepting in case of sickness. Clothing is certainly unne-
cessary in the summer season, excepting to Racers, but custom and the
desire oi" seeing our hackney's coats in the highest style of smoothness
and sleekness, have decided in favour of keeping them clothed. The
articles above stated constitute the suit of Horse clothes, the price of
which is at this time, like that of every thing else, advanced.

Some grooms have the very absurd practice of girding their Horse's
bodies excessively tight in the stable, under the notion, in their phrase,
of getting up their carcases. But in reahty, no other end is answered,
than that of putting the animals to great pain and risk of injury. If a
Horse have a large carcase, it is a sign of his ability to labour, and
exercise is the only proper and eftectual mean of its reduction. But
happily, and much to the credit of the present times, very few of the
barbarous and unmeaning tricks, formerly so much in use with Horses,
are now put in practice, or even known.

Saddle Horses of all descriptions, and those used in quick draught,

are now trimmed, in the following manner. The legs and heels are

trimmed quite close and delicately smooth and even, with the comb

and scissars. The long hairs around the eyes are pulled, those below

upon the nose and lips, cut close with the sc'.ssars. The hair under the

chin and in the ears is singed off Avith a lighted candle. The mane is

puUed v.ith the fingers, a few hairs at a time, until thin enough to hang

lightly and smoothly on the offside of the Horse's neck, to somewhat

more than a finger's length. At the upper extremity of the neck, the

mane is shorn close with the scissars, to the extent of two or three

fingers breadth, in order to admit the headstall of the bridle, and this

leaves, detached from the mane, the foretop: this lock cut close in the

front, at the roots, with the scissars, and at the extremity, with the

knife, is lel't about the thickness and length of the mane. Horses,

more })articularly galloways and ponies, are sometimes hogged, or

their manes cut so as to stand erect like the bristles of the hog. The

hair of the tail is cut short and even. The broom tail of die Racer, is

now

1(51

now someAvhat longer than that of the common saddle horse, and the
hair cut off square at the end.

Military and draught Horses wear their full mane and tail flowing,
and Avith the capital sorts of the latter, and indeed with cart-horses
generally, it is the practice to leave the hair upon the legs and heels,
I readily agree to the uniformity in appearance of this, with the full
mane and tail, and that the full and whole suit of hair sets off the
majestic first-rate cart-horse, who beside, has, or ought to have,
a thorough attention paid to the cleanliness of his legs; but being an
old carter, I cannot help scouting the idea of theorists, that the
hair upon a Horse's legs preserves them from dirt, which it indubitably
encourages and harbours, and the difficulty of dislodging it from
beneath the mass of hair, is one great cause of the grease. The legs
of all ordinary cart and road waggon Horses, should be kept close-trim-
med like those of coach-horses.

I have observed, that the hair under the chin and nithin ihe ears, is sijig-
ed off with a lighted candle. It is a villainous and totally useless prac-
tice, and no proprietor of a Horse of the considerate and feeling class,
will ever permit it, more particularly with respect to the ears. The
hair may remain within the ears, being clipped even and somewhat
below the level of the margins, without the smallest breach of
symmetry, or offence to the sight. This hair is intended by nature,
as a defence to the internal organs of hearing, against cold and wet,
and the intrusion of insects, dust, or any particles of matter which may
be afloat in the air. Farther, there can be no doubt, that the Horse,
accustomed as he is with us, to warm stables, and so liable to catch
accidental colds, must often be very disagreeably affected, by having
that delicate organ the internal ear suddenly exposed ; and it is a fair
supposition, that the list lessness and stupidity which we observe in some,
may arise from deafness induced by the silly practice now under re-
probation. There is yet another strong objection to the practice:
many Horses have such a peculiar dread of the lighted candle near
their ears, that they can never be brought to endure it, without the
most severe twitching and barbarous treatment, and even for weeks
after the operation, are extremely dangerous to handle; and should

Y they

162

they unfortunately, for any length of time, be under the care of a
silly fellow, they remain shy about the head, to the end of their
lives. Lately a friend of mine purchased a Horse, with his ears re-
cently trimmed. The groom had remarked that he was very shy. On
approaching him afterwards in the stall, in order to lay hold of his
head, the Horse reared and threw himself back with such force, as to
incur no small risk of breaking his neck, and the groom very narrowly
escaped mischief. I gave a strong caution to the young man, by no
means, to correct this Horse, but to treat him in the most tender and
soothing way, taking every opportunity to stroak his head and ears;
and this mild treatment had the full success. There are however,
hardy and rough-coated Horses, which have no fear of the lighted
candle under their jaws; but it should not be applied, even in that part,
to the fine-skinned, nor to the ears of any Horse, on whatever pretence.
The Horse in a state of nature, or at large in his pasture, is preserved
in full health and vigour, and in the perfect use of his limbs, by the pure
air which he freely and constantly inhales, and the gentle exercise
in search of his food, by which his muscular functions are kept in use,
and a moderate and equable circulation of his bodily fluids promoted.
It is the business of real, permit me to use the term, scientific groom-
ing, to follow nature's steps as closel}^ as possible in the stable, where
the subtitute of that indispensible bodily motion by which the Horse's
health is preserved abroad, must consist in the friction of regular dres-
sings, and in the exercise of regular airings. Every particle of dirt, scurf
or excrementitious matter, must be removed from the hide of the
Horse by the curry-comb, and from his coat by the brush. Not only
his back and sides must be the objects of this minute attention, but the
parts less in sight must have an equal share, and most especially, the
legs, by which only, they can be preserved free from that well known
consequence of half grooming, the Grease. The legs indeed, as high
as the knees, are always washed, with cold or warm water, as the season
or occasion may require, and ought to be wiped perfectly dry, with
linen cloths.

. The hoofs of Horses which stand much in the stable, should be dail)^
or several times a day if necessary, washed and well suppled in water,

the

1(33

the feet being picked clean and free from dirt and stones, between the
shoe and foot. The old custom of constantly oiling and stopjiing the
hoofs of Horses, a practice which contributed to harden, heat and
founder them, has been long discontinued in our regular stables.
Water, cold or Avarm, has been found the most salutary application.

The DRESSING of a Horse consists in currying him all over, from the
roots of the ears to his knees and hocks; in brushing, wisping, rubbing
with cloths and laying his coat perfectly smooth. The perfection of this
joined with fidl keep, is necessary to the beauty, high and generous
spirit, action, and durability of the thorough-conditioned Horse. There
is a caution with respect to dressing, extremely necessary, and which
ought to attract the eye of the master. It is, that the curry comb be
not so sharp, as to become an instrument of torture, instead of the
promoter of pleasing sensations to the Horse. This chiefly concerns
delicate and thin-skiimed Horses, which are often thus injured in
a double way, being first Avounded by the sharp teeth of the comb and
afterwards corrected and ill used in various ways, by the thick-headed
groom, who wisely determines that every Horse ought to receive his
dressing quietly.

Feeding. The English saddle Horse is fed within doors, upon hay,
white or black oats, beans or pease. His stable soiling in the spring,
green tares, or lucerne, generally. Draught and common labouring
Horses have chaff, or the husks of corn, or chaff from hay or straw
cut by an engine ; bran or pollard mixed with their corn, which is
sometimes beans instead of oats, or a mixture of both. Their hay is
of the more substantial and filling kind, of clover, in some counties
of sainfoin. Grains from the brewhouse also, makes a considerable
part of the food of ordinary cart-horses. In the carrot counties, par-
ticularly Suffolk and Norfolk, farm Horses are much fed upon that
root, either as an auxiliary, or entirely without corn. In some coun-
ties, chiefly I believe to the eastward, oat straw is preferred as fodder
for cart-horses, to the westward, they give the preference to barley
straw.

Upon the continent more particularly to the southward, barley is the
general horse-corn, as oats with us, and having no haj^ they use stravA',

y2 " but

164

but the straw of warm climates is more nutritious than ours. 1 have
not found barley to disagree with Horses, but it is not so nutritious and
strengthening as oats, the black species of which, is said to be equal,
if not superior in quality to the white, an opinion, I believe, not
grounded on any correct experiment. Oats should be perfectly sweet,
short, i)lump, and free of husk as possible, and I have reason to judge
that generally, the best are cheapest. New oats disagree with Horses
by loosing their bellies too much, and if used before Christmas, should
be previously dried upon a kiln, or in an oven. The hard, upland and
benty hay is always preferred for saddle-horses, the quick and continued
exertions of which require dry and substantial food, imparting a firm
and astrictive tone to their bowels.

Relative to feeding the saddle-Horse, there has always subsisted a
question, but like many others, a moment's consideration is sufficient
to set it at rest. It has been demanded, why keep your Horse at full
feeding of corn, if you seldom use him ? — he may and ought to be fed
according to his work. Most truly, there is practicability, and I suppose
economy, for I never wish to prove it, in this as well as other make-
shifts. The Horse will certainly subsist on hay alone, so that a small
daily portion of corn maybe allowed, a half or even a quarter of a peck
and his remaining cravings and vacuums be iilled up with hay. And
this may do very well for him, who is insensible to, and craves not, the
luxury of riding his horse in high condition, in the full possession of
his vigour, his gaiety and his powers. These half kept Horses must
be put to no extraordinary exertions, of which they are altogether
incapable, without the risk of considerable, perhaps irreparable inj ury.

To keep a Horse in high condition, that both in appearance and
courage he may exhibit himself to the best advantage, and be able to
act up to his highest qualification, of whatever degree in the scale of
excellence, that may chance to be, it is before all things else necessary,
that he have as large a daily allowance of solid corn as his stomach
will reduce to a healthy digestion. The next requisites, are thorough
grooming and sufficient daily exercise. A¥ here labour is not constant,
exercise is indispensable, or the morbid effects of over repletion and
nutrition must assuredly succeed, as a legitimate consequence of cause

and

165

and effect. Purges vulgarly called physic, form another requisite
generally indispensable, where condition is required, and the animal
expected to be kept from the causes of disease. Purging to the high-
fed Horse, is both specific and prophylactic, and they who talk and
write against the necessity of physic for Horses, or men living in a
state of luxury, must close their eyes upon myriads of everlastingly
recurring facts.

A peck of corn per day, is necessary to keep a hackney in good
condition for work, and some may require five or six quarterns. The
single feed is one quartern or half a peck, according to circumstances.
To the Horse which parts easily with his excrement, a handful of the
small, fair horse beans, or double that quantity of white pease, should
be allowed in a quartern feed. Which, or a small quantity of the
chaff of hay, is also useful to such as are apt to swallow their corn
insufficiently chewed ; for in truth, notwithstanding all which has been
said in favour of the practice, it still remains a doubt with practical
observers, whether broken or ground corn, is not more liable to be
swallowed without mastication by the Horse, than tliat which is whole.
I have tried ground corn for years together, and my opinion remains
in favour of that which is whole, excepting with young and tender, or
old and decayed mouths. Cart-horses are sometimes fed entirely with
beans, which are doubtless a strong and heartening food, but apt to
surfeit and produce the grease and scratches, the common method
therefore, of allowing bran with the beans, is judicious.

The green food dispensed to Horses in the stable, should be fresh,
or it will produce wind and gripes. When Horses are fed entirely upon
green meat, their condition should be attended to, and if they appear
griped or pursive, or scour, it will be necessary to allow a part dry
fodder or corn. Tares or vetches are very succulent, and supposed to
fill Horses with blood ; tare hay or haulm will often occasion gripes, and
is said to absorb much moisture in damp weather. Carrots are given
with much benefit, four or five weeks in a season, to high-fed hacks,
hunters and coach-horses, or to racers whilst out of training. They
are both nourishing and cleansing, promoting the secretions, and giving
a beautiful gloss to the coat. A feed of carrots, half a peck to a peck,,

washed

166

Mashed and cut, may stand advantageously as the substitute for a feed,
of corn. Pease or oats in the straw, cut fresh from the stack, as hay,
are excellent food and highly nutritious.

Draught Horses require to be filled with considerable quantities of
hay, and to have their racks well replenished at night, being the time
of their leisure for feeding; but the case is otherwise with saddle-horses, .
which are rendered pursive and unfit for action, bj'^ being gorged with,
hay, more especially Avhilst at leisure and confined to the stable, when
this article should be dispensed to them, with a light hand and in small
quantities well shook; nor should they ever be suffered to stand to the
full rack, eating merely to pass away the time, it being far more bene-
ficial, at least less injurious to them, to be nibbling their litter, of the
fanciful ill-consequences of which, some of the grooms have such a
customary dread. I shall make a single remark on the miserable,
harsh and sapless garbage on which farm Horses, in some places, are
stuffed and blown out. Where from poverty this cannot be avoided, it
is but necessary evil, otherwise it is pure deception in the guise of
economy; for exclusive of the insalubrity of such food, and its tendenc5^
to produce obstruction, broken wind, grease fi^om poverty of the blood,
blindness and a train of kindred maladies, the cattle soon decline to
half their proper strength and utility, and hasten to a premature old
age. I knoAv not how much the rubbish here alluded to, may be im-
proved by boiling and continental cooker}^ but I am convinced, that
no method of dressing can impart to sapless haulm, that power of
nutrition which nature has denied it.

A preposterous notion had, some how or other, crept into the heads of
the old grooms, that water was a kind of necessary evil to the Horse
and they plumed themselves upon allowing him as little as possible.
Indeed all cattle living abroad, upon green and succulent food, can
very well dispense with any great quantity of water, but to Horses
kept in the stable, upon dry and husky food, a regular and ample supply
of soft water, is particularly necessary, for the purpose of dilution,
the Avant of which has doubtless often contributed to obstruction, form-
ing the sloAvly operating and unsuspected cause of those cholics which
5=^3 often prove fatal. The Horse should be regularly Avatered twice a

day.

167

day, and if he be very greedy of drink, three times is preferable, stint-
ing him to a moderate allowance. Broken-winded horses should be no
otherwise stinted of water, than of the quantity to be taken at a time,
and one reason of their usual inordinate craving of drink is, that they
are generally denied it, whence they are so prone to excess, when left
at liberty. The old custom of exercising Horses immediately after they
have drank, ought not to be carried to excess, which must be both
painful and injurious. I prefer brisk walking in the case, or hard
wisping the body in the stable.

Exercise is both the mean of preserving the body of the Horse in a
sound and healthy state, and of preparing it for laborious exertions,
which being suddenly enforced, must have a dangerous effect upon the
humours of an animal body unprepared, and that has been long at
rest. It is intended in this place, to speak chiefly of exercise and airing-
as conducive, or rather indispensable to health. Horses high fed, very
seldom worked, or exercised, and spending the far greater part of their
time in the narrow compass of a stall, their heads bound to the man-
ger, are much in the same predicament, and visited by somewhat
analogous disorders, with men leading sedentary lives and living in a
state of luxury. Gentlemen's Horses like these, should be taken out
if possible, twice a da}^ during the long days, whilst the weather is
fine over head, and once a day in the winter season, an hour each time.
Nor ought the lazy excuses of grooms to be admitted, of dirt under
feet, where they have ample time, and no tea-kettle duties to perform.
Influenzal, cold-catching weather, Avith piercing winds, however, form a-
most legitimate excuse for keeping a Horse within doors, when the
loose stall or stable, is an excellent substitute for out door exercise,
and setting the Horse to exercise himself upon the bit, between the
pillars. When taken out, rising ground and change of air are to be
preferred, and the pace should generally be moderate, and if confined
to the walk, will be fully sufficient. Indeed airings afford the best
opportunity of training a hackney to a fast walk, to excel in which pace
is generally esteemed a very pleasing and useful qualification.

The livery stables of London, generally afford very convenient rides

fov

168

for exercise, which is not the case with private stables: And from these
last, we constantly see Horses sent out to exercise upon the stones,
better certainly than to keep them six days, perhaps, out of seven, close
confined in the dense and suffocating air of the stable. But exercise
upon such ground, should be invariably and rigidly confined to the
walk; instead of which we often see the heavy-sided and stupid fellows
of ignorant or careless masters, rattling their Horses, full trot, over the
hard pavement, by way of exercise! — and what is still more unfeeling
and absurd, even aged hacknies with their sore and wind-galled legs and
battered feet. All that even does not come up to the beastly insanity,
of treating in such a way, the miserable, tortured and worn down post-
hack or machiner, whose piteous wincing discovers at every step, the
excruciating pain he endures, from the rude shocks of such exercise.
Boys are generally employed to harrass these victims up and down,
who, thoughtless and hardened as their seniors, employ abuse and blows,
in proportion to pain and inability. No one can be more convinced
than myself, of the necessity of exercise, for palsied objects like these,
but surely it ought to be of the gentle and compassionate kind; if in-
tended to produce benefit, it should never exceed the walk, and even
that, as much as possible, at the animal's ease; the ground where there
is a choice, should be the softe-t, and the Horse should invariably be
led, since the intent is, or ought to be, to recruit not to load the already
fatigued and exhausted powers. How oflen are we disgusted at the
sight, of a heavy blacksmith mounted upon the back of a lame Horse,
and trotting him homewards? Wherever convenience will admit, all
lame or hurt Horses should exercise themselves, their loins, breast and
heart well clothed, upon dry soft and sheltered ground, or close within

doors.

For common road work, walking exercise is very sufficient, and if
it be judiciously and perseveringly used by the groom, the Horse being
urged to his speediest walk, without shifting or mixing it with his trot,
he may be so brought into good condition and aptitude for considerable
exertions, But for the severer services of racing, whether galloping or
trotting, or of hunting, a regular training is required, to accustom
the Horse by a gradual increase of his s}»eed in exercise, afterwards to be

able

16*9

able to endure, for a continuance, its higher degrees, A purge or two,
are also always useful, if not absolutely necessary, to lighten and cool
the body of the Horse, and to enable liim to encounter severer exercise
than usual, with greater ease and comfort, and less danger to his health
than otherwise could result.

Those who hunt occasionally, and have not the convenience for
training their hunters, usually send them to the regular training stables;
for example, at Barrow Hedges, Sutton and Epsom in Surry. The
routine of training the hunter is as follows. Being taken to the stable,
he is trimmed and clothed and put into walking exercise. After the
interval of two or three weeks, or perhaps sooner, his first dose of
physic may be given. The remaining doses, \^ hether one or two, to
have a week's interval, at least, between them. His gallops may now
commence on the best turf afforded by the neighbourhood, twice a
day, early in the morning and in the afternoon, the heat of the day-
being spent. Should any particular cause forbid so much exercise,
walking may be sufficient in the afternoon course. The proper degree
of speed is a long, steady and rating canter, the groom preserving a
jocky seat ; the distance more than a mile, after which the Horse may
be walked to water ; thence walked until ready to repeat the canter,
after which walked to stable; the Avhole time taken for the morning-
exercise and airing, making about two hours. Bad weather, lateness
of the season or other reasons, may render it necessary to omit the
afternoon exercise. The hunter does not wear his hood in training,
nor any other, than the degree of clothing in common use.

HL^TERS are not sweated like Race- horses, which would reduce them
too low, and render them too susceptible of cold, for the business in
which they are to be engaged, im olving the necessity of their being-
exposed to all the vicissitudes of the winter season. But the moderate
exertions above directed, Avithout irritation or fatigue, will clear and
improve the wind, invigorate the tone of the muscular fibres and con-
solidate the flesh of the hunter; after which, although by no means
absolutely necessary, he may have a few sharp and brushing gal-
lops.

Z The

170

The labour of the regular hunter, is sufficiently severe in the course-
of the season, to entitle him to rest during the remainder of the year;
in -which his time should be divided between the loose stable and the
pasture, where at his ease, he may recover from the fatigue, and bruises,
and strains, he may have undergone, in coursing, heavy-weighted, the
deep country, over hill and dale, impeded by neither hedge, ditch nor
fence. Suchliberal justice will enable him to face the same labours every
season, and for many seasons even to old age, with renewed courage
and steadiness, and relish for the sport and yearly improved faculties.
If the steadiness and safety, and skill in their business, of aged and
seasoned hunters and hackneys, are insufficient inducements for pro-
prietors to treat them justly and fairly, in order that soundness may, if
possible, accompany their latter services, we may add the extraordi-
nary prices of tlie present time, when a capital hunter, master of high
weights, may probably fetch at the hammer, from five to seven hun-
dred guineas.

The youngest whipster of the honourable society of Nimrod, scarcely
need be reminded, that no Horse can be equal to the trying labours of
the field, until arrived at his ftdl strength and tone of muscle and fibre.
A moment's consideration on the inability of green and unsettled joints
standing unhurt, the drags and pulls of adeep soil, and the sudden shocks
of a high leap, will be decisive. If a five-years old be hunted, it should
be with a moderate weight, over a light country, rather by way of in-
struction and training, and with lessons not too frequently repeated.

Leaping is a natural action of the Horse, but not that premeditated,
species styled the standing leap, Avhich every Horse must acquire, either
by lesson, or practice, in the field. A Horse thus acquires the facultj^ of
measuring with his eye, the bar or obstacle to his progress, before which
he stands, and with a spring to surmount it, clearing likewise any cavity
or unsafe ground on either side. This is performed by elevating his
fore quarters to the given altitude, launching forward, and as the finish-
ing stroke, drawing up his hinder feet nearly to the level of his flanks,
in order to escape hanging behind, or striking his legs against the top
of the object to be surmounted. Almost any Horse will take flying

leaps

1?1

leaps after the hounds, but few, uninstructed, can be safely trusted, to
cany a man over a standing leap of any considerable height. This of
course, ought to be an object of careful instruction, for security sake,
and on account of the great additional worth at market, of a staunch
and high standing leaper.

The Irish are the highest and steadiest leapers in the world, and I
think it was Captain Raymond of Devonshire, who informed me that,
in Ireland, they begin to teach this accomplishment to their colts, whilst
they suck, occasionally interposing a bar bound with furze, between
the foal and its dam, the former readily attempting a small height, in
order to get at the teat, and improving in his leaps, as the bar becomes
gradually heightened. Mere, we practise our four or five year olds,
at the bar, \vell covered with furze, beginning with about a breast
height. A person should always stand behind with a Avhip, whilst the
Horse is led over the bar, and touch him gently whilst his hinder
quarters are in action, to encourage him to clear them. Patience,
coolness, short lessons which do not fatigue and irritate, and moderate
heights, are the true method of forming capital standing leapers. The
school is not the place to attempt very great heights.

It has already been shewn, that our hunters are of all degrees of
blood, from the thorough-bred runner, down almost to the cart-horse.
It depends on the nature of the country for which they are chosen,
and still more on accident. A few Avords on the choice. If a man
desire to make a figure in a capital hunt, where bred cattle are in use,
he must provide a thorough-bred hunter, whatever weight he may ride,
for bred Horses will always M'in at carrying high weights withspeed,and
unless he equal them in blood, he will only, after the first burst, have
the pleasure of viewing his associates at a respectful d.'stance. But
much skill is required in the choice of a full-bred hunter. First he
must be equal to the weight, neither leggy, nor long-waisted, nor slight
boned, nor have crooked pastern joints, nor small and tender feet. If he
be from training, he should be well set upon his haunches, previously to
being used as a hunter. In general, a hunter should have a good loin and
spreading haunches, strong and well knit joints, should go clear of his

z 2 legs.

172

legs, have a lofty forehand, a good mouth, a striding gallop, and reach
at least, the height of fifteen hands.

Having introduced the hunter, let us place beside him the TROITING
HACKNEY, which is also a sporting character of the Horse. A trotter
now, does not merely indicate as formerly, a Horse, the customary and
best pace of which is the trot, but one which has sufficient speed in that
pace, to race. Southern blood is not indispensable here, the trot being
a northern pace; but our stoutest or most lasting trotters are those which
have a certain portion of racing blood.

Extent in the shoulders, and those considerably declining into the
waist, form the grand, indeed indispensable requisite, for fast trotting.
Nor did I ever, ia my life, see or hear of a trotter, with a narrow and
upright shoulder. This species should also have sufficient length of
waist, with broad loins and well-spread quarters, throwing the hinder
legs wide apart ; much bone under the knee, firm and straight joints,
and toudi feet. Trotters should not be wide or marble-breasted, and
in action their fore feet must approach sufficiently near, without touch-
ing the legs.

The Russian, Holstein, and other continental trotters, have been ad-
verted to. Our own trotting annals do not extend very remotely, but
tradition informs us, that old Shields, sire of Scott, the first trotting stal-
lion of eminence, of which we have any account, and which covered in
Lincolnshire, half a century since, was got by Blank, out of a strong
common-bred mare. Hue-and-Cry was got by Scott, and the best
trotters which have appeared, and which are now to be found in Lin-
colnshire, Norfolk, and that vicinity, have proceeded from Old Shields.
That Horsa was succeeded in a few years by another, the property of
Jenkinson, called Useful Cub, he was got by a black cart horse, resem-
bling, as Jenkinson informed me, the Suffolk breed, out of a chapman's
mare. Much of the stock above-mentioned has been bred from this
Horse. They were distinguished, in the first produce, by the round
buttock and wide bosom of tlieir cart-bred sire, and as I observed in
many of them, speed was predominent ; but the stock was soon improved
by crossing with racing blood. Pretender, a son of Cub, was out of a
well-bred daughter of Lord Abingdon's Pretender, by Marske. Preten-
der,

173

der, by Cub, I was informed, without being compelled to believe the
fact, trotted a mile in two minutes and a half. He was a successful
stallion, and exclusive of the consideration of fast trotting-, the Fen
country has, from the above sources, produced the most active,
strongest and best-shaped road stock, to be found in this kingdom.

Of the capital trotters I have spoken somewhat at large, in another
work to which I refer the curious. It will be sufficient here, to report
some of their greatest performances. Shuffler and Monkey I barely re-
member; the former Avas not remarkable for very great speed, but so
steady a trotter, that it was almost impracticable to whip him out of his
trot. He was the property of the well-known Shock Sam, of Moor-
fields, and was finished in the post-cliaise work, at Ingatestone.

About the year 1780 Aldridge's brown mare (afterwards Bishop's)
trotted sixteen miles in fifty-eight minutes and a half, eight miles out,
and eight home, over the road between London and Epsom, carrying
twelve stone, and jockied by Mr. Aldridge, the present proprietor of the
Repository, in St. Martin's-Iane. This performance I witnessed, and in
fact accompanied, and it was the first authentic proof, of that distance
having ever been trotted within an hour, with twelve stone. In 1791,
the same mare, being then eighteen years old, repeated the performance
upon the Romford road. In 17!:)2, a five-years-old son of Pretender,
trotted in Lincolnshire, sixteen miles in fift3^-nine minutes, carrying
fifteen stone. This I give on newspaper report. The loclvsmith's grey
mare, which I knew, trotted seventN^-two miles in six hours. Archer,
so named from Archer, the sheep-salesman, who brought him to
London, out of Norfolk, trotted, about the year 178.5, sixteen miles
in fifty-four minutes and a halt" ridden by Johnson, upwards of eleven
stone.

Archer, perhaps the most capital trotter which has ever ajipeared in
England, was killed by this match, the ground being so hard \\ith frost,
that the excessive shaking, induced lever and inflammation in the
horse's feet. On this match it was, that I first proposed setting up a
light weight, by the adoption of which, since, such great things have
been done in tlje trotting way ; but my very earnest message to one of
the parties concerned, was either not delivered, or disregarded. From

Avhat

174

what 1 knew of the speed and resolution of this Horse, and judging
from his performance with nearly twelve stone, and from what has
been since done with lightweights, 1 feel convinced that he would, with
seven stone, have trotted over a good road, twenty miles in one hour.
Ogden's chesnut mare trotted thirty miles in two hours and ten minutes,
carryino-ten stone. These two famous trotters were at one time the
property of Captain Martineau and his father, and the Captain informed
me, that for a start, the mare had the speed of Archer.

Nothing has occurred very lately, in the trotting way, much worthy of
notice, excepting the performances of the brown mare Phenomena, the
second trotter, I believe, which has been tried with jockey weights. In
July, IBOO, she trotted between Huntingdon and Cambridge, seven-
teen miles in fifty-six minutes, carrying a feather. She afterwards
trotted the same distance in less than fifty-three minutes, ridden by the
same boy. She was matched to trot nineteen miles in one hour, and
received a hundred guineas forfeit; after which, her owner challenged
to perform with her nineteen and a half, but it was not accepted. She
has lately beaten the best trotter which could be brought against her, and
is, I suppose, full twenty years old. She was bred in Surrey, and is
half Friezeland, or Flanders.

It is a remarkable fact, that there has existed no instance of a tho-
rough-bred Horse being a capital trotter, although some racers have had
a quick and short trot ; for example. Shark, Hammer by Herod, and, I
believe, Mambrino. Perhaps no bred Horse has ever trotted more than
fourteen miles within the hour, excepting Infidel by Turk, which, after he
was out of training, about live-and-twenty years since, trotted fifteen
miles in one hour, carrying ten stone, on the road between Carlisle and
Newcastle. A similar match with a Race-horse, Mas talked of in the
North last year. The reason of their inability is, trotting requires a short
and quick step, with the knee considerably bent, and these horses out-
stride the trot, and straighten the knee joint; besides, they soon become
leo-wearv, and their legs and feet are too delicate for the rude ham-
mcring of the speedy trot. There is a variety called running trotters,
which step short, but do not bend the knees so much as the fair trotters,
iand have a rolling motion, like the rackmg of former days ; speed is

generally

1?5

generally the best of these. Horses which lunge out with the straight
knee, or jump and bound like deer, whatever may be their speed for a
few hundred yards, can never be mad,e trotters.

This pace depending on the extent and form of the shoulder, a nag of
promise may be selected in his youth, and capital trotters may, and are,
bred from trotting stallions and mares, as in the districts already stated.
To those who aim at having trotters in the highest perfection, it is a
great object to ehuse them young, and before they are battered to
pieces, and rendered unsafe, their common fate, before they arrive at the
full age. By their form of going they ought to be the safest of all
Horses, whilst unhurt in their limbs. Whether, for a single mile or two,
or for an hour, capital trotters have ever been scarce, and have always
commanded a high price; for example, suppose a mare or gelding, at
this day, six years old, unblemished, sound, and equal to fifteen stone,
to be worth, at market, eighty pounds, warrant it to trot sixteen miles in
one hour, and it would, with still more readiness, command one hundred
and sixt3^

A nag Avill begin to shew something of his trot at four years old, and if
he can, at that age, trot handsomely, and with his knees well bent, a mile
in four minutes, he maj' improve and become a capital trotter, for dis-
tance, granting that he neverattain the rapidity of the mile horse, which
is, indeed, nature's gift, and never to be acquired by training. In traiur
ing a young trotter, allow him a year or two. In his exercise, seldom
orneverurge him to the top of his speed; accustom him to pull well and.
steadily at you, never suffering him to hitch, lead with one leg, or to
fall into a shuffling and confused run, between trot and gallop. Ever,
oblige him to finish his trot in a walk, but if by chance he fly into a
canter or gallop, accustom him to turn round instanth', according to the
established rule of the trotting race. The common double-reined curb
bridle, with a fair and moderate bit, is the most proper for a trotter, the
rider favouring or checking his Hoi'se's mouth, with the snaffle or curb,
as he shall feel occasion.

The labour being so racking and severe to the joints and the feet, no
Horse can be equal to an hour's trotting, until arrived at his full strength,
at the earliest, six years old. And here is a vast advantage over tha

galloper.

176

galloper, since a Horse kept expressly for trotting races, maybe yet used
moderately, as a hackney, until he shall be fitted, both from age and
training, for the intended purpose. Alas! I am giving counsel, which
I could never put in practice; for the various trotters which have come
mto my hands, have been previously so shaken and battered, that their
sound warrants were truly questionable things ; but I will engage, that
whoever shall strictly abide by the directions above given, shall obtain
a real phenomenon for the road, and most probably earn the honour of
being the first trotting-jockey, who has ever taken so rational a course.

A hackney which can trot a single mile in three minutes, with any
weight, will always rank with the speediest trotters. To be able to trot
sixteen miles in one hour, he ought to have speed sufficient to trot a mile
in less than three minutes and a quarter. The nag being full of meat,
and in work, from a fortnight to a month's training, \\\\\ siifTice for a
trotting race of any length; and this training, to be useful, and to pre-
serve the edge of the Horse's speed, should never be given in that severe
and rattling way, M hi h is usual with our Smithfield jockies. I have
seen a hackney from the hands of these gentle and merciful trainers,
brought to the starting-post, as stifland shaken, as if just unliarnessed
from post-work. Let the softest dry ground be chosen for exercise; for
rely upon it, the less shaking your Horse has had upon that which is
hard, the better he will be able to endure it, when the necessity comes.
From two to four miles trotting, with a light weight, in the morning,
going along briskly towards the end, but by no means, at the top of the
Horse's speed, with walking exercise in the aiternoon, will be fully
sufficient to elicit the utmost speed 'and stoutness of your trotter, within
the given time. If a trial be desired, it ought to be as long as possible
before the race, consistently with the condition of the Horse. AVeight
now afl'ords a ca|;ital \ju\\ in trotting matehes, since few persons will yet
deviate so much from ancient custom, as to fix it. Tliis species of racing
should not be practised in winter, when the roads are deep or frozen ;
the early part of the morning is always the most proper time, the road
being then free from impediments.

A few words will be necessary on the subject of noRSF.-FLENiTURE. The
bits and stirrups in present use, having a good polish, will, be easily kept

bright

177

bright and in order, by clean rubbing, and being always left dry, without
that quantity of oil, formerly so much in stable use. The pads of the
saddle being wetted by the sweat of the Horse, on a journey, should be
well dried in the sun, or by the fire, and not again put upon his back, in
a damp and hardened state. Mcst scrupulous care should also be taken,
todryand air the body-clothes, whether they may have been soaked with
sweat or rain, or damps; and not, as is too often done, gird them around
the body of the Horse, sick or well, in the same state they may chance
to be picked up, whether wet or dr3\ There is no doubt, but many
Horses, particularly those inline condition, are thus constantly injured.
Horse-clothes also, ought to be washed much oftener than they gene-
rally are. There is a blackening composition, containing a small quan-
tit}'^ of oil, for the preservation of harness, which is much superior to the
oil formerly used by itself.

Soiling in the stables has been spoken of, but there is something far-
ther required, to render the legs and feet of the Horse as lasting as pos-
sible, and to cure those injuries from labour, which it is mere deception
and folly to attempt effectually to remedy within doors. I mean sum-
mer or winter runs abroad. The first should be whilst the grass is
young, and before the fly season, which, in many places, will allow the
horse little rest by day, and if he be lame, harrass him about very inju-
riously. Well-shaded pastures are then necessary. 1 he Horse should
not be turned oti" without shoes, because if the ground be hard, he will,
in frolicking about, break his hoofs; nor with his ordinary shoes, but
with a narrow plate around the crust of the foot, resembling that of
the Race-horse. The salt-marshes are proper to fatten a Horse in reduced
condition, and to cure various complaints.

The winter's run abroad is also most salubrious for the Horse, and the

best mean of recovering the tone of relaxed and debilitated sinews, and

of curing lamenesses in the legs and feet. But several very important

considerations attach to this plan, tor want of a due attention to wh cb,

it is so often unsuccessiul. Tlie Horses must be well kep% and well

sheltvi^red throughout the winter; or insiead of benefit, they will receive

very gi'eat injury.

Keej)ing Horses at straw-yard, is too often but a civil term for starving

•2. A them ;

178

them ; and they come up in the sprnig perfect scare-crows, so rough
and lean, that the following summer's run will scarcely recover their
Goiidition. Nor is this all ; aged Horses, far gone in wear and tear,
are rendered totally useless by such wintering; and whatever may
be the particular cause, chronic lameness frequently becomes worse
abroad, although turning off be the best and most certain (Mjre, for that
which is curable. Finally, good -wintering consists in a sufficient al-
lowance of good hay, with the straw, and if a small daily feed of corn
were allowed, 1 know not that it would leave a penny minus in the
owner's pocket, since he would find it in the improved condition of liis
Horse, which would return to stable fit for immediate work. A
range of dry land, straw-yards, and sheds, complete the winter quarters
of the Horse; and it is surely a most convenient plan, for those who
seldom ride in that season, to turn a Horse oftj where, if kept in the
best style here mentioned, he will cost far less than in the stable, beside
the great object of his health, and probable addition of some years
to his services. Carrots and straw certainly make good straw-yard
provender, and even the addition of turnips, with their succulence,
make amends for the dryness of the straw. Occasional inspection
should be made, of the treatment and condition of Horses whilst at
straw-yard.

In the PURCHASE of a Florse, the appearance of which may be suit-
able, the first object is his soundness ; the next, whether he will perform
his duty quietly ; and farther, his age, whether old eno\]gh for labour,
or in what degree he may be affected by that which he has already
done.

By custom. Horses are either warranted sound, or sold with all de-
fects, uuAvarranted. It was formerly the opinion of some, that a sound
price, namely, upwards often pounds, was in itself a sufficient warrant
of soundness ; but that position, never general!}^ received, had lost
ground, and seems to be totally discountenanced by a late decision in
Norfolk, when the judge ridiculed such a notion, and decided in favour
of the old principle and practice of warrant}'.

The sound w-arrant, w hether in writing, joined with the receipt for
the [)rice, far the safest mode, or given orally before a witness, may be

simple.

179

simple, as merely vouching the Horse to be sound ; or it may extend to
sound, barring this or that delect; lor example, the loss of an eye: or to
sound and free from vice or blemish, and quiet to ride or draw. I for-
merly defined the term Soundness to imply, ' not diseased, lame, blind,
or broken-winded; nor having, at the time of sale, any impending cause
thereof.' By custom, three days trial are allowed to the purchaser,
within which period, the Horse, if unsound, ought to be returned; but
in case of latent defect, and proof of its existence, at the time of the
sale, a much longer time does not bar the return of the Horse; on the
other hand, if the seller can prove the soundness, it is |iresumed the
Horse has been damaged whilst in the custody of the purchaser, who
must, in that case, keep his bargain. Success in causes of this nature,
depends much on strength of evidence, and the opposite /ocYs which
have been sworn in court, seem to countenance the idea, that at present,
as well as in the religious days of Charles,

" Witnesses like watches go.

Just as they're set, too fast or slow.

Some of the various causes of impending unsoundness, are as .follow:'
rottenness, the symptoms of which, staring of the hair, binding of the
hide, and leanness, may be mistaken for mere want of keep and con-
dition. But in case of real and irreparable decay, the hair at the root
is in the same state, and will come off with a slight pull ; the breath also
from the mouth and nose, has often a faint, cadaverous smell, and the
eyes have a dull and morbid appearance. Such symptoms are likewise
indicative of glanders, the more obvious appearances of which are kernels
under the jaws, and discharge at the nostrils.

Incipient blindness, from an opacity or cloudiness in one or both
eyes, generally of a blue colour. The Horse's sight will intermit, he
sometimes seeing well, at others, imperfectly, until he lose an eye, or
both. It is very usual for a Horse to be purchased in this state, as
sound ; and formerly, it occurred to myself more than once. In one
instance i kept the Horse several weeks, and then returned him to the
dealer, on whose warrant I had purchased him ; the man being con-
vinced that the eyes were delective at the time of sale, refunded the

2 A 2 purchase-

180

purchase-money without scruple, and resumed the Horse. Many very
absurd and stupid Htigations on the subject of Horses, and indeed, on
all others, mi"ht be avoided, if the opposite parties Avould first resolve to
do justice when discovered, and then meet, with their respective friends,
in order to the discovery. Ultimately, when they find themselves unable
to detect ri'^ht, ifthey would, both here and at Dublin, sky a copper for
it, music or skulls, instead of tossing up the more gambling and dan-
gerous cross and pile of the law. My legal readers will pardon me,
when I declare, that in my opinion, the blame attaches not to them, but
to their clients.

A growing splent, or spavin, may lurk undetected, at the time of
sale, more especially if the Horse have been kept at rest. Work may
induce lameness, in a few days or weeks; but if the excrescence be very
young, its unsound effect is more frequently jirotracted too long, for
anv prospect of remedy against a former proprietor. A splent is a
bony excrescence on the shank of the Horse's fore leg, and not of any
ill consequence, unless by its position it interfere Avith the knee, or
pastern joint, or the tendon. The spavin is a similar excrescence upon
the hinder leg, beneath the hock, but of far worse consequence than, the
splent, the former being never harmless, and generally incurable. A
false quarter, which is a loss of substance in the hoof, a vertical
line or seam appearing therein, may well belong to the unsound class.
A Horse with this defect, may be sold in a very gay, and apparently
sound state, yet may turn out far otherwise, when put to labour.

The practical distinction between blemish and unsoundness is per-
fectly just, and according with convenience: a Horse may be ble-
mished, yet otherwise perfectly capable of his labour. Blemishes,
therefore, do not impede a sound warrant, nor need they be specifically
barred or adverted to. Blemishes consist of broken knees, loss of hair
in the cutting places, or excrescences of any kind, not occasioning
lameness. Neither windgalls nor bog-spavins, puffy swellings within
the bending of the hock behind, prevent the warranty of a Horse,
provided his action be sound. It is the same with cracks in the legs
and heeis.

The warranty of quiet and free from vice, implies, that the Horse

is

181

is neither restiff, nor a notorious run-away, kicker, or biter, and that he
will obediently permit himself to be mounted, managed, and governed,,
in the usual way.

On the purchase of Horses, I address those chiefly, who are not tho-
roughly acquainted with that most uncertain and dangerous commodity,
and my first advice to them has ever beeu, not to rely upon their own
opinion or fancy, but to be guided by the judgment of some thoroughly
experienced person. To know and judge of a Horse well, everlastingly
too, as he is made the instrument of deception, beyond any other article
of sale, requires tlie instant recollection of a great number of material
points,an insight into which, can only have been obtained from long and
various practice. Few, exclusive of those whose proper business it is,,
can or will be at the needful pains to acquire this.

As general rules, it rarely turns out a successful speculation, to pur-
chase an unwarranted Horse, or one Avithout a previous trial. The pur-
chaser ought also to insist on a quiet examination of his bargain, both
in the stable and abroad, unruffled by the cracks and flourishes of the
whip. And the reality of the Horse's soundness, ought to be deter-
mined by some experienced person, within the period commonly al-
lowed.

With respect to the qualifications of a Horse, in a general way, the fol-
lowing are paramount, and will not be difficult to retain in memory. First,
he ought to be equal to the weight to be carried. To have a good mouth,
and rein, or carry his head well, without the aid of a martingale ; his
shoulder and lore-hand also, being so elevated as to have no need of a
crupper. To bend hisloiees sufliciently tocarry him safe over the ground.
Neither to knock nor cut a hair, above or below, behind or before. To
have brisk aud airy action, and to be able to make haste on an occasion.
I*(ot to be shy or startlish, but young enough to afford the owner ra-
tional expectation of the enjoyment of all the aforesaid good qualities,
during a considerable length of time.

On JOURNEY RIDING and the management of the Horse. A gentle-
man Avho is attended by his groom, must occasionally make use of his
own circumspection, in order to keep his servant punctual in tue per-
formance of his duties ; those who are unattended must, in course, trust

intirely

182

intirely to tlieir own care. Previously to mounting, observe that the
Horse's shoes be fast, i)roperly placed, and tliat he go sound with
them. That the saddle lit, be set on level, and in its proper place, and
that the pads be not rivelled up in girtliing; that the girths, one
exactly over the other, bear eqiialh', and are sufficiently tiglit, without
pressing too severely the body of" the Horse. That the curb-chain be
fixed below the snaffle-bit, the reins even and not twisted. The recur-
rence of blunders here alluded to, ever has been, and is perpetual,
among hostlers, and 1 am persuaded will be, to doomsday.

Reluctant and uneasy action in the Horse should not be treated with
neglect or correction, without an examination of the probable cause.
I address men of sense, who entertain ideas of justice. Exclusive of the
aches and pains from hard labour, a Horse may suffer great uneasiness
from being curbed or girthed too tight, from the ill-fitting, or wrong po-
sition of the saddle, from a nail driven too near the sensible parts of the
foot, or from a shoe bearing upon the soal. If a Horse which is known
to be honest, and to ride quiet, stop short, it is most probably to ap-
prize his rider of some sudden want or complaint ; it may be merely a
pressing want to stale, but it may be also a fit of the strangury, to
which some old hacknies are liable, and which may have been brought
upon them, by a forcible retention of their urine often repeated.

Speedy travelling, or great performances, are not to be expected
from a hackney, which is not full of hard meat, and in thorough con-
dition, whatever may be his natural abilities; nor from Horses which
have not ready action, or which strike together and wound their legs,
Avhatever be their condition. But Horses with care and good keep,
may be gradually ridden into good case, even if taken from grass.
In proportion to their weakness, they must, at first, be ridden slow,
little beyond a foot pace, and short stages. Ordinary hacks in condi-
tion, will travel seven or eight miles per hour, the day through ; the
best, ten or eleven. For the fi)rmer, a journey of forty or fifty miles
in the day is sufficient, and this they may do, two or three successive
days, with the weight of which they are completely masters. Those
of high qucdification will travel four-score, during the same time, but
all beyond that exertion is a severe trespass on their powers ; and even

to

183

to travel four-score miles in a long day, is not to be often repeated with
impunity, by the best English roadsters, that is to say, the best upon
earth. I formerly knew a slender mapein Suffolk, about three-parts bred,
which, with seventeen stone upon her back, travelled four-score miles,
three or four successive days, and towards the conclusion of her jour-
ney, was so skittish, that she flew out of the road and threw her rider
into a ditch. It does not rain hacknies like her, yet her owner, some
few years afterwards, obtained another, nearly equal in goodness, well
known under the name of the Death's Dun Hobby.

They who az'e accustomed to travel long continued journies, of weeks
or months together upon the same Horse, content themselves with per-
forming from twenty to thirty-five miles per day ; and with good keep,
namely, as much above a peck of corn daily, as tlie Horse's appetite
may fairly and naturally crave, and at proper weights, such moderate
labour may be maintained to any length, and good health and condi-
tion preserved, provided the traveller set out with a sound hacknev
adapted to the road. The prime requisites of such adaptation are, go-
ing perfectly clear all-fours, in plain English, never knocking or cutting
a hair, before or behind ; sufficiently bending the knee, and keeping well
above the ground ; descending a hill safelv, with a natural and instinc-
tive resting on the haunches, and always bearing lightly and i)lcasantly
on the bit. There is a very agreeable reining and gentle play of the
head and neck, with good-tempered and Avell-mouthed Horses, in their
travelling, but the habit of rude and constant motion of the head,
which is often thrown up, to the eminent danger of striking the rider's
face, embarrassing enough at all times, is, in hot weather, intolerable,
connected with any degree of comfort. A running martingale is the
only remedy. In noting the qualifications of a good hack, such a shoulder
and fore-hand as Avill prove a stay to the saddle, and render a crooper
utterly needless, ought not to be forgotten ; not only in regard to the
awkwardness and want of style in the crooper, but because the need uf
0!:eever indicates a deliictive Ibrm inthe Horse. Nevertheless, salety and
comfort ever ouglit to take precedence of fashion, and it is far better to
ridewitha crooper, than for a man to exhibit himself in the dangerous

and

184

and ludicrous situation of travelling, inch bj^ inch, towards his Horse's

head.

It is far better to reflect in time, than to be afterwards convinced by
sad experience, both of the animal and yourself, that leggy, or long-
legged Horses, with narrow and weak loins, and such as scour, or part
with the excrement too frequently, are altogether incapable of long
continued exertions. The inal)ility will soon be manifest, from the
Horse refusing his food. Such may yet be usefid, safe, and pleasant,
to ride airings, orjournies of a few miles. There are others, not a
few, in this unfortunate predicament, without discovering any of its
usual indications, and the cause seems internal, and inscrutable.

In expeditious traveUing, on our level turnpike roads, the stage ought
not to exceed two or three and twenty miles, but twenty is a fiiir stage,
and may be performed, by a good hack and a good rider, with much
comfort and no injury, in two hours. When the inns are at inconve-
nient distances, it is preferable to shorten, rather than lengthen, the
-staocs. Travelling at this rate, alternate trotting and cantering, ac-
cording to the inclination of the Horse, is the best method, and in
which he sustains the least fatigue. Thus iiity or sixty miles may be
run off by day light, with little fatigue and no injury, either to Horse or
man, par exemple, in the jjresent month, September. Start at seven in
the morning, ride twenty miles to brcaklabt at nine. Start again at
•eleven, and ride twenty more. Again, twenty miles between three and
five o'clock. In the depth of Avinter, starting at €ight in the morning,
and adhering to the above rules, the travell-er will not be upon the road
later than five oclock in the afternoon, and yet go over tifty miles of
grou.:d. The summer season presents rare opportunities to tliose, who
like Bonaparte, possess tlie inestimable virtue of early rising, of per-
forming the chief of their journies in the cool of the morning and even-
ing. 1 have recommended riding a stage before breakfast, whieh many
will decline, but I can vouch tor the practice, as most excellent and
remedial, both for the Horse and horseman, who are luxuriously fed.
It is sufTicient'.y obvious, that the n.ethod «)f quick-journey riding, will
not suit all men or all Horses. Many preftT jogging on at the rate o-f
five or six miles per hour, the long day through. Much benefit may

they

185

tiiey derive therefrom, but it would be a bitter penance to their humble
servant, old as he is. In this slow work, a capital walker must be
highly useful; and indeed, one of that description, is capable of walk-
ing over u number of miles in a long day.

Make it an invariable rule, never to set off at a quick rate, with a
Horse just fed and his stomach full. The analogy of common sense
and common animal feelings, ought to be sufficient to prevent such
brutality. Upon a full stomach the Horse should be walked or ridden
a slow pace some miles. On this account, in expeditious journeyino-,
the Horse should be made dry. and ready to receive his corn, as early
as possible after arriving at the inn, that sufficient time may be allowed
for digestion. And here arise two very material considerations : unless
he be in good condition ; and also, his rate to be equal to his re-
quired dispatch ; on arrival at the end of the stage, he will neither
dry nor feed. In the course of the journey, the small feeds of corn are
to be preferred, barely half a pail of water being allowed with each, the
larger feeds being more beneficial at night, the season of rest. The
weather being hot, and the roads dusty, a Horse should be allowed to
moisten his mouth occasionally, with two or three go-downs of water,
but no more; at the same time it is salutary to cool his feet, and to
<iuench the heat of the iron with which they are bound.

But a Horse in a state of perspiration should never be ridden above
the knees in water, or suffered to continue longer than a minute or two
therein, when it can be avoided ; for although this be so repeatedly
done with apparent impunity, few men of long experience in Horses but
have witnessed the fatal effects, from colds so caught ; usually founder-
ing the feet, melting the grease, as it is called, yellows, or dangerous
cholics. If he be tolerably cool, the Horse may be indulged with a
very moderate draught of water, Avithin two or three miles of the con-
clusion of the stage; being perfectly cool, he may perhaps be left to his
discretion. He should be then ridden in, as slowly as convenience will
admit, and in such sort should the first two or three miles of the stage
be performed, lost time being redeemed in the middle distance, and on
the best of the road. The pecker ought not to be forgotten, on taking a
journey, sometimes so much wanted, for the purpose of disengaging a

2 B stone.

186

stone, strongly fixed between the sole and shoe of" the Horse; and it is a
useful qualiOcation in a groom, to be able to drive properly a nail on
an uriirent occasion.

Arrived at the inn, the Horse, if too warm to be immediately stabled,
or the weather being warm and dry, he may be led abroad, stripped of
his saddle, but rather in the shade than in the blazing sun, which last
hostlers ever prefer, as it dries most expeditiously, their only object of
consideration. A new exposure to the heat of the sun, must be a poor
refreshment to an animal, perhaps already faint and exhausted. In cold
and wet weather, he should be instantly led to the stable, and so placed
as not to be exposed to acurrent of cold air. He should be littered up
to the hocks, with fresh dry straw. The saddle must not be suddenly
taken from his back, if hot, but the girths loosened, and a dry cloth
thrown over his loins. A light mouthful or two of sweet well-shaken
hay being put before the Horse, his face, ear-roots, throat, and neck,
should fh'st be gently rubbed, and afterwards his feet and legs washed
to the knees and hocks. If he have another stage to proceed, he will
be ready to feed in half an hour, or less ; but some Horses, however
they may have been managed, cannot be made dry on their journey,
ever breaking into perspiration in the stable, even if they enter it cool.

The attentions due to the immense labours of the Horse, are too im-
portant, whether in the view of humanity or interest, to be trusted to the
honesty or care of any stranger, and he who is niggard of them, deserves
not to be well and safely carried. The cleanness of the manger, and of
the corn, together with its quantity and qualit}'^, ought to be ascertained
by the master or his groom, the punctuality of whom ought also to be
frequently scrutinized. Previouslj'^ to commencing a fresh stage, the
Horse's back ought to be examined, in order to guard against the ill ef-
fects of chale or warble, and the state of his legs in the cutting places,
and of his shoes. The saddle-pads being wet with sweat, should at first
be placed where they may dry ; and in many cases, a clean and dry
saddle-cloth proves very comibrtable and refreshing to a Horse.

To conclude this branch of the subject, after a long and hard day's
journey, and when it must be too apparent, by the Horse frequently
lifting up and shifting his feet as he stands in his stall, that his feet and.

legs

1S7 ■ ■

legs are in an inflamed and painful state, there can he nothing admini-
stered, at once so comfortable and beneficial to him, as the warm bath
for those extremities. It may be used the last thing at night, each leg
being set into the largest and deepest pail, and suffered to remain as long
as there is any warmth in the water. This will have far more lubri-
cating, refreshing, and strengthening effects, and indeed, more exten-
sive than the common, or any stoppings for the feet. Warm water is also
the most proper drink for an over-fatigued Horse. All such accommoda-
tions may be had at our inns, the hostler's fee only being, as in reason it
ought, somewhat heavier on the account. I ma)^ be styled the harbinger
of cares and observances : 1 reply, ^A ithout their use, evils, like weeds
undisturbed by the hoe, are perpetually springing up.

2b 2

SEC

188

SECTION XV

IIOUSEMAXSHIP ITS VARIOUS BRANCHES,

J. HE divisions or variations of this system, have ah'eady been occa-
sionally referred to, in the course of the work. Horsemanship may be
])rimarily divided into the manege, or manage, for militarv and orna-
mental ])urposes, and the method adopted for the common occasions
of business or pleasure. These two grand purposes will admit of various
subdivisions ; as the mamge is divided into the grand and petit ; and
civil Horsemanship, granting such a term to be legitimate, consists of
the modes to be adopted upon the turf, in the i lELD, in the troiting
MATCH, and in common road business.

On commencing this branch of my subject, I first opened the analysis
of Horsemanship by Mr. Adams, the riding-master, a book, although I
knew the name, which.came accidentally into my hands. I have not
the pleasure to know Mr. Adams, or where his school is, but according
to the best of my judgment, he has served the public with a very ex-
cellent practical work, upon a thread-bare, though always interesting,
subject. Accustomed to run over the pages of his grace of NeMxastle,
and the French originals, and with no small share of that prejudice
against the manege, which usually adheres to the class.. of horsemen to
which I belong, I dreaded a repetition of the task; and when I reluc-
tantly opened the volumes of Adams, it was not with very sanguine
e.xpectations. The truth is, I despaired of any thing beyond the flou-
rishes and lofty pretensions of modern compilation, the main worth of
which I had long since learned to appreciate ; instead of which, to my
most agreeable surprise, I there found moderation and the soundest
practical lessons, given in such perspicuous terms, that no man of com-
mon sense can misapprehend them ; those sanctioned beyond a doubt,
by the author's own pen and experienct% and enforced by reflections,
which, both for their solidity and humanity, Avould do honour to the
head and heart of any man. In fine, i found an easy text book, for

the

189

the manege, from which I shall take the liberty to draw most of the kw
])ractical lessons I may want, giving my own sentiments on the general
subject. It is not in my power to render the author better amends lor
thus converting his book to my use, than very heartily to recomfnend
to my readers, both his written and oral instructions.

The grand manege is the most comprehensive system of education,
for the Horse, for whereas in common horse-breaking, the animal is
only taught obedience and forward progression ; by the manege he is
instructed in everj^ possible useful or ornamental action, rectilinear, re-
trograde, oblique, or perpendicular. This science, the principle of
Avhich is derived from the ancients, has been cultivated, extended, and
improved, through a succession of ages. Every action of which the
Horse is capable, has been analyzed and calculated, and the whole re-
duced to a system of practical rules, the relations of which are explained
by an appropriate terminology. As the grand manege has been long.
C41 the decline, there are little, perhaps no modern additions, but re-
trenchments and improvements, especially on the part of humanity to
the Horse. The late Sir Sidney Medows is esteemed the greatest
English improver of the art, in latter times, an instance of which, re-
corded by Berringer, is the invention of a snaffle with double reins, one
to be fastened over the withers, on the opposite side to which the Horse
is to turn, in order to the raising of his head, and to press and bend his
haunches.

'I'he ancients, as we learn from Xenophon, longed and worked their
Horses in circles, to the right and left hand, backward and forward,
as at present. The general objects of the modern manege are, to unite,,
knit, or truss the body of the Horse, binding his haunclies more under
him ; to give him a graceful and lofty action, a mouth of the highest
delicacy, in order to secure that appui or reciprocity of feeling, or
support and dependence between it and the rider's hand, and to teach
him movement in every direction, with certain feats of vaulting, lor the
technical names of which I must refer to professional books. In few
words, to educate the Horse in this way, is literally to teach him to
dance and caper ; formerly, for ought 1 know, also at present. Horses
on the Continent were accustomed to dance the saraband, and to per-
form

190

ibrm the capiiole, that is to caper like a goat, as the term implies. There
is, however, a view of utiiilv, as well as aiiiusement, in these feats, since
to be able to sit scientifically and securely upon tlie Horse, while he
performs them, is the great test of complete Horsemanship.

Nothing can be more obvious than that the grand manege is chiefly
ornamental, and that the thoronghlv-dressed Horse is rather an object
of luxurious parade, than of real utility, even allowing, that by this ex-
tensive education, all the bodily and mental powers of" the animal are
elicited and displayed. But it is far otherwise with the petit, or infe-
rior manege, which consists of all that is useful in the othtr, fitting the
Horse for the ranks, and for every purpose of military service. This
useful part of the system is also applicable to other services, in how
great a degree it is beneficially so, will be b3^-and-by considered,

In the language of the Riding-house, the Horse is itorkcd by means
of aids, accompaniments, corrections, animations, cherishings, or scoldings.
These are given by the hand, and various parts of the body of the rider,
a perfect correspondence and unity of action, being established between
him and the animal he bestrides, until the idea of a centaur, or being
half equine and half human, and animated by one and the same mind,
seems to be realized. Thus the thoroughly-dressed Horse possesses all
the accomplishments of grace, stateliness, action, and intelligence, which
it is in the power of science to impress upon his natural susceptibility.

The practice of the old school necessarily partook of the ignorance
and barbarity of the times, and the most absurd and useless trtsjiasses
were made upon the animal feelings. Over and above the gags and
tortures of the mouth, the legs of the Horse were often confined in
trammels, in which state he was driven onwards by sharp goads, that he
might acquire a crippled and unnatural pace ! Heavy shoes were
fixed upon his hinder feet, and even sacks of sand upon the loins, in
order to keep down the hinder parts of the Horse. To these were
added pasterns of lead, and shoes of advantage, which last, with their
plates, beside the constant torture they occasioned, often crippled the
Horse for life, by strains in the stifle or lower joints. In the modern
JSnglish schooh all unfair and unnatural methods ofsubduing the Horse,

are.

191

are, or ought to be, totally discarded, and his education to be commenced
and completed by legitimate and uninjurious implements ; by -whole-
some restraint, moderate correction, a;id rational ai)peals tu his natural
docility.

Let us now borrow a little practice from Mr. Adams. To mount a
Horse, present yourself on the near, or left side, rather before the shoul-
der, the whip or switch in your left-hand, because the right-hand must
be full of action, moving from place to place, and the whip being moved
might disturb the Horse. Take the reins, single or double, in your left-
hand, and sulFiciently tight to hold the Horse, then standing with your
left-breast towards the Horse's shoulder, take hold of the stirrup-leather
with your right-hand, to steady it, while you raise the left-foot and place
it in the stirrup.

If you are low in stature, and the Horse high, you will be obliged to
support yourself on the ball of the right foot, and by a sudden spring at
the same time, the right hand must quit the stirrup, and catch hold of
the hinder part, or cantle of the saddle, and thereby raise yourself in the
stirrup.

Here pause, that you may deliberately lift your leg over, at the same
time removing your right-hand from the cantle to the pommel, to steady
yourself while you are seated.

Next, place your right-foot in the stirrup, and let go the mane from
the left-hand, but not the reins, which ought at hrst to be placed as they
are to remain; adjust your clothes, and exchange the whip from the
left-hand to the right ; accustom your Horse to stand, till you request
him to move. In dismounting, you disengage yourself from the Horse
in like manner. Mr. Adams joins with Lord Pembroke in opinion, that
it is proper to be expert at mounting on either side the Horse ; of the
truth of which I never entertained the smallest doubt, carrying the idea
beyond the military service; since no person who is much on horseback,
even in the field or upon the road, but will have frequent opportunities
of proving its convenience. Nevertheless, such practice stands in the
same predicament with the use of the left-hand, which, however im-
portant it may be, with respect to emergencies, men are too indolent to
acquire, or to teach their children.

The managed SEAT,styled by Mr. Adams fundamental, is that medium

position

192

position from which all others proceed, and in Avhich the rider remains
-whilst the Horse works straight forward, and without any hend or devi-
ation. In order to describe this, it is usual to divide the horseman into
three parts — the thighs, from the fork to the knees: the legs, from
the knee downward ; and the body, from the fork upwards.

The thighs, to have an effective hold of the saddle, must be turned
inward from the hips, so that the hollow and muscular part of the thighs
may lay smooth and flat to the saddle. The knees must be stretched
down and kept back, so as to place the thighs about twenty-five or
thirty degrees short of a perpendicular. This Avill occasion the rider
to sit on his fork or twist, as he should, and not on his breech. The
knee is to be bent to that degree, in which the toe will be perpen-
dicular with it. The legs to hang near the Horse's sides, but not to
touch. The heel to be sunk as low as possible, and the toe raised.
This Avill give firmness and strength to the muscles of the legs and
thi"hs, which last, at all times, ought to have hold of the saddle, as the
chief dependence for preserving the balance or equipoise of the body.
The legs are occasional auxiliaries, to strengthen the hold of the thighs,
by the grasp of the calves. The legs are likewise used to request, aid,
support, and chastise the Horse.

The body, fi-om the fork upwards, must always retain that attitude
which secures the equipoise, and adapts it to the corresponding motion:
the body must be held upright, without the least propensity to drop for-
ward, which, from the position of the thighs, it inevitably will, unless
the loins be sufficiently bent, making the back very hollow, and the
shoulders thrown back, the chest being open, the head ujiright and
firm, the arms from the shoulder to the elbow, hanging perpendicular ;
the elbows bent, that the left-hand may generally reach, within three
inches, the pommel of the saddle. The arm, above the Avrist, may liglitly
restagainst the body, and the w rist may be so bent, that the thumb being
upwards, resting on the first joint of the fore-finger, may point betAveen
the Horse's ears. The right-hand holding the whip, ought to be placed
somewhat lower than the left, not to obstruct the operation of the
bridle. In this seat, the nose, the breast, the knee, and toe, form a
perpendicular line ; the shoulders, elbow, and heel, likewise form a

per-

193

perpendicular. When the rider can see any part of his foot, he may
be assured, he is not in the position above described ; the sight of the
foot should be obstructed by the knee.

Berringer's material directions in the formation of the true seat, are
as follow : Let the horseman place himself at once upon his twist, set-
ting exactly in the middle of the saddle ; let him support this posture,
in which the twist alone seems to sustain the weight of the whole body,
by moderately leaning upon his buttocks; let his thighs be turned in-
Avard, and rest flat upon the sides of the saddle ; and in order to this, let
the turn of the thighs proceed directly from the hips, and let him em-
ploy no force or strength to keep himself in the saddle, but trust to the
weight of his body and thighs; this is the exact equitihrc; in this consists
the firmness of the whole building, a firmness which young beginners
are never sensible of at first ; but which is to be acquired, and will
always be attained by exercise and practice.

He continues — I demand but a moderate stress upon the buttocks,
because a man Avho sits fully upon them, can never turn his thighs
flat upon the saddle ; and the thighs should always lie flat, because the
fleshy part of the thigh being insensible, the horseman would not other-
Avise be able to feel the motions of his Horse : I insist that the turn of
the thigh should be from the hip, because this turn can never be natu-
ral, but as it proceeds from the holloAV of the hip-bone, I insist farther,
that the horseman never avail himself of the strength or help of his
thighs, because, beside that they Avould then be less steady, the closer
he pressed them to the saddle, the more Avould he be lifted up above
the saddle ; and Avith respect to his buttocks and thighs, he ought al-
Avays to be in the middle of the saddle, and set doAvn full and close
upon it.

Berenger remarks, that the rules generally prescribed for the horse-
man's seat, have been various, and cAcn opposite, according to the
notions of different riding-masters, and the customs of different coun-
tries; and that the Italians, Spaniards, and the French, and indeed
every country Avhere riding is in repute, adopt each a posture, Avhich i
peculiar to themselves ; but he avers, that art has discovered certain

2 c invariable

194

invariable principles, on which may be grounded a sure and infaUible

method,

I proceed to Mr. Adams's explanation, and the grounds of his pre-
cepts :— Unless the thighs be turned inAvard from the hips, they will
not have that muscular grasp or hold which is indispensible to the

seat.

If the knee be suffered to go forward or rise, the muscles of the thigh
lose their effect, and the knee only pinches, which is not the intention;
for the muscles of the thighs are to act as springs, taking a moderate and
pleasant hold of the saddle ; not so loose that the action of the Horse
can remove the thighs from their places ; nor yet so tight, as unneces-
sarily to fatigue the muscles, or prevent that motion, which the action
of the Horse gives to the rider's body, vibrating in its balance. The
muscles thus act as springs, to break the shock or jolt, which the body
receives from being fixed upon the fork or tAvist.

The muscles likewise, by practice, act involuntarily, or instinctively,
in preserving the balance, thus : when the body is a little thrown to
©ne side, on the next motion, the muscular force of the opposite thigh
Tecovers the balance, which, by this nice, and as it were, instinctive
action of the muscles, is constantly preserved.

The bending of the knee, as directed, brings the calves of the legs
near to the Horse's sides, which they are not to touch ; because, in that
case, the legs would perform the functions of the thighs, which they
ought never to do, but on the impracticability of otherwise maintaining
the seat, as when a Horse plunges, kicks, or leaps.

Farther, were the legs to continue on the Horse's sides, the efficacy
of the aids would be thereby destroyed. On the other hand, if the
knee be straight, the foot will be forward, and the legs too distant from
the Horse's sides, by which the rider would be exposed to danger,
were the Horse suddenly to turn round, fly out of the road, or plunge :
because the calves of the legs are occasional auxiliaries to secure the
seat, and if too distant, the seat may be lost before their assistance can
be obtained.

Supporting the toe gives strength and firmness to the muscles of the
legs and thighs.

The

195

The body must always be in a situaticm, not only to preserve the
balance, but maintain the seat. The distinction between the balance
and the seat may be thus marked : The balance is the centrical or equi-
librian position of the body, whatever may be the motions of the Horse.
The seat is the horseman's firm hold of the saddle, when he is liable to
be thrown over the Horse's neck, or to fall backward over his tail.

To preserve the balance, it is evident the body of the rider must keep
in the same direction as the Horse's legs; e.g. if the Horse work
straight and upright on his legs, the rider's body must be in the same
upright direction; but when the Plorse bends or leans, as when working
on a circle, or trotting round a corner, the rider must lean in the same
direction or proportion, or his balance will be lost. The balance, in-
deed, may be preserved by a different seat, but the seat will not be
secure.

For instance, a rider who sits on his breech, with his knees up and
legs forward, may preserve his balance, yet lose his seat, should the
Horse rear or kick. Admitting that with this seat, a hollow back and
firm hold with the calves of the legs, might be preserved, the rider is
yet only secure against stumbling and kicking ; for should the Horse
rear, the rider must inevitably fall backwards, and be in danger of
pulling the Horse over with himself On the other hand, if the body
incline forward, so as to have a propensity to fall forward, when the
Horse shortens his step, or abates his action, the rider is in danger,
should the Horse kick, or only stumble, of falling over his head. When
the back is rounded instead of hollow, the seat is much exposed, be-
cause the body is not in a position well adapted to take the correspond-
ing motion, should the Horse rear, kick, plunge, or stumble.

Respecting the arms, as the position of the body, arms and every
member varies in some measure, according to the position or style in
which the Horse is worked, whatever the position may be, the muscles
and nerves of the arms, and in short, of every part, must possess such
firmness, as to exclude every perceptible shake or motion.

To acquire the true balance, the best method is to practise on circles,
which is called the longe : begin on large circles, and an easy trot, in
which the Horse will be so little bent, as scarcely to make a perceptible

2 c 2 alteration

196

alteration in the rider's position ; but "as the circles are contracted, and
the pace extended, it will become necessary, not only for the rider's
bpdy to lean with the Horse, but likewise to bend, or turn in the same
direction as the Horse's head, Avhich of course will be bent a little within
the circle: this may be called the first variation. It is necessary to
work back to the right and left, and without stirrups, until a true equi-
librehe acquired independent of their aid.

When the stirrups are first used, they will be found an incumbrance,
rather than any assistance, and a new difficulty will occur, namely, the
keeping the feet in them. This will be surmounted by practice, ob-
serving to bear no more than the weight of the foot in the stirrup, which
must be placed under the ball of the foot, and the play of the instep to
the action which the body receives, will keep the stirrup there. Until this
play of the instep be acquired, it will be found, if the toe be too for-
ward, the stirrup will fall to the instep, and if too backward, the stirrup
will be lost ; but the foot being in its proper place, should the toe be
raised, the stirrup will not immediately slip.

No assistance ought to be derived fi"om the reins, in order to support
the balance. The hand must be fixed, and the reins of such a length,
as to feel and support the Horse, but never to support the rider in his
seat. A peak saddle is proper to begin with, and for the commence-
ment of every new lesson. By patience and perseverance, the true
balance on horseback is acquired, and then, firm nerves assure a firm
seat.

The HAND. If the hand be held steady, as the Horse advances in the
trot, the fingers will feel, by the contraction and dilatation of the reins,
a small sensation or tug, occasioned by the measure or cadence of every
step. This, which is reciprocally felt in the Horse's mouth, by means
of the CORRESPONDENCE, is called the cippiti ; and while the oppui is
preserved between the hand and mouth, the Horse is in perfect obedience
to the rider, the hand directing him with the greatest ease, so ttiat the
Horse seems to work by the will of the rider, rather than the compulsion
of the hand. The hand thus possesses a considerable power, indepen-
dent of other aids and assistances, more than sutiicitni to coutroul and
direct a Horse that is broke or obedient.

The

197

The CORRESPONDENCE is the eifective communication between the
hand and I lie mouth; the eppui is the quality or strength of the opera-
tion upon the mouth ; the support is the effect of the hand relative to the
position or action ; these are all to be maintained in inanege riding,
and in united paces; for independent of them, a Horse is under no im-
mediate controul, as we find in the extended gallop, or full speed, in
which it may require a hundred yards, to pull your Horse together and
stop him. The correspondence being understood,, the power and effect
of the hand will soon be ftilt and discovered by practice. For example,
the hand collecting the reins, supports the Horse; the legs press the
action, the a<tionby a proper correspondence, produces the app^i; and
the appui will be strong or light, according to the action or position, in
which the Horse works.

The CIRCLE ; conceive one of thirtj'^ yards diameter, and the number
of circles which can be described by the Horse, within so large a cir-
cumference, by the operation of the aids. Even in the centre, these
aids, judiciously managed, can turn the Horse on three distinct and se-
'parate pivots; first, on his centre, or that point directly under the
horseman's seat, in Avhich the fore feet take place of the hinder, and
these of the fore : secondU^ on the fore feet, in which they keep their
ground, the hind feet moving round them : lastly, on the hinder feet,
which keep the centre, while the fore feet describe the circle.

I return to Berenger, for a few practical observations on the functions
of the hand. A Horse can move four different ways : he can advance,
go back, turn to the right and left, but he can never make these different
motions, unless the hand of the rider permit him, by making four other
corresponding motions, which answer to them ; so that there are five
different positions for the hand. The first is that general position, from
which the other four ought to proceed.

Hold j'our hand, three fingers breadth from your body, as high as
your elbow, in such manner that the joint of your little finger be upon
a right lincAvith the tip of the elbow; let your wrist be sufficiently round-
ed, that your knuckles may be kept directly above the neck of the
Horse ; let your nails be exactly opposite your body, the little finger
nearer to it than the others, your thumb quite flat upon the reins,

which

198

which you must separate by putting your httle finger between them,
the right rein laying upon it : this is the first and general position.

Does your Horse go forward, or rather would you have him go for-
ward? yield to him your hand, and for that purpose turn your nails
downward, in such manner as to bring your thumb near your body ;
remove your little finger from it, and bring it into the place where your
knuckles Avere in the first position, keeping your nails directly above
your Horse's neck : this is the second position.

Would you make your Horse go backward ? quit the first position ;
let your wrist be quite round ; let j^our thumb be in the place of the
little fioger in the second position, and the little finger in that of the
thumb, turn your nails quite upward, and towards your face, and your
knuckles will be towards your Horse's neck: this is the third position.

Would you turn your Horse to the right ? leave the first position,
carry your nails to the right, turning your hand upside down, in such
manner, that your thumb be carried out to the left, and the little finger
brought into the right : this is the fourth position.

Lastly, would you turn to the left? quit again the first position ; carry
the back of your hand a little to the left, so that the knuckles may come
under a httle, that your thumb may incline to the right, and the little
finger to the left : this makes the fifth position. These different positions
however, alone are insufficient, unless the horseman be able to pass from
one to another with readiness and order.

SECTION

199

SECTION XVI.

SPORTING AND COMMON SYSTEMS OF EQUITATION — THE JOCKEY SEAT —

SUPPOUT OF THE HAND IN RACING OPINION OF MR. ADAMS ON THE

JOCKEY SYSTEM HIDING THE TROTTER — DISADVANTAGES OF THE

GRAND MANEGE UTILITY OF RIDING-SCHOOLS ON A RATIONAL VLAN

GENERAL PRACTICE BREAKING THE COLT THE LEAP THE SHY, RES-

TIFf', and VICIOUS HORSE THE RUNAWAY EARL OF PEMBROKE'S

RULES.

I NOW proceed to those systems of equitation, on which I can speak
from my own practice; and first, of the general sportsman-Hke seat,
which, in essentials, is that of the turf, or the jockey-seat, and indeed,
precisely the seat of the jockey, whilst his Horse only walks or trots.
It is, in fact, simply the position of nature and of ease, upon the saddle
as in the chair.

Mount the side of the Horse, as already directed in the manege, but
without the formality of standing so very forward, it being sufficient,
with regard to safety, to place yourself nearly opposite to the stirrup.
Place yourself upright upon your breech, in the saddle, bending your
knees sufficiently to retain a firm grasp with the knee, which, to assure
such hold, must, whilst the quickness of the action demands a seat, be
invariably turned inward to the saddle; the legs falling down straight,
the feet home in the stirrup, and the toe turned somewhat out and up-
Avard.

The body should certainly be erect on horseback, as a person of good
carriage should set in any other place ; but in jockey-riding the spine
is generally, to a small degree, bent outward, not only as more easy and
gi-aceful, but as being in unison, or correspondence, with the bended
knee, the opposite directions of which and the toe, the one in, the other
outward, also help to confirm the jockey-seat, and enable the rider to
support his Horse in the gallop, and to give him the requisite pulls.

Every

200

Every one will suit the length of his stirrup leathers to the degree which
he finds it comfortable or proper to bend his knees.

The chief precept of my old master, a training-groom, long since
dead, to prepare me for the long gallop, was, * Bend your knee, and
let it come forward.' However, if the knee be too much bent, and the
jockey ride too short, his seat will be extremely vacillating and uncer-
tain nor can he pull with all his force. It must not be bent so much as
to prevent the grasp of the thighs, since without such grasp, the seat
cannot subsist as it ought, almost entirely independent of the pulling of
the Horse, and would, moreover, be liable to derangement and loss of all
hold, upon any violent or irregular motions.

The arms and legs to remain perfectly at rest, the elbows being joined
easily to the sides, the hands somewhat above the Horse's withers, or
the pommel of the saddle, and the rider's view between the Horse's
ears. The left, or bridle hand, failing in strength, the jockey always
supports it with the right, either in speedy gallopping, trotting, or going
down hill. The grasp of tlie thighs and of the calves of the legs, are
precisely of the same use and consequence in this system, as in the
mane<re; without such helps, it would be impossible for a rider to retain
his seat, in any irregular action of the Horse, or in tlie leap. As to the
equilibre, or balance, nature points it out to every animated being whilst
in motion, and in the horseman, practice furnishes its rules.

The late Samuel Chifney had a superior jockey-seat, the form of
which has been handed down by Stubbs, in his portrait of Baronet, a
Horse belonging to the Prince of Wales. Indeed, good seats are al-
ways to be seen at a race, although we occasionally observe a straight-
knee'd slovenly jockey, even amongst those ot high repute.

In order to spur, the jockey turns his toe still more out, and strikes
from his knee. Spurring is his most difficult action, whence the acqui-
sition of a jockey-seat is peculiarly intitled to the attention of those, who
are not to be trusted with spurs, because they are unable to keep them
from the Horse's sides. In fine, jockey-riding may be described in few
words, as either sitting or kneeling gracefully, upon the back of the
Horse.

The reader will perceive, that the most useful principles of the ma-
nege.

^01

mge, are not only applicable, but really, althoiigb instinctively, applied
in jockey-riding-. I say instinctively, for among jockies they are acquired
merely by practice, no regular theory or collection of terms having been
invented for the use of the course, as for the riding school; and pro-
bably no one before me, in my other work, had defined the principles,
and described the form of the modern jockey-seat.

To instance the appui and support of the hand, they are of eminent
consequence in jockey-riding, whether in the gallop or trot, not only to
restrain the Horse in his career, but to encourage, regulate, and forward
his springs, and help him to retain his wind. They are thus differently
ap])lied, yet their principle is the same as in the manege. In the manege
all depends on the extreme delicacy of the mouth, to which no weight
is used, and if any force, it is the sharp action of the curb, with which,
indeed, the managed Horse is always ridden. But that kind of support
is absolutely necessary to the Race-horse, which is derived from the
strength of the jockey's arms, and a considerable bearing upon the bit.
Whence, not only his mouth must not be brought to that degree of soft-
ness, requisite to the managed Horse, but he must not be ridden, unless
his fier.y temper render it absolutely necessary, Avith a curb bridle,
against which he cannot pull so well, and which, indeed, will impede his
action, lift him too much above the ground, and in consequence shorten
his stride.

There is a peculiar mode of animating and supporting the Race-horse
in his career, vulgarly called zcriggbjig. It consists in the alternate
contraction and yielding of the reins, by the jockey, in unison with the
similar action of the Horse, in his contractions and springs. I shall give
the reader Mr. Adams's sentiments on this head, because he appears to
me, to have taken more pains to understand the jockey system, and to
have written more impartially upon it, than any other advocate of the

manege. He observes

In situations where you are to push, and do your utmost, you must
assist the Horse's efforts with the greatest exactness and judgment;
without depriving the Horse of the requisite support, your hand must
permit him to extend himself to the utmost, and assist him in collecting
himself together. This is done by permitting the Horse to draw your

2 D hand

202

hand from your body, to favour his extension ; and as he colkcts him-
self the hand returns to the body, and assists him in collecting his haunches
under him.

This action of the hands must bedone with the nicest judgment, other-
wise, you would abandon, deceive, deter, and prevent, rather than assist,
the Horse's exertion. Be mindful, tlierefore, that the hand does not
move, till the extension of the Horse removes it; and during this re-
moval, that the hand affords the same support that the Horse requires.
When the Horse gathers himself together, the reins would be slack, if
the hand was not to return back again, and the Horse would not be able
to bring his legs so close, as. by the assistance of the rider's support, he.
would be enabled to do. Therefore, as the Horse gathers himself, the
hand must return, yielding him that support which assists the haunches
coming forv/ard. — The eagerness of the Horse will make him extend
himself as far as he can safely, independent of the hand; and the labour
and exertion of gathering himself, without support from the hand, ex-
hausts his wind and strength, and the Horse is said to be blown. There-
fore, it is necessary that the rider's strength should hold out equal with
that of the Horse, since the one depends so much on the other.

So far Mr. Adams : it is not, however, very practicable, to give plain
rules upon paper, for lifting a horse along, or for the other manoeuvres
observed in a race. We here observe a military riding-master con-
vinced, and acknowledging, that a Horse, in swift action, must be sup-
ported by pulling at his mouth, an additional reason for disregarding the
common-place sophistry of foreign manege writers, lately adopted by
some of our Horse surgeons, that the mouths of English Horses are
always spoiled by being borne upon. Such a thing may occasionally
happen from the aukward riding of heavy and common grooms, who
have no other seat on horseback in the gallop, but that which is sup-
ported by the bridle, and it may still oftener result from the neglect of a
good mouth in breaking; but no Horse's mouth is injured or rendered
insensible, by the fair pulling of the jockey, provided it were well made,
previously to the Horse being trained ; and I have ridden old racers upon
the road, with mouths sufficiently light and sensible, for the most deli-
cate touches of the manege, yet capable, and always ready, to pull, with

the

203

the utmost steadiness, at the snaffle. Such is the perfect mouth; nor is
the Horse with a loose, or neck too much arched, and with a mouth
that cannot endure a moderate pull, without instantly star-gazing, Avell
adapted to any purpose but the parade.

Hard pulling Horses are generally ridden upon the turf) with a check
cord rein upon the snaffle, which restrains them, without lifting up their
fore quarters, and inclining them to curvet, the common effect of the
curb. But in a trotting race, the curb is invariably used, indeed far the
best adapted, since speedy trotting is a contracted, not a longing pace,
and the form of going is with the knee up, and in constant opposition to
the stride, which is instantly fatal to the trot. The curb should, how-
ever, be the mildest, that the Horse may pull at it willingly, and without
the smallest sensation of pain. Indeed, mild curbs, but ahva5s double-
reined, and with a snaffle, are the best of all possible bridles, for well-
mouthed Horses, in every species of riding, the turf excepted; as are
the single curbs among the worst, and fittest to harden and spoil the
mouth.

The common rising and falling in the stirrups, during the trot, must
be acquired by observation and practice, and whilst the true seat is pre-
served, the motion will appear easy and natural. Here again Mr. Adams
gives a truly practical rule, not to attempt rising, until it be indicated,
indeed prompted, by sufficient speed in the Horse, and to wait quietly
ujjon the seat, for that criterion. In the racing or swift trot, the jockey
stands upon his stirrups, and may work at the bridle, as in a gallopingrace.
The seat in both ought to be the same in essentials, excepting, perhaps,
that in the trot, the jockey Avill ride a hole or two longer. The same
seat precisely is used in hunting, the horseman in a short gallop, setting
upon his easy chair, and when the increased rate of speed requires it,
assuming the jockey-seat. In the canter we invariably set at our ease,
but whilst in that position, the true form of the seat ought to be pre-
served, but Avithout fatiguing the muscles by a forced and rigid grasp.
A thorough comprehension of its forms, in the first instance, and habi-
tual practice, will render the true seat that most conducive to ease.

With respect to a comparison of the lucmege, or in the old style,
riding the great Horse, the English method, my sentiments, published

2 D 2 some

204

some years since, have sustained no alteration. The grand mamgc is
an antique and cutr.hrous superfluity, which ought to be laid aside, or
exhibited only in a depository of heavy carriages, and heavy- starched
apparel. They are all equally incongruous with the rational simplicity
of modern taste. Berenger says, it is impossible to find a universal Horse,
or one excelling in all the numerous actions of the school. For,
to comi)letethe full-dressed Horse, requirtns no inconsiderable portion of
his life, and the severity of action in those ingenious and shewy, rather
than useful feats, which he is taught to perform, constantly exjioses
him to the risk of dangerous strains in his reins and hinder quarters.
Indeed, no labourof the Horse can be so severe and distressing, as his
full lesson in the school, of circling, sideling, advancing, retreating,
vaulting, kicking, rearing, and the residue of those exhausting feats, in
which he rivals his fellow performer on the stage, who leaps, vaults,
tumbles, and dances, upon the slack rope.

The late Charles Hughes, and other riding-masters, have acknow-
ledged, that a thoroughly-managed Horse is spoiled for other purposes,
and Adams confesses, that the managed style of riding, is unsuitable
to speedy trotting or galloping'. To dress a Horse perfectly, not only
is his mouth too much weakened, as has been shewn, but his body is so
united, or trussed together, his haunches so much drawn under him,
and he is so used to lift up his fore quarters, that his progressive powers
are spent in the air, and he can no longer project them with his natural
rapidity, in a horizontal direction. In plain English, he loses the greater
part of that qualification so extremely valuable in England, his speed;
paas aukwardly with his fore feet, maugre all his airs and graces, and
cannot put forth his science-shackled limbs, without present pain, and
early fatigue. He is suppled indeed, but he has acquired that kind of
su])pleness which gives him the action of a crab.

Again, respecting the managed seat, however grand and chivalrous it
may appear in a procession, on which I shall hold no argument, surely
its most strenuous advocates must acknowledge, that it is equally ludi-
crous upon any common occasion ; a man with his hollow back, promi-
nent belly and chest, braced shoulders, stiff neck, straight and stiff" legs
and thighs, and mounted on a cock-horse, on the ordinary occasions

of

205

of business, or pleasure, can scarcely fail of exhibiting to the life the hero
of LaMancha; and more especially should his figure possess those na-
tural tendencies grateful to the burlesque, which need not be pointed out.

But we see little or nothing of this among our military officers, who
have generally adopted the hunting seat on horseback, with the excep-
tion, that they most usually ride with the ball of the foot upon the stir-
rup, either from established custom, or that it is really best adapted to mi-
litary equitation. They, on the other hand, who are acquainted with the
jockey-seat, agree, that the position of the foot, home in the stirrup, is
most convenient and easy, and most in unison with the other forms of
the seat. There is also an appearance of aukwardness, imperfection,
and flaw, in the vacuum between the leg and the stirrup leather. In the
jockey-seat there is certainly a considerable dependance on the stirrups,
from the occasional force used in pulling, and the action of the rider; but
the chief dependance ought ever to be on the knee and thigh. Among
the gentlemen of the riding-house, we sometimes hear of the uselessness
of stirrups, but never of their having laid them aside.

With a conviction of the inutility, expensiveness, and injury of the
thorough manege, and with a similar conviction of the equal use and se-
curity of jockey equitation, for en dernier resort, the forms of both seats
must give way to holding fast, by whatever means. I am so far from
wishing the abolition of riding-schools, that I would rather see them in-
creased, and not merely for military, but general use. A system of
demi-manege, including all that is useful of the grand system, would
form military chargers, supposing the Horses naturally adapted, with
action sufficiently lofty and grand, for the most ostentatious: Horses for
the ranks, also, perfectly qualified, and those for general use more grace-
ful, safe, and pleasant, than we at present find thein. These last ought
to come out of the riding-school, with a moderately-tempered mouth,
and no farther put together, than to render them safe. Tliere are some
loose-formed Horses, however, leaving their legs behind them, which
might probably receive benefit from the uniting process of the manege
and those with ill-formed and reversed necks, would receive at school
their only possible improvement, that of a good moutii. I have before
given the caution, that in general, most Horses out of training, should,

previously

206

previously to their being ricklen on the road or field, be sent to the riding-
liouse, and be set moderately upon their haunches, for howe\er good
their mouths may be, they have been too much accustomed to the long-
in"- form of going, to be either pleasant or safe upon the road. In our
breeding counties, there is certainly a A^*ant of riding-schools, at least of
able masters, and indeed, in a country of horsemen, like England, one
would suppose every city or large town, would maintain a riding-school.

General Practice. A managed Horse will go smoothly, and with-
out embarrassment, on either hand, or with either foot first, but road-
horses and hunters should always lead with the right foot; it is the natural
action of the Horse, as may be seen in the cantering of the foal, and a
Horse leading with the left foot goes unpleasantly to the rider. In the
race-horse it is not regarded, but if he be much stiffened by work,
changing his feet in the gallop, gives the rider a considerable shock,
indeed, sufficient to derange his seat, unless it be a practised one. Td
oblige the Horse to take his right foot, press the calf of the left leg, or
the left heel to his side, at the same time sliortening the right rein,
more particularly the curb. If on his pace it is more convenient, first to
turn him a little to the left, and then put him upon his right foot, and
this last seems to have been the method directed by Xenophon. Adams
is of opinion, that the leason some Horses lead generally with the left
foot is, that in breaking, they had only been longed to the left, which
is the easiest to an ordinary breaker; whereas a colt should ever be
longed to both hands.

A caution has already been given, under the head of breaking the
colt, acrainst the miserable habit which ordinary Horses are suffered to
acquire, of confusing, or running the paces, one into the other, or of
commencing a pace im[)roperly. When it is not required by haste, the
Horse should not be put from his trot, into either the canter or gallop,
because it will render him unsteady in his trot. Pull him into a walk,
and then start him into the other paces. A good canterer will at once
start readily and handsomely into that pace, on a signal of convention
between him and his rider. Mine is to tap the crest with the whip handle,
and press gently the curb rein. I also use the word stop, to stop the
canterer, which if a short and united goer, receives no damage from

dropping

207

dropping instantly into the flili stop. The sudden stop at full speed,
either gallopping or trotting, should never be practised, indeed never
can, without danger, but by the military and managed Horse. There
is a kind of private manege, which may be practised between the rider
and his Horse, a^ hich is extremely pleasant, convenient, and conducive
to safety. It proves an every-day example of the extensive docility, and
strong powers of mind in the Horse, endowments, in truth, nothing short
of reason. Here is an ample field for the man who rides for exercise and
health : and let not such a rider say, that there is no variety or amuse-
ment in an exercise which may extend to perfecting his own horseman-
ship, and the mouth, paces, disposition, and condition, of his Horse; and
let the miserable victims of nervous debility, examine this important and
sadly neglected truth to the bottom; that had they millions to spare
for doctor's fees, the whole materia inedica would fail to procure them
that benefit, which they are sure to experience from the external air
and the Horse.

To take a leap on horseback with safety, depends entirely on prac-
tice ; nevertheless, there are a few general rules, which should always be
present to the mind of the horseman. He must conquer fear, and at the
same time acquire circumspection. His eye must devour the objecis
before him, and not be closed, as I have actually known the eyes of
some riders to be, during a leap. However unpractised your Horse
may be, if you determine he should leap, the execution must be left
entirely to his discretion, and you must never check or pull him, holding
the bit perfectly light in his mouth, and giving his neck the most am-
ple liberty, unless, indeed on his landing on the other side, Avhen he
may need support. Hold your bridle-hand loose, grasp the Horse firm-
ly with your legs and thighs, the toe being up and outward, your back
inward, and your neck stead3% As the Horse rises, meet his crest with
your body, most carefully observing, not to bear on the bridle, which
might pull him backward. The instant his fore quarters descend, and
his hinder ascend, keep time with him in your appropriate, but oppo-
site motion, and throw your body sufficiently backward, to be found in
your seat at the conclusion of the leap. The leap depends on freedom
from all support of the bridle or stirrups; on the firm grasp of the legs

and

COS

and thighs; on the due and instantaneous ])eiTormance of the alternate
motions, forward and backward ; and on the preservation of the equi-
libr'nim.

In the fl3'ing leap, the chief object is to maintain firm hold with your
legs and thighs, and to lean sufficiently backward the instant you feel
tlie spring, remaining in that position, until the Horse has fairly landed
with his hinder feet ; unless you are most careful in this respect, you may
possibly land with or before him. As to taking high and dangerous
Jeaps, and with raw, hot, or unpractised Horses, I shall only say for
myself, that I beg to be excused. I shall not attempt to quench the
spirit in others; should they break a limb or a neck, it is their affair.
There should be some men qualified by nature to mount the breach.

The shy, RESTiiF, and vk ious Horse. With the shy Horse there is
no remedy but patience and holding him hard in hand, and forcing him
to go straight on about his business. The remedy of correction is worse
than the disease. It is not always useful, and often foolish, to force the
Horse up to the object, about which, perhaps, in truth, he cares as little
as yourself, only some devil has put it into his head, to be frolicsome or
knavish ; and should it be real fear, you had better make him pass de-
liberately and slowly, and accustom him to the sight of a variety of ob-
jects at home.

Horses may be naturally vicious, or unquiet and restiff from defec-
tive management in their youth, or acquired ill habits. It is a poor de-
pendence, to suppose, that a naturally vicious Horse is conquered and
formed — naturam expe lias f urea ? He may be temporarily subdued, but
his intractable humour will return with the first apt occasion, and one
most profitable occasion is, being mounted by an inferior horseman,
which a beast of this description recognizes instinctively, and almost im-
mediately. The eyes of this species generally unmask them. I shall cut
this subject short, as I generally ha\ e not any connection with them. In
the mean time, why does au}' man who values his lite and limbs, and
those of his family and servants, keep any Horse which is not quiet and
obedient? When I hear of this geatleman's Horse throwing him, and of
another's curricle being run-away with by the Horses, broken to shatters,
and himself and his lady thrown out and dangerously hurt, whilst I

commiserate

209

commiserate their misfortune, I cannot help condemning the want of re-
flection, and care in their choice. Give me tliehack, that if I have the ill
accident to fall from him, will instantly stop, and putting his nose down to
me, will seem to say, " What is the matter r— get up again :" and the Har-
ness-horse, that in case of breaking the reins, traces, orthe fixing of a gad-
fly upon him, instead of plunging, kicking, or running away, will imme-
diately stop, bear the inconvenience with patience, call out to me, to have
the grievance removed, and stand quietly whilst it is removing, I do not
pretend, that Horses like these are plentiful, and to be met with every
day ; but such I have possessed, and I loved them as myself

A Horse naturally quiet and obedient, will never be restiflf with what-
ever rider, and under whatever circumstances ; that if a Horse ever ac-
quire such habit, although he may be reformed, it shews some natural
tendency that way. Mr. Adams writes ably, and most humanely on
the management of the restiff Horse, yet there are cases where his rules
•will not avail, and where the utmost severity of the Avhip and spur is
necessary. His rule is, when the Horse turns, to pull him round on the
same hand, which is most certainly right, but by no means decisive,
since the Horse will suffer a repetition of this to the end of the chapter.

Another rule very necessary to be uppermost in the rider's mind, is,
when a restiff" Horse sidles to any object, turn his head to it, and
back him from it. I, however, failed in the execution of this manoeuvre,
as I once rode through Witham, in Essex. The Horse having a very
hard mouth, and a stiff; heavy, powerful neck, baffled my endeavours
either to turn his head, or back him, and had got elose to an open
cellar, down the stairs of which 1 had the fairest opportunity of plung-
ing, Horse and all, but for the timely interposition of a boy. In all
cases of a Horse kicking or plunging, the rider must retain a firm hold
of the saddle, attend circumspectly to his balance, and to the possible
necessity of dismounting, or clearing himself from the Horse, alwavs
pulling with great force, whilst the Horse does not rear up, to prevent
his getting down his head. In case of rearing, I think a Horse will
scarcely ever go over, if the rider has the jiresence of mind to throw
himself forward. The two cures prescribed for this vice, are, either to

2 E • dismount

210

dismount and pull the I Torse backward, or instantly to knock him down ;
measures, if at all eligible, in the power of very few people to put in
force. I had a four-year-old filly, by Young Traveller, which I bred ;
she Avas late, and very ill broke, and took the fancy to run back, when-
ever she saw a Horse on the road, rearing up perpendicularly, a great
number of times together. I rode her regularly every morning, and in
about a fortnight, had nearly cured her by mere dint of hard wliipping
and spurring, every time she reared, whipping her chiefly upon the
head and face. To deter Horses from lying down in the Avater, a
most nonsensical practice has been recommended by some foreign
breaker — to drop balls fastened to strings, one into each ear; again, to
break a flask of water over the head, that the water may run into the
ears. The most effectual method, I believe, is, to pull strongly at the
right-hand rein, at the same time, whipping or striking the Horse hard
upon the nose and mouth, or upon the ears, vmfair correction, sanc-
tioned only by such occasions.

Of the RUNAWAY HORSE, I have this observation to make — let no man
ride him ; let him work in a mill, where he may find boundless scope.
I write this with a syni pathetic feeling of pain in my left shoulder and
elbow joints, on which I grounded, from the back of a complete runaway,
thirty years since, and in those parts I have a (ew momentary twinges,
every time the wind takes an unfavourable direction. It is recom-
mended to pull a Horse high, that breaks away, alternately pulling and
loosening his reins, and sawing the mouth with the bit. Horses cer-
tainly may be so stopped ; but a determined runaway, with a hard
mouth and strong neck, would laugh to scorn all such attempts, from
the most powerful horseman. Others will only be flurried, and ren.
dered mad by such treatment. In the mean time, I have seen gal-
loppers, which would infallibly have broken away under rough treat-
ment, held steadily and securely, by lads of seven stone, who sat quietly
and with patience, and pulled low.

I shall conclude this branch with a few selections from the late Lord
Pembroke's method of breaking Horses, which concise treatise, might
indeed, with much proj)riety, be styled. The Common Sense of Horse-
manship, for the head of the noble Earl seems to have been so reple-
nished

211

nished with good sense and sound reasoning upon his subject, that he
had nothing extraneous to offer.

" No bits should be used till the riders are firm, and the Horses bend
well to right and left; and then always with the greatest care and gentle-
ness. Note always, that I have in view, a military school, and conse-
quently, on account of its necessary hurry, and number of scholars, both
men and Horses are not the most exact and delicate ; the nature of it will
not admit of their being so. The silly custom of using strong bits, is,
in all good schools, with reason, laid aside, as it should be, likewise, in
military riding. They serve to harden, as much the hand of the rider,
as the mouth of the Horse, both which becoming, every day, more and
more insensible together, nothing can be expected but a most unfeel--
ing callousness, both in one and the other. Some Horses, when the bit
is first put into their mouths, if great care be not taken, will put their
heads very low. With such, raise your right hand, with the bridoon in
it, and play at the same time, with the bit in the left hand, giving and
taking. A strong bit, indeed, will flatter an ignorant hand just at first;
but it will never any other, nor even an ignorant one, for any time toge-
ther, for the Horse's mouth will soon grow callous to it, and unfeeling,
and the hand the same.

" Nothing is more ungraceful in itself, more detrimental to a man's
seat, or more destructive to the sensibility of a Horse's sides, than a con-
tinual wriggling unsettledness in a Horseman's legs, which prevents the
Horse from ever going a moment together true, steady, or determined.
It is impossible, on the whole, for a man to be too firm, settled, and
gentle.

" A Horse should never be turned, without first moving a step for-
ward.

" The common method that is used of forcing a Horse sideways, is
a most glaring absurdity, and very hurtfiil to the animal in its conse-
quences ; for instead of suppling him, it obliges him to stiffen and de-
fend himself, and oflen makes a creature, that is naturally benevolent,
a restiff, frightened, and vicious man-hater for ever.

" Horsesshould be accustomed to swim, which often may be necessary
on service; and if the men and Horses both are not used to it, both may

2 e2 be

212

be frequently liable to perish in the water. A very small portion of
strength is sufficient to guide a Horse any where indeed, but particu-
larly in the water, where they must be permitted to have their heads,
and to be no ways constrained in any shape.

" If Horses refuse to back, and stand motionless, the rider's legs must
be approached with the greatest gentleness to the Horse's sides ; at the
same time as the hand is acting in the reins, to solicit the Horse's
backing. This seldom fails of procuring the desired effect, by raising
one of the Horse's fore-legs, which being in the air, has no weight
ii|)on it, and is consequently very easily brought backward, by a small
degree of tension in the reins."

SECTION"

213

SECTION xvir.

ORIGIN AND CONSEQUENCES OF HORSE-RACING — UNSUBSTANTIAL ARGU-
MENTS AGAINST ITS CONTINUANCE GAMES OF CHANCE INTIMATELY

CONNECTED WITH THE TURF — CRUELTV NOT NECESSARY TO HORSE-
RACING — PLACES WHERE CELEBRATED GREATLY INCREASED IN IRE-

L^YND THE TURF IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES PUBLICATIONS AND RULES

IN HORSE-RACING THE JOCKEY-CLUB — TATTERSAL's.

I HAVE already, in the history of the Horse, deduced the origin
of horse-racing from the Olympic games of ancient Greece, stating the
particulars of difference between the ancient and modern practices, with
the use and progress of a regular racing system in this country. This
has gradually increased with our increasing national wealth and prospe-
rity, to which indeed, it has, in no small degree, contributed, by the
improvement of our breed of Horses, to a height of excellence hitherto
imattained in any other part of the world.

It has, at every period, been fashionable with that class of moralists,
which is more rigid than correct, to draw arguments from the abuse,
against the use of horse-racing ; and as a powerful auxiliary, they have,
of late years, advanced the position, that our breed of Horses having re-
ceived all tliat improvement of which it is susceptible from the Blood-
horse, the farther propagation of the latter, is not only useless, but abso-
lutely harmful, as tending to a diminution of the size and strength, in
consequence, to the general degeneration of the English breed. But
neither our liberal moralists, nor our breeders of Horses, have hitherto
appeared disposed to coincide with those logicians, whence horse-racing,
instead of being laid aside, is, at the present moment, a diversion equally
in favour with the people, as at any former period, and upon a far more
extensive scale ; and racing.blood more than ever diffused in the breed

of English Horses» _

^ But

^14

But the use which inexperienced persons propose to derive from the
racing breed, would soon destroy itself. They would have horse-racing
abolished, and the Horses applied generally as stallions. In racing, the
necessity for thorough blood is obvious and imperatiAe, and such is a
sure ground of its preservation. No such necessity exists, or is supposed
to exist, of purity of blood for common purposes, whence, on the pro-
posed plan, it is most probable that glorious and matchless species,
the thorough-bred courser, would, in no great length of time, become
extinct in this country, and his place be supplied by a gross, ill-shaped,
or spider-legged mongrel, which would ensure the degeneration of the
whole race. Nor would constant importations from the south avail
US, since the desired perfections must be obtained from the remote and
skilfully improved, seldom from the immediate descendants of the
southern Horse.

On the connection of games of chance with the horse-course, it is
perfectly useless to declaim, since they are a natural concomitant, in-
dissolubly blended with a sport, which seems destined to interest the
passions of a portion of the higher classes. In fact, to take away from
the turf its pecuniary interest, were that possible, would be to deprive
it of one of its greatest attractions, and most powerful spurs to emula-
tion. All that seems practicable, as in other cases of legitimate gratifi-
cation, is temperately to enjoin caution, and depreciate excess. As to
those, who Avill take the desperate leap, their luck, good or bad, be upon
their own head. But however peculiar the sports of the turf are to this
country, the business of training Race-horses, or the practice of wager-
ing upon their success, have never been, in any degree, prevalent among
the people, who, although generally attached to the sport, are content
to be mere spectators. Turf concerns have, indeed, always been con-
lined to a minority, even of the upper ranks. Our common declaimers
against the cruelty of the turf, and of horse-matches, are generally well-
meaning, but ignorant, even of what themselves would desire. Not
that cruelties, and gross ones, have not, and do not, exist, in horse-
racing, but that they are not necessarily linked thereto, and that when
they do occur, they are to be attributed to ignorance and vice, which
tarnish and disgrace that which is in itself a fair and noble sport. The

barbarities

215

barbarities at this hour committed upon Horses in the common business
of life, are a thousand-fold greater than any which ever took place upon
the course, in the most barbarous times, and yet those pass unheeded by
many who are the loudest in decrying the cruelty of horse-matching.
If Thames-street, the post-roads, and the theatre of the labours of those
exquisive objects of misery, worn-out Horses sold to slaughter, could be
reformed, we might very well compromise our feelings and our solici-
tude on the score of trotting and galloping matches.

By a reference to the Racing Calendar, it appears, that horses-races
are held annually, or oftener, at about four-score different places in
England, exclusive of Newmarket, where are seven annual meetings,
namely, the Craven, the First and Second Spring, the July, the First and
Second October, and the Houghton Meeting. The sport at Newmarket
generally commences on Monday, and continues until the following
Thursday, Friday, or Saturda}^, and races are determined by a single
heat ; in some respects, indeed, as matter of necessity, where so much
business is to be dispatched. There are nineteen Royal Plates givea
in England.

In Wales horse-races are annually celebrated in five different places.
In Scotland, six places enjoy that privilege; in Ireland, thirteen. There
are two Royal Plates given in Scotland, and ten in Ireland, exclusive of
a Plate of one hundred guineas, given by the Lord Lieutenant. Seven
ofthe Royal Plates are run for over the Kurragh of Kildare. In Ireland,
the number of race-courses have nearly doubled within the last thirty
years, in consequence, the breed of Running-horses must have increased.
The same may be said of Scotland and Wales, but in an inferior de-
gree; indeed, few traces now exist, of that excessive attachment to the
Horse-course, which several centuries past prevailed among the Scots.

In the United States of America, the inhabitants are sufficiently in-
clined to this sport, and have, for the space of many years, been in the
habit of importing Horses ti-om this country; but they do not yet ap-
pear to have made any progress in establishing a thorough racintr breed.
Our East and West-India colonies have either occasional i:»r regular
horse-races, but the heat of those climates must be unfriendly to the
sport. In Italy, the turf is burlesqued by races with small horses in the

street*

216

street, without riders; and this folly is attended with a degree of cru-
elty ; bats stuck full with sharp goads, being attached to the rump of
the animals, which suffer constant strokes of the goad from their mo-
tion. The noblesse of France, before the revolution, shewed a strong
inclination to introduce the sports of the turf into their country, and
to raise a breed of Race-horses, from English stock; something of this
kind has occasionally appeared since, but without any sort of demon,
stration that the subject is at all understood there. Jockeyship is not
among the sciences to be acquired in Veterinary schools and colleges.
Nor do the French seem, hitherto, notwithstanding the great encou-
ragement held out by their government, to have worked any consider-
able improvement in their breed of Horses, since we are informed, that,
at a late prize-show, few or none could be found, out of a great number
of colts, worthy of a premium. It remains to be seen, Avhat effect may
be produced by the revival of French Horse-coursing, over the Champ
de Mars, where fiftj'-pound plates were to be run for, in October of the
present year, 1807. At any rate, the Parisian youth of fashion seem
to evince such a taste, by exercising their nags twice a day, in light
saddles, aVA7iglaise, single bridles of the most simple form, and in Ash-
ley's boots, who is not only employed by the Emperor, but also the
crack-boot maker of Paris. Let us hail this symptom of returning pas-
sion in the French, for a British sport.

With respect to that peculiar species of the Horse, which is the sub-
ject of the present section, the thorough-bred racer, he is to be found
indigenous in no part of the European continent, excepting the British
islands ; and with respect to the famous breeds of Asia and Africa, they
can scarcely, in their original state, be deemed racers, although their
immediate descendants, nurtured in a foreign land, prove such.

The fieople of this countrj^ in general, it has been observed, do not
possess much information respecting the business of the turf, in fact, few
persons attend the Newmarket meetings, excepting the sporting gentle-
men, and their attendants ; it may be therefore necessary to state the
following parti(;ulars, for the use of the curious, and of foreigners, who,
on the return of that greatest of all blessings, Peace, may honour these
pages with their attention, and the British Turf with their presence.

A very

217

A very correct detailed account of racing transactions, com prising dates
ofthe races in Great Britain and Ireland, and occasionally abroad, num-
bers and descriptions ofthe Horses, names of the proprietors, value of
the prizes, rate of betting, account of stallions advertised to cover, and
of Horses to be sold, has been annually published, for almost a century
past, in the Racing Calendar. To this Calendar, published by Messrs.
Weatherby, Oxendon-Street, London, any person may become a sub-
scriber, on which he will receive to his address, a monthly account of
all races during the season, and at the conclusion of each, a handsome
bound volume, with his name in the list of subscribers. Mr, Pick also
publishes a similar annual volume, at York.

The Racing Calendar contains beside, an abstract of acts of parlia-
ment, relative to horse-racing — duty on Horses — king's plate articles,
and form of a certificate of a king's plate won — table of weights to be
carried by Horses which run for a give-and-take plate — rules and orders
ofthe Jockey Club — rules concerning horse- racing in general, with a
description of a post and handy-cap match — the colours worn by the
riders of the chief sporting gentlemen, and an account of the various
courses at Newmarket, with their exact lengths; these are about twenty
in number; th.eir lengths, Irom two furlongs, one hundred forty-seven
yards, the yearling course, to four miles, one furlong, one hundred
thirty-eight yards, the famous BEACON COURSE, the longest now in use
at Newmarket, the grand test of" stoutness or game in Horses, and
upon which, none on earth, but the British or Irish Horse, can shew
his head.

According to the usage of the turfj Horses take their ages from
May-day. Two hundred and forty yards make a distance ; that is to say,
a Horse such a distance behind the winners, is excluded in the case of
heats. Four inches make a hand ; fourteen pounds the stone, horse-
man's weight.

The particular concerns of races are transacted by stewards, gentle-
men elected to that office, and by clerks of the course ; the general bu-
siness ofthe turf is superintended by the Jockey Club, by which all
sporting regulations are made, and all disputes finally decided. This
club holds its chief meetings at Newmarket, the great metropolis ofthe

2 F course.

218

course. It has always consisted of men of the most exalted rank in
this country, and their connections and associates, none other ever find-
ing admission. The Jockey Club, as a public body, has ever main-
tained the highest character for honour and impartiality of decision,
which, indeed, their elevated rank in life ought to imply.

Much useful information, in respect to betting and matching, will be
found in the volume of the Racing Calendar. The general rendezvous
for betting upon the various races, is at the Subscription Room, at Tat-
tersal's Repository, Hyde-Park-Corner. On some particular occasions,
the sporting circle has been widely extended, and almost the public it-
self interested : the two most prominent instances of this kind, within
my memory, were the far-famed match of Laburnum and Fleacatcher,
almost thirty years since, and that of Diamond and Hambletonian, a
few years past. On each of those races, immense sums were betted in
London.

SECTION

219

SECTION XVIII.

BREEDING FOR THE TURF OLD AND N E\\ BLOOD THE CKITISII RACER THE

MOST USEFUL SPECIES OF THE GENUS — VULGAR ERRORS RESPECTING
ARABIAN HORSES — THE TRUE RACER CONFINED TO ENGLAND AND IRE-
LAND ANECDOTE OF A GERMAN KILL-DEVIL OF MATCHEM AND BRIL-
LIANT HORSES OF THE DESERT ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF CUM-
BERLAND FORM OF AN ARABIAN PEDIGREE THE ENGLISH PEDIGREE

BAY BOLTON, BONNY BLACK, AND SAMPSON — -ENGLISH PROGENITORS OF
OUR BEST MODERN RACERS DISPUTED PEDIGREE OF ECLIPSE.

IN the section of the Breeding Stud, I promised some separate con-
siderations on breeding for the turf All Horses intended for this pur-
pose, it is well known must be thorough-bred ; in plain terms, both
their sires and dams must be of the purest blood of the Asiatic or
African coursers exclusively, and this must be attested in an authentic
pedigree, throughout whatever number of English descents. The ac-
cidental deviations, or exceptions to this general rule, will appear in the
sequel. The greater, indeed, the number, or the older the pedigree,
the more valuable, since, as has been already explained, we have had
no southern Horses imported of late years, in any degree comparable
to certain famous individuals of former times. Pedigrees extend as far
back as the Helmsley Turk, belonging to the Duke of Buckingham;
the Morocco Barb, of the Lord General Fairfax; the Lay ton Barb, and
the White Turk of Oliver Cromwell, or his stud-groom, Richard Place,
but no farther. Subsequently to the time of Flying Childers, the breed
becoming more numerous, the pedigrees are regular and full. These,
with a great variety of anecdotes, respecting turf concerns, and the
most celebrated racers, have been laboriously collected by Mr. Pick, of
York, in his Turf Register ; and in another valuable publication, inti-
tuled, rhe General Stud Book, into every page and line of which, I
have pryed, with all the ardour, and with all the enjoyment of a true
amateur.

2 F 2 The

220

The British galloper, or thorough-bred Horse, is, beyond all ques-
tion, the most useful species of the whole genus, since he is applicable
to every possible purpose of" labour, in which Horses are used. Running
Horses are often bred up to great size and bone, and did any object
lead thereto, such sizes might be multiplied to any extent, and in fact,
the species might be bred with short legs, and a broad fixed shape, b}'^
acting on the well-known axiom in breeding, like produces like. There
is no doubt, but the Race-horse, from the solidity of his bones, the close
texture of his fibres, and the bulk and substance of his tendons, is pro-
portionally, the strongest of all Horses, and able to carry the highest
weights, and to endure the greatest stress upon his bodily powers. His
superior speed and endurance originate in the superior ductility and
elasticity of his muscular fibres. His pliable sinews are susceptible in the
first degree of the manoeuvres of the riding-school, and we find that the
highest dressed Horses of Europe have always more or less southern
blood. There are racers calculated also for war, hunting, the road, or
quick draught, and even for the laborious services of the waggon and the
plough. I state this fact without the smallest view of denying the indu-
bitable merits, or decrying the services, of our excellent common breeds,
imbrued, as they universally are, in various degrees, with racing blood;
with the exception, however, of common Cart-horses, three |)arts at
least of which, I am thoroughly convinced, might be most advanta-
geously superseded by our active varieties of oxen.

On a reference to what has been said, respecting the new blood, or
the lately-imported foreign Horses, it proves to be far the safest, and-
most eligible plan, for a sportsman to breed from English stallions and
mares, and those particularly which possess most of the blood of the
Darley and Godolphin Arabians. It is here necessary to resume the
subject of foreign Horses, (see page 64) and to attempt a farther eluci-
dation, in which I can at least contradict from experience, certain Aadgar
errors, if the same mean should fail me in the removal of other manifest
difficulties.

In books of travels we perpetually meet with the superior and
unequalled speed of the Arabian and Barbary Horses, and of their
striding until their bellies seem to touch the ground. This was indis

putable

221

putable in former da5's, previously to the English improvement of the'
southern Horse, but it has been out of date full two hundred years, and
is at present nonsense. No Arab or Barb, comparatively, has either
speed or continuance, a circumstance now so well known upon the
turf, that they are never deemed worth a trial, excepting, perhaps, for
a hack match, but are invariably applied to common purposes, or those
of the breeding stud. Some thirty or Ibrty years past, a plate was given
at Newmarket, to be run for by Arabians, but I believe soon discon-
tinued. The best of all of them was their speed, and that was suffi-
ciently moderate. They usually, I understand, made a burst, and then
stopped short. In fact, the form of going in most of the native southern
Horses that 1 have seen, is rather a scampering activity, than that reach-
ing and energetic speed, which covers and rids of so much ground ;
there may be, perhaps, some exceptions, with respect to Barbs in par-
ticular, which are occasionally striders, but then they are slow.

The total inability to race, in the highest bred southern Horses, and
that the same faculty should be conlmed, exclusively, to the descendants
immediate or remote, indifferently, of that breed, surely form a curious
physical question ; 1 shall not attempt to solve the difficulty, only to
slate the iacts. It has proved, I believed, that in the races at Calcutta,
the imported English Horses were invariably superior, and doubtless
such would be the case in Arabia itself Many of the southern Horses -
have naturally lofty action, as if they had been managed, a form the
most opposite possible to that of the racer. Are we to determine that
superior size and strength derived from the rich soil of this country,
impart that superiority of speed and continuance to the descendants of
the southern Horses ? We know this to be true, in part, by the greater
value of the old blood ; yet we have had galloways, bred from native
Arabians, or Barbs, both sire and dam, which have proved racers.

This phenomenon, the improvement of the speed and continuance of
the native courser of the southern deserts, has not taken place upon the
continent of Europe, although he was first imported thither ; merely, I
suppose, for want of a motive thereto. Such being the case, the southern
breed has not been kept apart upon the continent, as with us, excepting,
for a fiew years, whilst racing prevailed in France, and where the imme-
diate

*.

9fl1

diate descendants of English stock, raced fairly. These facts appear to
ciemonstrate how and why, the Race-horse has been confined exclusively
to this country.

Nevertheless, they are, or rather have been, accustomed to keep
running Horses, such as they were, in some parts of Germany, as the
following anecdote will shew, which was related to me by the late Ro-
bert Bloss, training-groom of Epsom. Many years since, Bloss attend-
ing a Horse at Aylesbury, was informed of a Kill-devil foreign racer,
belonging to a German baron, that having distanced all the Horses in
his own country, was sent over, on the happy speculation of his beating
all England. He was entered to run for the fifty-pound |)late, and the
reporters in his favour were so loud and sanguine, that the faith of the
grooms in their English Horses, actually began to be staggered. Bloss,
however, who knew something of a racer, was not, for a moment, at a
loss, when he saw the famous foreigner stripped. To complete the joke,
the Horse was jockied by a man from his own country, who rode with
'^ a whip having a thong, and a sharp spike at the extremity ; every body
saw this Horse and jockey start, but very few where or how he came
in. He was lost, long before two miles out of four were run over. By
the description, I supposed this Horse to have been a Hungarian.

Bloss, at the same time, related to me, how he won his little money upon
Brilliant. He rode Brilliant exercise, when that Horse and Matchem
met at Newmarket. Being out with his Horse very early one morning,
he heard another brushing along very fast behind him. He waited ;
it proved to be Matchem, and loosing his own Horse, he found he could
outfoot Matchem with considerable ease. Whether this rencontre was
really accidental, or a contrived accident between young Yorkshire and
Young Norfolk, I submit to the decision of the honourable fraternity of
racing grooms.

We must proceed on the hypothesis, since we can discover no other
so well grounded in experience and fact, that the wild Horses of the
deserts and mountains of Arabia and Barbary are the originals from
which our purest and best racing blood has proceeded, thence such
is our object, should any necessity appear of farther importation, of
which, indeed, there is no present sign. But by what tokens are we

previously

223

previously to ascertain the genuineness of these? One of the most sure,
is to know that the Horses really were bred in those countries, but as the
Arabians have also two inferior breeds, our generally-received ideas of
form, Avill be indispensable auxiliaries. I have described the character-
istic form of the courser, in speaking of the Arabian ; such form we
should find in perfection, in the true mountain and desert Horse. Per-
haps the most certain indications of blood, may be gathered from the ^
head and the feet. When the former is full of symmetry, and attached
to the neck with a considerable curve, and the latter, in the highest de-
gree, line and deer-like, the nag is, in all probability, thorougli-bred. A
considerable, often even a trifling dash of inferior blood, will impart a
coarseness to both head and feet.

In the early period of racing, the necessity which existed for breeding
from foreign stock, is obvious, but it seems to have been continued long
beyond the necessit)^ and with far greater success, than has been expe-
rienced in modern times. The uncertainty of determining the real
breed of a Horse from the name assigned to him, has been adverted to;
some have been called Arabians and Barbs, or Arabians and Turks,
alternately. It is probable, then, that those purchased in Turkey, have
been of the former breeds, or have proceeded from them. Whether
this may have been the case with the various Persian Horses imported,
one or two of which have got racers, is uncertain. The dam of the fa-
mous Bonny Black, in the reign of George I. was called a Persian. There
is no doubt, but the old Spanish and Portuguese blood Horses, with
most of those bred in the islands of the Mediterranean, were derived
from Barbs ; as were also, in the opinion of Dr. Bracken, the Turkish
coursers. These last, however, are generally of larger size, and some-
what different from the true Barb, granting that race to be their basis.

As to posterior, or actual proofs of true blood, in a foreign Horse or
Mare, the best, doubtless, is, that their immediate produce can run in a
high form, as those of the Byerley Turk, Darley, Alcock, and Godolphin
Arabians, and some few others; and }eta failure in such respect, is not
decisive against the individual, since stallions, the best bred, in number-
less instances, have iai led to get good racers, and since so many of the
best bred English Horses have been unable to race.

It

m

224

It is a prevalent idea at present, upon the turf, that the disadvantas^e
inbreedino; from the Arabians imported, is, that their running does not
appear xmtil after a groat lengih of time, and in their remote descend-
ants. But that is scarcely correct ; at least, it is not the whole truth. It
is equally true, that mo.st of these Arabians, as they are called, are of
a mixed breed, whence it requires many dips in our thorough blood,
before their bastard blood can be absorbed and lost. We should pro-
bably have a better chance in breeding from our own three-part and
seven-eiglith bred stock, as it is possible that a racer might be produced
from the remote descendants of a Cart-horse or mare. On the subject
of there being an inferior breed of Horses in Arabia, as well as the true
breed, I was lately favoured by Sir Charles Bunbury, with the following
shrewd remark of an old groom of the Duke of Cumberland, uncle to
his [)resent Majesty.

The Duke, who was warmly attached to the turf, had a favourite
colt, which was got by an Arabian. Being solicitous about this colt,
whilst in training. His Royal Highness oftea asked the groom concern-
ing his improvement, but this honest servant could never be tempted by
the desire of pleasing his master, to give a favourable account. 'And

* please your Royal Highness, (said the old man) I don't like this colt's

* form of going, and 1 have no opinion of him ;' ' Poh ! Poh ! (said the
' Duke) what signifies talking at that rate, he must be thorough bred,

* you know, as he was got by an Arabian.' To this the old man replied,
with a half smile, ' What, then, and please your Royal Highness, they

* have no Cart-horses in Arabia.'

In my former work, I proposed the expedient of sending an agent,
practically qualified, into Arabia or Barbagy, as the most probable to
obtain really valuable breeding stock for the turf I was not then
aware, that such plan had been already adopted, and put in execution,
by the late Earl of Northumberland, and that Mr. Bell, also, had
taken the pains to send into the country, expressly on purpose for the
selection and purchase of his Arabian. These Arabians were purchased,
as was that of Mr. Darley, in the deserts bordering on Egypt. The
Northumberland brown, or Leeds Arabian was bred in the Southern, or
Arabia Felix. This is, doubtless, the best mode to ascertain the true

breed.

225

breed, and to avoid the spurious crosses of the bordering countries, and-.
the person employed being a real judge, a point of the first conse-
quence, the finest and most appropriate forms, as well as the highest,
blood, might be so procured.

Hereafter follows an Arabian pedigree, which was hung about the
neck of the Horse. Various old pedigrees of Arabians are in print ;
this is probably the latest, the Horse being brought from Egypt with
our troops, a few years since, by Colonel Ainsley : —

" In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate, and of Seed
Mahommed, Agent of the High God, and of the Companions of Ma-
hommed and of Jerusalem. Praised be the Lord, the Omnipotent
Creator. This is a high-bred Horse, and its colfs-tooth is here in a
bag, hung about his neck, with his pedigree, and of undoubted autho-
rity, such as no infidel can refuse to believe. He is the son of Rab-
hamy, out of the dam Lahahdadah, and equal in poMcr to his sire, of the
tribe of Zazahalah ; he is finely moulded, and made for running like an
ostrich, and great in his stroke and his cover. In the honours of rela-
tionship, he reckons Zalicah, sire of Mahat, sire of Kellac, and the unique
y\lket, sire of Manassch, sire of Alsheh, father of the race down to the
famous Horse, the sire of Lahalala; and to him be ever abundance of
^reen meat, and corn, and water of life, as a reward from the tribe of
Zazahalah, for the fire of his cover ; and may a thousand branches
shade his carcase from the hyena of the tomb, from the howling wolf
of the desert, and let the tribe of Zazhalah present him with a festival
within an inclosure of walls ; and let thousands assemble at the rising
of the sun, in troops hastily, where the tribe holds up under a canopy of
oelestial signs, within the -walls, the saddle with the name and family of
the possessor. Then let them strike their hands, with a noise, incessant^
ly, and pray to God for immunit\% for the tribe of Zoab, the inspired
tribe."

This Arabian pedigree is, at all points, satisfactory in regard to form, and
the indubitable certificate ofa true-bred Horse; the only question is, how
far we may depend upon the Tom o' Nokes, or John o' Styles, who offers
his Horse for sale, in an eastern market, because, notwithstanding the flat-
tering accounts which have been published, it is sufficiently well known,

2 G that

926

ihdt the Mussulmans are fully equal at a cross, ^vitli the best of us true
Christian-Jiiig'Hsh jockies. Got b\^ Rabbainy, out of Lahalidah, is
quite sufficient. The sire and dam ai'e presumed to be known, or re-
puted thorough-bred stock : for exami)le, as if we were to say here, got
by Sorcerer, out of Eleanor. It is obvious, that whether the Horse ol-
lered for sale, be intituled to such pedigree, would be best ascertained
in the country where such Horses are bred, where their breeding is the
chief national concern, and the authenticity of the pedigrees of their pe-
culiar breed of Horses, is an ol)ject of the utmost importance to their
interest.

To speak of our English pedigrees, the subject is not always correctly
understood, even by persons practically conversant in Horses. A Horse
is seen with a shew of blood, and a pedigree with two or three names ; for
example, his sire and the sire of his dam, and perhaps his grand-dam, and
those sires all reputed racers. Yet, such is plainly not the voucher of
thorough blood, for although the sire and grandsire be bred, the
dam and grand-dam may be only half-bred ; as, got by Fergus, dam
a half-bred daughter of Jalap, grand-dam a half-bred daughter of Pilot.
A true racing pedigree requires, that every sire and dam throughout, be
of full blood, and that the last named, if not English bred, should be
Arab, Bai'k, Turk, or Persian ; the latter somewhat equivocal, although,
we find Persians in some of our best pedigrees; and the longest pedi-
o-ree, if it finish without mention or assurance, as to the mare, is not
quite satisfactory. For instance, the last stallion to be Place's white
Turk, and the mare not mentioned, it might have been a Flanders
mare. Most truly, this is rather matter of curious, than indispensable-
precision, since some of the mares in the pedigree may have proved'
themselves racers, the main point; and at any rate, the Flanders blood
would have been com[)letely washed out, in so long a course of true
blood.

1 have stated the claims of the Persian Horses, as coursers, to be equi-
vocal, have omitted those of the Spaniards, and totally rejected the Hun--
garians, in that light. But Admiral Matthews's Persian, in 17^9, was the-
sire of a winning racer, called liozinante, and perhaps half a dozen Per-
sians have been since introduced, but Avithout success. The only modern^
.• instance

instance of whicli I am apprized, of any racer of Spanish blood, is that of
Runapless, got by Dr. Bracken's Andalusian Horse, by the Doctor's
description, a real Jennet.

Notliing Can be more probable, than the very strict attention to
^jedigree was an afier improvement, and that, in the intimcy of the
racing system, any promising sontlievn Horse was trained, and even in
the phrase of these times, their bastard crosses. Such, indeed, are re-
conmiended for the course, by Markbam, Baret, and the contemporary
writers. But I think I ought to acknowledge myself in an error, in
having formerly supposed the same uncertainty to subsist so late as the-
reignof Anne. A sporting gentleman, dead some years since, thought
me wrong, in suspecting the integrity of blood in Bay Bolton and
Bonny Black. With respect to the former, I was led, or misled, by an
account subjoined to an old porU'ait of the Horse, to which I cannot
just now, have recourse ; and as to the mare, it is strange, famous as she
was, that her pedigree, if she really had one, should never have been
produced. It is only known that she was got by a Horse called Black
Hearty, a son of the Byerley Turk, his dam not named, and that her
dam was by a Persian stallion. If any dependence may be placed on
tlie jK)rtrait which remains of" her, the head, and more particularly the
feet, look suspicious. Her performances, however, were at no rate,
suspicious, but in effect, fully equal, if not superior, to any in the records
of the turf, not excepting even Childers and Echpse. Whether those
are to be attributed to the inferiority of the running cattle of that day,
or what kind of figure such a racer as Bonny Black, would have made,
when opposed to Flying Childers, or to our later capital Horses, cannot
at this distance, be determined. But I am, by no means disposed to
retract my opinion, concerning Robinson's Sampson. Not only did the-
account of the groom appear to me entitled to credit, but the internal
evidence of the Horse's having had in him across of common blood, is
sufficiently strong, by the appearance both of the Horse himself, and
of his stock; an idea in which every sportsman, I believe, who remem-
bers Engineer, Mambrino, and others, will agree with me.

But this dip of plebeian blood, however little or much it might be, can
scarcely be called a blot, even in the escutcheon of Sampson, since such

2 G 2 accidental

-t.

228

accidental crosses, although they are not recorded, must inevitably have
happened, as well in our English, as the southern breeds; and since
Sampson, at light, as well as heavy weights, beat the best bred Horses
of his day. Indeed, could we make

Former times shake hands with the latter.
And that which was before, come after,

Sampson at twenty, or perhaps fifteen stone, would have beaten, over
the course, both Flying Childers and Eel ipse, and have double-distanced
Bonny Black. When Sampson was led out at Malton, to start for his
first race, I have been told by a spectator, that the grooms made them-
selves merry with the idea, that Mr. Robinson had brought a Coach-
horse to start for the plate ; my informant represented him as a true
game Horse, and as having a great stride. Some of his stock were the
best runners of their time, and if great sums were lost by training them,
it does not appear to have been justly chargeable on the Horses. But
Sampson's blood has always been unfashionable, chieily, I believe, because
the stock ran to so large a size. We have had a considerable number of
instances in former times, of Horses seven-eighths, and even only three-
parts bred, having running in them sufficient to win fifty-pound plates
about the country.

Along acquaintance with pedigrees, and the history of the forms in

which our best Horses have run, inclined me to suppose, that our racers

derive their speed generally from the Arabs, and their stoutness and

stride from the Barbs, perhaps their length and height firom the Turks.

Our favourite, or most successful blood has been, for many years, and

is at present, chiefly that of the DarleyandGodolphin Arabians, already

so often mentioned ; the latter of them, I have little doubt, was a Barb.

The more immediate progenitors of our present stallions and brood

mares of high repute, are Eclipse and High-Flier, sons of Marske and

King Herod, with the cross of the Godolphin Arabian, through Regulus,

Blank, Cade, to Matchem and others. The general characteristic

of the produce of Marske has been speed. He was a great-grandson of

the Darley Arabian. The Herods also have shewn great speed, with

a characteristic stoutness and goodness of constitution. King Herod

descended

229

•descended tliroiigh Tartar, Partner, and Jigg, from the famous Byerley
Turk ; and from his dam Cypron, he had in him twice the Darley
Arabian, through Blaze and Ahnanzor, Partner, the grandsire of
Ilerod, was one of the finest and best bred Horses upon our national
list; his dam was the dam, sister, and grand-dam of high-formed racers.

She had two crosses of the Barb in her pedigree. A famous stream
of the Darley Arabian blood, has also flowed through Childers, to Snip
and Snap. Marske, Herod, and Snap, were all of the highest old
blood, prior to that of the Godolphin Arabian, which was blended iii
their descendants. The partiality of our breeders to the above racing
branches, is most justly founded.

I will, in this place, speak a few words on the pedigree of the re-
nowned Eclipse. It has always been taken for granted, that he was a
son of Marske, a fact, beyond the power of man to ascertain. Eclipse's
dam was covered both by Shakespeare and jNIarske, and she came to
INIarske's time, so the honour was awarded to him. If I recollect
aright, she had missed by him the previous year. But the circumstance
of a mare coming regularly to her time, determines nothing, since
they are so uncertain in that respect, in which I have repeatedly
known variations from a week or ten days, to two or three weeks.
Great stress was laid upon the supposed likeness of Basilius, one of the
earliest sons of Eclipse, to old Marske, and indeed the resemblance
appeared to me strong; but I could discover no common family-re-
semblance between Eclipse and his presumed full-brother Garrick. On
the other hand, I think Eclipse strongly resembled the ftimijy of Shake-
speare, in colour, in certain particulars of form, and in temper. No-
thing can be more unimportant than these speculations, and Eclipse's
pedigree would suffer no loss of honour or credit, should Shakespeare be
jilaced at the head of it; which Horse had more of the Darley Arabian
in him, than INIarske, and in all respects, was equally well-bred, and
full as good a runner. Shakespeare, like Marske, was a great-grandson
of the Darley Arabian, through Hobgoblin and Aleppo, and his dam
the little Harteley mare; the dam also of Blank, was a grand-daughter
of the same Arabian, and out of the famous Flying Whig. One or

two

230

two of the sons of Eclipse, yet alive, appear to me strongly to resemble
the Shakespeare.

It is necessary, however, to subjoin the late intelligence on this sul>
ject,with which I have been favoured by Mr. Sandiver, of Newmarket,
which goes to assert, on the authority of the stud-groom, that Eclipse's
dam really never was covered by Shakespeare. i)n this I can only
observe, that in the year 1778, I was fi"equently in the habit of visiting
Old Eclipse, then at Epsom, on which occasions 1 often discoursed the
subject of the disputed pedigree, with Colonel O'Kelly's then groom,
who assured me that the mare was covered by Shakespeare, which ac-
couat I also had from various other persons, as a well-known fact. And
to conceal nothing, it had been reported, that a groom had been bribed
to ascribe the get of Eclipse to Marske, there being' a strong interest in
the reputation of that stallion. I have no doubt, but j\Ir. Vauxhall
Clarke will recollect th.is report. The reader will observe in the annexed
plate, the two Horses together, and will judge for himself, as far as re-
semblance may be supposed to determine. Both Horses are shewn in
a racing condition, but Shakespeare, why, I know not, appears full of
flesh, and in such state, was much resembled by Eclipse, whilst that
Horse was in his loose stable as a stallion.

SECTION

231

SECTION XIX.

CROSSING.

CROSSING, or intermixing the blood of different racing breeds,
has ever prevailed upon the tiirf; Init from what has been said, it will
be understood, that such crosses must still be ever within the pale
of the southern, or racing species; and not, as it has often been sup-
posed, that racers have been produced by crossing the southern with
our own indigenous breed. Crossing is a rational practice, Avhen
adopted with the view of an interchange of requisite qualifications, ex-
ternal or internal. Such as the union of speed and stoutness, slender-
ness and substance, short and long, shapes. Independently of these
considerations, which, indeed, I believe, have seldom weighed much in
practice, some benefit may be derived from the usual crosses, since dif-
ferent breeds are likely to differ in qualities. Thus our jockies have al-
ways deemed the elder blood a proper cross for that of the Godolphin
Arabian ; and it must doubtless be a good cross, to intermix the Arab,
and Barb, or those varieties which reciprocally partake most of both ;
nevertheless, an adherence to the practice cannot be held indispensably
necessary, on any sound theory : nor need any disadvantage be appre-
hended from coupling Morses and Mares of the same breed or family,
even the nearest relatives, upon the principles above and hereafter laid
down. I have often heard of, and indeed seen, miserably leggy and
spindled stock, resulting from such a course, but other very visible causes
existed for the result. According to the adage, " Like produces like,"
Ave ought to follow form and qualification ; and if a brother and sister,
or a lather and daughter, excel in those respects, all others within our
reach, we may enjoin them with good expectations, lor ought I know,
to the end of the chapter; and the |)rejudicc(l fearof adopting this prac-
tice, has often led our breeders into the error of adopting an inferior
form, from the presumed necessity of a cro&s. Nature, in her course,

will .

will spontaneously produce variety. Such practice is common with
our cattle breeders. The Horse called Jig of Jigs, in the same year
with Sampson, was got by Jig out of his own (Jig's) dam, and tbe sire
was but tliree years old, and had not been trained at tbe time of the
cover. lie was afterwards a good Plate-horse, covering mares in the
spring of each year of his running. Jig of Jigs proved likewise a win-
ning racer. The Earl of Egremont, I am informed, has occasionally
bred in and in.

Experience teaches us to hold, that like produces like, and, est in
equk patrumvirtua, the virtue of his progenitors descejids to the Horse;
but it would be unreasonable in this particular case, to look for an ex-
emption from tbose fortuitous exceptions, which ever attend general
rules. Let us rebearse some of the difficulties, under which we are
placed by these variations of nature, from her general course. The
produce of the truest, best-bred, and best-shaped racers, will often be in^
leriorin form and qualifications, and even totally wortbless. Of two
full brothers, one shall be a capital runner, the other, unable to race. A
Horse shall be a capital racer, yet quite worthless as a stallion; another,
although unable to race himself, shall get the highest-formed racers j
the same of mares. Examples of these facts are without end. Snip
and Blank were poor racers, although the former is said to have been
thorough-shaped, yet they have proved their title to rank amongst our
most capital stallions. On the other hand, Gimcrack, Shark, Dam,
and many others, although true and successful runners, never i)aid their
way as stallions.

But to fill up the measure of our perplexities in this case, a true-bred
and thorough-shaped Horse shall have the best mares put to him, and
in a course of years, shall not get a nag good enough to win a leather
plate ; when, all on a sudden, for it seems, there is as well a tide in the
affairs of Horses, as of men, the same Horse shall produce a racer, to
challenge for, and win the whip over Newmarket. Numerous are the
instances of this kind. That of the Godolphin Arabian has been already
recited ; that famous stallion had been a mere cast-away, and was used
as a teazer. The afterwards so highly celebrated Marske, was in so low
repute, during his early years, as a stallion, that I have been credibly

informed,

S33

informed, there was plenty of galloways and ponies of his get, running
about Windsor forest, the covering fee for Avhich did not exceed half-a-
guinea; yet Lord Abingdon advertised old Marske, in his latter days,
to cover, at two, or three hundred guineas a mare. Sprightley, although
a winner at Newmarket, was not fortunate enough to win the good
opinion of his proprietor, and was ordered from the training to the hack-
Hej'^ stable, and afterwards for sale, to the best bidder. The groom,
however, judging probably differently of him, kept the Horse on, under
the pretence of mending his condition for sale, and taking him to Ches-
ter, won a plate with him ver}'^ easily ; after which, he won a great
"number, losing his last hard-contested race, only from extreme lameness.
After being tried in vain as a stallion, until seventeen years of age,
Sprightley was sold to a miller, at Sedgfield, near Durham, for ten
guineas, where he carried the sacks, as Cadging-horse; but Pyrrhus soon
after appearing at Newmarket, the old Horse Avas in consequence re-
deemed from slavery, at the price of twelve guineas, and almost imme-
diately afterwards. Lord Bolingbroke offered five hundred for him. I
have always rather -suspected the judgment of Mr. Swinburne, than the
goodness of this Horse, whether as a racer or a stallion. He got two
good winners, Pyrrhus and Tremamondo, the latter of which I recollect
seeing take his canter at Newmarket, with the arched crest and lofty
action of a managed Horse. The boys called him the proud Horse.

Far be it from me to deny the real difficulties existing in the above
case; on the contrar}^ I have seen them apparently insuperable, of
Avhich nothing can be a more pregnant proof, than the total dissimila-
rity between full brothers. Most truly, then, as the old jockies said,
" the blood does not nick." But I must beg permission also to remark,
that very frequentl}% the breeder's judgment does not 'nick.' As in
common breeding, so in our racing studs, sufficient attention is not paid
to the form of the mare, and fashionable blood and the supposed neces-
sity of a cross, have, perhaps, generally too decided a preference to cor-
rectness of shape. I think we arrive here, at the jet of the business;
although it be by no means a certainty, yet we derive our best assur-
ance of success from a junction of the best shapes, or the greater
number of good points we can combine, both in the Horse and the

2 H mare ;

234

mare; other necessar^^ precautions not being neglected. As in all other
concerns of life, so we may in this, notwithstanding our most widely-
extended precautions, partially or totally fail of success, from the oppo-
sition of occult and inscrutable causes. But the average will be favour-
able, true form will result from the union of true form, in both sire and
dam ; and the next general result will be, that every Horse sufficiently
well-formed, and furnished in the grand points, will excel either in
speed or continuance, or will possess an advantageous mixture of
both. Blood is blood, but form is superiority.

To proceed with our difficulties, and to solve or combat with them as
we can, the power of racing in a Horse does not depend on external
conformation, but on blood, and that blood must be improved from its
original source, since the indigenous southern Horse is unable to race.
But among Horses equally well bred, superior organization, external
and internal, will produce superior speed and power. In opposition to
this, we are often told, that all shapes and makes can race ; and of the
great performances of such as are called cross-made Horses. But these
cross-made Horses are formed to deceive superficial observers. Under
a gaunt, irregular, and rugged exterior, they may possess great com-
pass and power in the parts principally conducive to action. Or by
standing over a considerable surface, they may possess the necessarv
length, which may farther be made up to them in the dimensions of
the fore-arm and thigh, whilst the impediment of an upright and ilJ'
formed shoulder, may be counter-balanced by great ductility and elas-
ticity of sinew, Avith corresponding internal, or constitutional power.
Here we have the reason why the best shaped common bred Horses
can have no chance in the race, even with the worst among the tho-
rough-bred ; lor, relatively to their own species in particular, Race-
horses are equally liable to mal-conformation, as any other species.
One never need be at a loss upon the turf, to find plenty of examples,
of the animal being built clean contrary to act of parliament, that is to
83}% with the wrong end first,- or with the upright shoulder, sickle ham,
or crooked pastern. Chifney, I think, did not look deep enough for the
degeneracy or defects in our running cattle, Avhen he attributed them

solely

235

solely to the too great labour of our stallions and mares, both on the
turf and in the stud.

In order to capital performance, a racer should have sufficient gene-
ral length ; but in the neck and legs, length should be moderate ; open
nostrils, and a loose and disembarrassed wind-pipe; high, deep, and
extensive shoulders, falling back into the waist; broad and substantial
loins or fillets, deep quarters, wider within proportion, than the shoul-
ders, that the hinder feet may be farther apart than the fore ; the curve
of the hock sufficient to give adequate support to the loins; the pasterns
to correspond with the neck and legs, in moderate length and declina-
tion, and the toes to point in a direct line. Such are the cardinal points
in a Race-horse, and as these prevail, more or less, in proportion will
be his speed or his stoutness, in other words, power of continuance.

When Bourgelat, Saintbel after liim, and some of our English sur-
geons, after Saintbel, supposed that the hinder quarters of a Horse were
more material to action than the shoulders, they demonstrated an emi-
nent want of a few practical lessons at Newmarket. Horses always go
with their shoulders. The shoulders of a Race-horse generally narrow
to a point at the top of the withers, but we have occasionally, an exam-
ple of ihe hare, or greyhound-formed shouldei-, Avhich is of considerable
width at the summit. Bracken mentions a good racer, with a shoulder
so formed, which ran with its fore legs, as wide as a barn door ; and
Eclipse in his flesh, had a shoulder upon which you might have set a
firkin of butter. When such shoulders are upright, and so they generally
are, they are great impediments to action. Another variation takes
place, and far more usually than the former, in the back or waist of the
Horse. Some are short, with the round barrel, and close approxima-
tion of the ribs and huggon bones, such defect of length being made
up in the legs and other parts. Others have their length in tlie waist,
with a considerable space between the ribs and bones. Provided strength
be supplied by the breadth and substance in the loins, and extent in the
haunches, the long shape is probably more conducive to stride and con-
tinuance, if not to ready action. The celebrated Motlier jNeesom was
a model of this form. The most perfect shape for strength and action,
consists in the union of width and depth ; width deci'easing, and depth

2 H 2 K)iiicwhat

somewhat increasing, at the shoulder, which should also recline back-
ward.

Running-horses are sometimes, if the phrase be admissible, singly
qualified, namely, distinguished exclusively, for speed or stoutness.
Thus a Horse shall be able to run well half a mile, a mile, or two miles ;
he shall be able to beat a Horse at even weights, a single mile, which
same antagonist carrying three stone, or forty-two pounds more weight
than him, would yet be able to beat him, with ease, over a four-mile
course. Again, a stout, or lasting Horse, shall be able to run through
a long course, as nearl}^ as it is possible, to the summit of his speed ; but
the degree of his speed shall be too inconsiderable for use. Nature
having been lavish of one qualification, became niggard of the other,
and Horses with far less game, will, by out-footing, conquer these slow
good Horses, in the longest race. But these extremes seldom occur, and
a stout Horse with a good stride and moderate speed, will often beat
those Horses over the course, which will canter from them in a short
race. Exclusive of great and eminent single qualities, it is more pro*-
iitable to have a racer with a well-apportioned mixture of each ; but of
the two, the Horse with ready speed, will win more money than the
stout good one. I have heard arguments in former days, at Jack Med-
ley's dinners, in support of the old notion, that all difference in the na-
ture of Horses, relative to speed and stoutness, was suppositious and chi-
merical. But what becomes of facts, in the logic of these reasoners ?

As to the paces and action of the thorough-bred Horse, it has been
ahead 3^ observed, that his strokes are too long to admit of his excelhng
in the trot : his paces are the walk and gallop, and when used upon the
road, or in the field, the canter. There is a material and usual distinc-
tion in the action of this species of the Horse ; they are sometimes
striders, and in the old phrase, daisy-cutters ; or they have a shorter and
more active stroke, bending the knee, and lifting their feet clear of the
ground. Joined with an apportionate power in the loins, activity and
throwing in of the haunches, the most extensive strides must certainly
cover the greatest quantity of ground in a given time; and Horses so
qualified have been the great conquerors on the turf, behind whom, all
their cotemporaries have been compelled by nature and fortune, to keep

a respectful

9S7

a respectful distance. Of this superior order were Flying Childers and
Eclipse, the greatest striders, as well as the swiftest animals of which
nature has hitherto exhibited an example. But great striders often
over-reach themselves; their hinder quarters do not follow with sufli-
cient energy, they loiter upon the ground, and lose time whilst cover-
ing space. Such will always be beaten by the more active Horse, with
a moderate reach : the superiority of the latter, indeed, is matter of
calculation, his greater number of strokes, in the end, covering a greater
quantity of ground in the same period of time. Daisy-cutters are those
which go with the knees so straight and extended, that they skim along
the ground, shaving the surface with their hoofs, and if they are the
truest rac,ei:s, they are ,ohyi9usly th,e least calculated for any other pur-
pose.

SECTIOX

238

SECTION XX.

BREEDING — INSTANCES OF HORSES AND MARES RACING DURING THEIR

BREEDING SEASON ABORTION FREQUENT ACCIDENTS CARE OF THE

STALLION — CHOICE OF A RACER VALID EXCEPTION TO THE CUSTOM

OF EARLY TRAINING THE MOST CONSIDERABLE BREEDERS OF RACE

HORSES TRAINING METHOD OF FORMER TIMES GREAT SUPERIORITY

OF PRESENT PRACTICE, YET NEED OF FARTHER REFORM SWEATS AND

PURGES NECESSARY THE HARDY HORSE SAMUEL CHIFNEY — EXTRACTS

FROM GENIUS GENUINE — STARVATION PLAN OF TRAINING.

IN the common course, breeding and racing are preserved as distinct
branches of the business of the turf, the stallion and mare being seldom
used for breeding, until their services as racers are at an end ; or they
commence with breeding, and thenceforth are never trained. This,
considering all circumstances, is perhaps the wisest course ; the season
of a Race-horse's perfection, with respect to speed, being very short and
fleeting, and the aged Horse being always loaded with additional
weight. This course is, however, by no means indispensable, and in
former days, more indeed than of late, was frequently broken through.
Horses covered during the season in which they raced, and many, both
Horses and mares, were not trained, until alter they had been used in
the breeding stud. Babram served thirty-thuee mares, and won many
plates during the same season. The famous Vintner mare, Molly Long-
legs, and many others, were brood mares, before they were trained.
The old squirt mare, the best breeder upon record, was never trained.
The dam of Ringoozle won a plate whilst carrying him. Pratt's Maiden,
a daughter of the Old Squirt Mare, was covered by King Herod, and
raced the same season ; the produce was the dam of the Earl of Egre-
mont's celebrated Gohanna. It is to be presumed, Mr. Pratt judged
that Maiden had not stood by the Horse, since to put a mare to such

violent

239

violent exercise as racing, is neither humane nor safe. The above prac-
tice may, however, be rendered subservient to several useful views.

Those accidents incident to breeding, may deserve repetition here,
since they assume a greater conse(|uence from the superior value of
racing stock. In looking over the occurrences of the stud book, we find
a great number of abortions, but the fatality almost invariably attendant
upon the production of twins, is striking. Respecting the first, the ut-
most preventive case is necessar3% the best methods of which I have
already pointed out. There is a two-fold reason for our solicitude ; the
value of the foal and the health of the mare, which is sometimes not
easily recovered after a slip, the mare being thenceforth more liable to
accident, and less certain in standing to the Horse. Many excel-
lent brood mares have died in bringing twins ; and the mares being-
saved, generally one, or both the foals have been lost. Those mares
which have come under my observation, afterwards producing twins,
have appeared extraordinarily big and disposed to heaviness and dozing.
On such appearance, I would put the mare by herself, if she would
remain quiet, and allow a hovel or stable, well littered, to incline her to
lie down as much as possible, giving her two feeds of corn daily, with
her green meat, Supposing she had two foals within her to nourish, I
should have little apprehension of her growing too fat. In case twins
should survive, the trouble, indeed, would be considerable in rearing
them, but to do so, and well, is practicable. The accidents to whiclv
covering stallions are liable have been noticed. They should not be
put to the mare immediately after a full feed ; Hollyhock burst the rim
of his belly in covering a mare, and died in consequence. I have
spoken of the utility of purging covering stallions, a practice too gene-
rally neglected ; full as they are fed, and often without the benefit of
exercise, their intestines are liable to be enormously stuffed . Recourse
is then, perhaps, had to blood-letting, a method the most improper, and
of the least possible use.

Having been so diffuse, or perhaps tedious, on the subject of form,
I have little to add on tlie choice of the Race-horse; both untried, I
would prefer a thorough-sliaped Horse of the worst reputed blood
upon the turf, to one of a materially inferior sha|>e, of the highest and

245

most celebrated blood. Good size is always in request, but running is the
paramount object. A sound practical judgment may be profitably exer-
cised, in the purchase of a Horse that has already appeared in public.
In the purchase of yearlings and two-year-old stock, it must be observed,
that tbeir points are not so visible, nor their general conformation so
obvious to the judgment, as when nature has fully established herself in
them. There are still certain and invariable points, in which one cannot
be mistaken : as to those parts in which action is most concerned, their
considerable extent is chiefly to be looked to in colts, position will im-
prove with age. Good hits are sometimes made by the purchase of mares
in foal. Crop's dam in foal, was purchased at less than twenty pounds,
I remember, and Crop afterwards won the colt stakes at Epsom.

Colts will always be trained early, from the natural desire of bring-
ing them as soon as possible, into use, or rather of making the disco-
very, whether they are ever likely to be useful, and to repay the very
heavy expence of their keep. There is certainly a valid exception to
this general rule. A promising, but over-grown colt or filly, from size
and weight, and insufficiency of the lower joints, may be totally unable
to stand early training. It is too often the practice, to keep on such,
although they are never sound, or well to run, and the general conse-
quence is, that such seldom or never prove winners, and are at last
turned out in training, incurably lame. Colts of this description, hav-
ing about them the promise of a capital form, should be dismissed in the
first instance, and suffered to remain at large, in the paddock, without
feeling the weight of a feather, until the spring in which they rise five
years old, when the bulk and substance of their inferior joints will have
become more in proportion to their weight, and their whole tendinous
sj^stem consolidated and firm. In this case, the old notion of not train-
ing a galloway until five years old, may be sometimes advantageously
realized ; he would then be in possession of his full powers, and if they
were considerable from nature, would exhibit them to a great, and other-
wise unattainable advantage.

The present Earl Grosvenor, I understand, is the greatest breeder of
Horses in Br. tain, as was his late noble father. The Earl of Egremont,
the Duke of Grafton, Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, the Earl of Dar-
lington,

241

lington, with various other noblernen and gentlemen, are also turf
breeders on a very extensive scale.

The training of the Uace-horse consists of walking and galloppino-
exercise, including a gallop of four or five miles, every five, seven, or
ten days, according to the constitution of the Horse. These periodical
runs are styled sweats, their purpose being to sweat away the superfluous
and increasing flesh of the Horse, a load under which, he would be
unable to exert his utmost speed and continuance. Rising grounds, and
and a dry, or sound and elastic turf, are obviously the best adapted to
this exercise. Hard, stoney, and unyielding ground, as well as the wet,
poachy, and adhesive, it is equally obvious, are most improper; exer-
cise on the one species shakes, inflames, and stiftens the joints of
Horses, shortening their strides, and cramping their action ; upon the
other, fi'om the exertion which the Horses are obliged to use at every
stroke, to disengage their feet, they are apt to over-stretch or strain their
sinews, generally about the pastern joint, or main tendon, whence their
common lamenesses, so diflicult, or rather impossible thoroughly to re-
move. This shews the consequence of making a |)roper choice of
ground, whether for exercise or for the race.

The Horses are generally exercised twice a day, in their hoods and bod}'-
clothes; in their sweats they are loaded with clothes, in order to produce
a copious discharge of perspiration. Having run their sweat, which
they perform at a considerable rate, with occasional bursts, they are, or
should be, taken into a stable or hovel, to be gradually stripped, and
scraped with that ancient implement, the wooden sword, which also
served to perform the same oflice for the high-bred coursers at the
Olympic games.

Formerly, the exercise of the Race-horse, was far more toilsome and
severe than of late years. He was purged, as though the intent had
been to bring away entrails and all, as superfluous weight! Shut up
from the light of the sun, as if it would endanger his sight, and kept in
the atmosphere of a hot-house, as if in training for the climate of
Africa, or a hotter place. From this management, aided by the weight
of his clothes, which in his sweats was enormous, he was too commonly
in a feverish, faint, and debilitated state, unknown, indeed, because he

2 I had

24^i

had not the gift of speech, nor his master those of sense and feehiig,
through any other medium, than that most deceptive one of common
custom. We read in old IMarkham, and others of that stamp, of the
Horse's " bloody courses" by Avhich, I suppose, he was rattled off his
legs, and almost out of his life; of his being sweated in the stable, that
is covered with clothes, and M^hi[)ped and pricked, that he might jump
about to excite perspiration, and of his being kept short of meat and
water, that he might be light enough to run !

The good sense of modern sportsmen has been nobly and beneficially
employed, in reforming the abusesof the old jockey-system, superseding
it by one far more moderate, and in most respects, perhaps, nearly allied
to attainable perfection. There is, nevertheless, yet room for farther
improvement in several respects, the following hints on which I take
the liberty to suggest.

I formerly ventured, from various observations, to call in question
the necessity of regular sAveats, to Avashy and irritable Horses, which, far
from shewing any superfluous flesh, appear already below their work ;
proposing that such were it to be held necessary to sweat them at all,
should have their run of four miles, at a moderate stroke, in their ordi-
nary clothes, and Avithout any additional Aveight, I farther questioned
the propriety and use of those excessive and laborious sAveats, usually
given to the hardy-constitutioned Horse, in order to deprive his bones
of that coat of flesh, Avhich he seemed constantly disposed to carry, in
spite of the greatest severity, judging the remedy far worse than the
disease, granting plumpness of muscle in the racer, could be fairly
deemed either disease or disadvantage. It would be almost impossible
for a Horse of steel, to endure Avith impunity, lo his joints and tendons,
this ratting every five or six days, Avith eight or nine stone of living, and
perhaps an equal quantitj^ of dead Aveight upon his back. But he
endures all this, and nothing sinister occurs, more properly, nothing
is observed, and he cannot tell tales of himself It happens hoAvever,
afterwards, that a sinew starts, or that a Horse is not well to run. In-
deed, it frequently happens, that a Horse, although naturally good, is
seldom Avell to run. Now 1 humbly apprehend, that the common
sinew-strains are as jjrobable to be incurred in running SAveats, with

such

243

such high weights, as in any part of the business of the Race-horse ; and
that injudicious training, and particularly the treating all Horses alike,
however dissimilar their constitutions, is tl)e chief malady of those
Horses, which are seldom well to run. It is here a very apt question,
from what cause are derived those injuries to the back sinews, to use the
language of the stable, with which all running Horses, and indeed, all
hacks and hunters, are more or less afflicted ? Not, assuredl}^ from want
of exercise. Perhaps a judicious sportsman might obtain more sound
and successful racing from less exercise. It is a speculation which well
merits attention, not indeed, from the mere practical groom, who m orks
by rule and line, and curry-comb and scrajier, but from the sportsman,
who has some running in his head, to tally with that which he finds in
his Horse.

With respect to the hardy Horse, who thrives in his exercise, and
maugre the laudable diligence of the training groom, still appears too
fat to run, I conceive there is a more certain rule of judgment than by
the eye. If such a Horse is ready and active with his legs, if, in his
sweats and brushing gallops, his bellows work clear and unembarrassed,
his apparently superfluous flesh will never make him a pound the worse,
whether in one mile or four, although I am convinced, the common
attempts to get it off, invariably do.

In lameness and the treatment of the legs and feet of Horses, I
have always acknowledged, and it is an undoubted fact, that racing-
grooms are far superior to all others ; still it is a case in wliich a supe-
rior skill is required, and it Avould be too much to expect, that our
grooms should be also sound phisiologists. There is nothing more dif-
ficult to determine, than the existence or extent of the injuries affecting
those fibres or threads, by which that wonderful piece of work the ani-
mal machine is sewn together. A Horse is suddenly let down in the
sinews, but the injury may have been of gradual access, increasing ne
cessarily with his excercise. At first, perhaps, a few muscular fibres
were strained, that is, stretched beyond their natural limit of exten-
sion, or ruptured; the parts affected become, in consecjuence, more
liable, and repetitions of the accident ensue, until the joints and tendons
are disabled. It requires a practised hand and eye, and critical ^kill, to

2 I 2 detect

'244

detect these injuries in their recent and remediable state. Tiiey are un-
known, and slighted by custom, until they forcibly make themselves
known to be incurable.

Whilst recommending moderation in sweating the Racehorse, and
indeed, a total discontinuance of the practice, in certain cases, I little
hoped that I should be listened to, or that such ideas of innovation would
ever find place or encouragement, in the minds of grooms andjockies;
and my surprize was both considerable and pleasant, to observe, in that
most extraordinary performance, the "Genius Genuine" of the late well-
known Samuel Chifiiey, that he was, in this affair, of nearly a similar
opinion with myself. If there is much extravagance and conceit in
Chifney's book, and if he refine beyond his knowledge and powers or
reflection, it must yet be conceded, that he was an excellent practical
judge of his profession, whether with respect to training or riding, and
that he has given many hints of great importance to those noblemen
and gentlemen, who venture their property in the hazardous .specula-
tions of the turf

But take the opinion of Chifney in his own words, " It is destruc-
tion to Horses to sweat them in the manner they are sweated at New-
market, as the practice there is to sweat them once in six days, and some
times oftener ; and between those days of sweatiug, it is usual lor the
Horse, to go out twice a day, each time having strong exercise. In
these sweating days the Horses are mostly covered with cloths, two
or three times doubled, and go in their sweats six miles, more or less,
and at times go tolerably fast. Directly the Horse pulls up, he is hur-
ried into the stable, which is on the spot for that purpose. As soon as
he gets in, there is often more clothes thrown upon him, in addition to
those he has been sweat in. This is done to make the Horse sweat the
more, and he stands thus for a time, panting before he is stripped for
scraping ; that with being thus worked, clothed, and stoved, it so affects
iiim at times, that he keeps breaking out in fresh sweats, that it pours
from him, when scraping, as if water had been thrown on him. Nature
cannot bear this. The Horses must dwindle.

" I think, in the first place, that the Horse has been too long at this
sort of work lor his sinews, then the clothing and stoving him, forces his

juices

245

juices from hiii], in such quantities as must destroy their spirits, streno-th,
and speed; and much clothing jades Horses. A Horse don't meet
with this destruction when he runs, for then he is hkely to be hghter in
his carcase, hghter in his feet, having plates on, not shoes, which is won-
derfully in favour of his sinews ; and lie is without cloths, and not
stoved, and his course in running is very seldom more than four miles;
therefore, this difference in sweating and running is immense.

" When a Horse pulls up from his running, he has time given him to
move gently in the air, and is usuaHy scraped out upon the turf, and by
these means, the Horse perspires no more than suits his nature.

" Horses should have different brakes against weather, to scrape in.
Buildings for this, I think, would be most proper, made after the Horse-
dealers rides in London; open in front, being out of the Aveather, and
not out of the air. Places of this sort, would be much best for Horses
to saddle in, for Horses saddling in those close, dark stables, they, at
times, break out with great perspiration, when saddling ; and in fine, in
room}' places of this sort, there would be proper room. See. for noble-
men and gentlemen sportsmen, to command a siglit of the Horses at
saddling, and Horses are less timid, being in a croud, than they are to hear
it, and not see it.

" When a Horse is first taken into work, after having had a long rest,
his carcase is then large and heavy, and the practice is to put more
clothes upon the Horse, and order him to go a longer sweat. But the
Horse, in this stage of his training, is the less able to bear more clothes,
and go farther in his sweats ; for the Horse himself being heavy, that,
with body and clothes, at times, has a great weight upon his legs ; that
with this pressure and his work heating him, it makes his sinews full
and weak ; and thus working a little too fast or too long upon his sinews
at one stretch, they are forced out of their places. This once done, the
Horse seldom stands training after.

" It is ignorant cruelty in the great number of Horses being thus un-
skilfully lamed at Newmarket, and gentlemen not only lose the use of
their Horses and their money by it, but it so greatly deprives tjiem of
their sport, that they otherwise would have."

I am tarther happy to find, that my former sentiments upon two other

very

246

very important subjects, namelj^ feeding and the allowance of water,
are sanctioned by the approbation of this man, whose practice was so
long and considerable. I was not, however, apprised, that any traces
of the starvation system yet survived. Chifney observes —

" Some few, I am informed, have a way of pinching their Race-horses,
in their meat and water. This is another certain way of perishing a
Horse in his spirits and strength. When a Horse is too large in his
carcase, he should be well fed, as Horses, I believe, for the most part of
them are at Newmarket, and instead of pinching him in his water, where
a Horse is greedy of it, he should be watered very often, and at all
times as much as he will drink ; he will then drink less, and come
straight and strong in his carcase."

SECTION

247

SECTION XXI.

TUUF CONTINUED — STABLE AND SCHOOL ECONOMISTS — REAL CHARACTER

OF ESCAPE, AS A RACER POISONING THE RACE-HORSE — INSTANCE OF

MODERN CRUELTY ON THE COURSE — ^-THE DISGUSTING BARBARITIES OF
FORMER TIMES, AND SUPERIORITY OF MODERN HUMANITY — IMPORT-
ANCE OF THE EXAMPLE OF PROPRIETORS, AND OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE
OF THE HORSE PURGING SYSTEM.

NOTHING can be more preposterous, than the idea of reducing
Horses and fitting them for the course, by abridging them of food, that na-
tural support of their bodily powers, on which all their ability depends.
Some modification of this kind, is probably within the contemplation of
those who talk of training Race-horses without purging them; but the
most rational experimental practice has fully sanctioned theruse of purges,
which beside, being judiciously prescribed, were never known to do the
smallest inj ury to a Horse. The whole injury subsists in the theory and
the practice of two parties, much upon a par for their ignorance, the one
of what they are writing or saying, the other, of what they are doing.
To feed sparingly, and work in proportion, is a plan, from which, indeed,
purging might be well excluded, as I believe would also be winning.
Here one's recollection introduces the shabby and scalt-miserable plans
of economy in feeding Horses, such great favourites with some of our
economists. I blush for the temporary share which I had in them.
He who grudges to feed his Horse amply and well, deserves not to
ride well ; and what horseman who possesses the means, would deny
himself the noble convenience and luxury of bestriding a Horse in
full vigour, and in all the glory of high and sleek condition ?

There is certainly much truth and solidity in Chifney's remarks on
the variations of performance and condition in the Running-horse,
although he has carried his ideas to an extravagant and imaginary

pitch

'248

pitch of nicety. The maximum of a Horse's speed, dependant on a
variety of circumstances, can scarcely he permanent, and he will run
variously at different times, and on different occasions. This will al-
ways render the event extremely uncertain between Horses of nearly
equal qualification. But where great difference of qualification exists,
the matter is far otherwise, and barring accidents, the event borders on
certainty. With respect to the famous racer Escape, I have always
been inclined to suspect that Chifney formed his opinion rather from
prejudice and misconception, than on what be really knew of the Horse,
and he surely ought to have known more of him than any other man.
I think the running of Escape fully confirmed the judgment of His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, that stoutness, not speed, was the
best of him : at any rate, his game was generally most to be depended
upon, although having also great speed, he occasionally proved superior
in short or waiting races.

Chifney's book, moreover, gives intelligence of an alarming nature,
such as I had supposed abhorrent to the humane and just feelings of
sportsmen of every degree in the present times. Is it credible, that of
late years, a set of miscreants have been suffered to prowl about in the
dark, and practise inhuman and infamous tricks upon the generous
Race-horse, in high |jreparation for winning, by thrusting down his
throat deleterious drugs, in the common language of the stable, " Poi-
soning him for the race." It is too notorious that such rascality was prac-
tised in former times, and scarcely possible to withhold our belief from
Chifney's assertions, as to the latter. Crude opium in balls and lau-
danum in drinks, have been named, as the s|)ecifics in these cases,
large doses of opium having the effect of paralyzing the muscular
powers, and clogging, with a drowsy and oppressive weight, the action
of the Horse. This is assassination, and fighting with poisoned shot.
It is a base fraud, of which the practiser, in turn, would become the
victim; and it highly concerns every sporting genlleman to exert him-
self to the utmost, in the bouudeu duty of extirpating from the turf, the
blackguard vermin ^^'ho crawl about, in order to pick up a living from
sut4i infernal practices,

The subject ought further to be considered, in an especial manner,

for

249

for its injustice and inhumanity to the animal, and as a branch of that
detestable and false, although unhappily not yet exploded principle,
that he may be exposed to the most unfair and cruel treatment, pro-
vided such be the demand of our pleasures or our interest. But there
is a measure of justice due from man to inferior animals, as well as from
man to man ; and in these enlightened times, no honest and reflecting
mind will be ignorant of it. Yet I regret, and am ashamed to have
read, in a public newspaper, a few years since, that some contemptible
wretches, having a nag to start, which Avas rather too high for a poney,
adopted the barbarous method of " contracting his sinews, in order to
make him sufficiently low ;" and this they dared to do, in the observa-
tion of company, both male and female, of the highest ranks.

But thanks to modern humanity, the noble and princely sport of
horse-racing is much divested of the disgusting barbarities of former
days, and this rational mildness will diffuse itself from the upper to
the lower ranks. Our races are shorter and less distressing, the pre-
vious discipline less severe and injurious, crossing and jostling races un-
frequent, and never exhibited, or ever thought of, in the disgusting
and savage style of the old times, when jockies were allowed to
whip and kick, and to attempt to unhorse each other, by entwining
their legs ! I Avell remember a fellow, a common rider for leather
plates, who was accustomed to boast of the execution he had formerly
done with the hut end of his whip, and of the eyes and teeth he had
beat out ! An excess in the use of the whip and spur in a race, will al-
ways be humanely avoided, in proportion as the'owner of the Horse re-
flects, and is a judge of the sport, and of his Horse's powers. Nothino-
can be more obvious, than that over-acted severity must counteract
its own purpose, and it is submitted to intelligent sportsmen, whether
there is not generally a too free use of the whip at the run-in. A Horse
being all abroad, may be whipped short of that point, but certainly ne-
ver beyond it ; and it may be doubted, whether something rather in
the form of encouragement, than of severitj^, be not the most probable
means to keep him there.

The sentiments and orders of the proprietors of Race-horses, will ne-
cessarily guide the conduct of jockies and grooms, in these cases, and in

2 K their

250

their general treatment of the Horse, Hence it is most desirable, in
every useful ))oint of view, that sporting gentlemen should give them-
selves the trouble of acquiring a knowledge of the nature and manage-
ment of an animal in which they have so considerable a share in the
respects, both of pleasure and profit. It must surely be an enhanced
stratification, to be able to discover, through the medium of their own
mature judgment, the solid grounds of their success, or the probabiHty
oitlieir failure. A defect of such knowledge exposes them to a double
risk, from the ignorance and unfaithfulness of their servants, and too
often to the ridiculous and galling dilemma, of being almost compelled
to retain such as are insolent, or against whose characters there may be
well-founded suspicions. Allowing all the acuteness, which has been
indeed, with much reason, ascribed to grooms and jockies, there are
niceties in the business of the turf) to the comprehension of which, a
certain culture and expansion of the mind, are absolutely necessary.
Such qualifications are plainh^ requisite to elevate men above the dic-
tates of arbitrary and established customs.

The accomplished six)rtsman then, must be well skilled in the con-
formation of the Racer, and the true and scientific method of preparing
him for the acme of his exertions, without injury to his bodily powers;
neither suffering any impediment to his wind, or his muscular action,
from too little exercise, nor risking the access of debility and stiffness of
the joints by too much ; rather, if a trifling error must be committed,
resolving, that it shall be on the former and safer side. It will not be an
easy, or very practical attempt in a servant, or in any man, to come across
a sporting gentleman thus skilled. The Horse of such a proprietor
will not be poisoned for his race, and he remain ignorant of the cause
of his misfortune. Nor will that miserable necessitj'^ exist, of a jockey
being obliged, for his reputation and his bread sake, to butcher and cut
np alive, a generous animal, to the rupture of his eye-strings and his
heart-strings, in order to achieve an impossibility. A critical judge of his
Horse's powers, knows to a length, what he is capable of performing,
and -when and where he is distressed ; and his common sense and gene-
rous feelings dictate to him, the utter inutility of abuse.

Amongst those which may be deemed objects of reform, upon the

turf;

251

turf, perhaps we ought to reckon the common system of purgation ; not
that it is, at present, carried to the excess of former times, but that
Horses are yet, often unnecessarily, and too violently purged. The
discretion of administering these doses is generally in the hands of men
who are ill qualified to reason, or form a right judgment upon such a
subject, or to question the rationality of custom, when it prescribes ar-
bitrarily in the case. Purging physic and racing, are indeed looked
upon in the light of cause and effect. The dose in this case, as gene-
rally in others, is supposed to operate by a kind of magic, about the
mode or rationality of which, the administrator neither knows or en-
quires, more than the animal which swallows it. But the reason for
purging a healthy Horse immediately destined to violent exertion, lies
very near the surface. It is simply, as I believe I have before ob-
served, to unlade his stufl[ed entrails, and to cool his blood, and in this
affair, as in others already adverted to, it is far the most safe to err, on
the side of forbearance. As to suffering grooms to give violent purges
to Race-horses, already run off their legs, and debilitated by travel and
hard work, under the idea of getting them right, is a wrong-headedness
which would do no discredit to the inmates of Bedlam,

SECTION

252

SECTION XXII.

STRATAGEMS OF THE COURSE. TREGONWELL FRAMPTON, ESQ. AND HIS

HORSE DRAGON. — FA5I0 US CROSS I N MERLIN's MATCH. SUPERIOR MORA-
LITY OF MODERN SPORTSMEN. THE DUKE OF QUEINSBURY, KATHER OP

THE TURF, ANECDOTE OF. DISQUISITION ON A PREVALENT TURF MA-

NCEUVRE, AND AN ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THE POINT ON TENABLE

GROUND. — AN EXAMPLE. ANECDOTE OF RIDER AND MAD HANNAH.

OF THE SPORTING CHIMNEY-SWEEPER.

I SHALL next endeavour to entertain the sporting reader Math
examples of stratagems, both fair and unfair, of the course ; the extra-
ordinary performances of Racers, both of early and latter days; and of
other curious and memorable events, which have occured in the annals
of the turf

With respect to stratagem and manoeuvre in the business of the
course, the name of Frampton has always stood conspicuous. Tre-
gonwell Frampton,Esq. who had been keeper of the Running-Horses to
King William III. Queen Anne, George I. and II. died in 1727, at the
age of eighty-six, father of the turf. He was, during the latter part of
his life, and in succeeding times has been, familiarly styled Old Framp-
ton, and always esteemed a shrewd and extraordinary character. The
story of this gentleman having cut his favourite Horse, Dragon, upon
the course, in order to run him a gelding, has been universally received
as a fact, yet resting only on tradition, and a tale in No. 37, of the Ad-
venturer. In my Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses, I
had made some severe, and indeed harsh remarks, on the character of
Mr. Frampton, on which several friends to his memory, signified to me
their desire, that I would publish what could be said in his defence
•which, in their opinion, stood u^n an authority at least equal to anj'^

which

253

■which supported his accusation. Exchisive of the pleasure I should
feel in the exculpation of any man's character, I was bound in common
justice to comply with this requisition, and accordingly stated the in-
formation I had received, with my authority, in a late edition of the
above work, to which I refer the curious. It is contended, on the
testimony of a contemporary, who knew Mr. Frampton well, that no such
fact ever occurred, upon the turf, as that of which he stands accused ; and
moreover that, whatever may have been his faults, the want of huma-
nity was not among them. On the other hand, it will be proper to make
a quotation from Dr. Hawksworth, the only written authority in the
case, of which I am apprized. Dragon raced in the latter end of the
reign of Queen Anne, and Dr. Hawksworth Avas old enough to have
obtained his intelligence from eye-wntnesses.

The Horse is supposed to tell his own sad story in the Elysium of
beasts, as follows: " At last, however, another competitor appeared;
I enjoyed a new triumph by anticipation ; I rushed into the field pant-
ing for the conquest ; and the first heat put my master in possession of
the stakes, which amounted to ten thousand pounds. The proprietor
of the mare that I had distanced, notwithstanding the disgrace, declared
with great zeal, that she should run the next day, against any gelding
in the world, for double the sum : my master immediately accepted the
challenge, and told him that he would the next day produce a gelding
that should beat her ; but what was my astonishment and indignation
when I discovered, that he most cruelly and fraudulently intended to
qualify me for this match upon the spot ; and to sacrifice my life at the
very moment in which every nerve should be strained in his service !

" As I knew it would be in vain to resist, I suffered myself to be
bound ; the operation was performed, and I was instantly mounted,
and spurred on to the goal. Injured as I was, the love of glory was
still superior to the desire of revenge ; I determined to die as I had
lived — without an equal; and having again won the race, I sunk down
at the post in an agony, which soon put an end to my life."

" When I had heard this horrid narrative, zijhieh indeed I remembered
to be true, I turned about, in honest confusion, and blushed that I was
a man !" «» -

The

254

The only notice that we have of Dragon, in the annals of the turf,
is, that he was twice beaten at Newmarket, by Bay Bolton ; as to the
accusation of Dr. Hawksworth, the best mean now left for judging of
its authenticity, seems to be a recourse to the public newspapers, be-
tween the years 1710 and 1720, which could not possibly have re-
mained silent on such an extraordinary fact. Among the many stra-
tagems attributed to Mr. Frampton, his unsuccessful cross, in the fa-
mous match with a favourie Horse against Old Merlin, over Newmar-
ket, has ever been most distinguished by public notice. Old Merlin
was but in the second generation from four earliest known racing blood,
being a grandson of the Uelmsley Turk, the property ofVilliers, the
first Duke of Buckingham. He Avas supposed to be the best Horse
that had ever appeared in England, and both his racing, and success af-
terwards, as a stallion, fully confirmed that character : Our racing
accounts do not extend so far back as the time when Merlin was in
training, commencing whilst he was a stallion. He was living in 1714.
In all probability then, the match about to be described, was run, either
in the reign of King William, or early in that of Queen Anne : which,
indeed, may be ascertained, for its effects, in the ruined fortunes of se-
veral gentlemen, having been noticed in Parliament, gave rise to the law
against the recovery of any sum exceeding ten pounds, Avon by betting.
Having no other authority, 1 have extracted the following detail from
Mr. Pick's Turf Register :

" Merlin was matched for a considerable sum of money, to run
against a favourite Horse of Mr. Frampton's, at Newmarket. Imme-
diately on its being closed, there was great betting between the north
and south country gentlemen. After Merlin had been some little
time at Newmarket, under the care of one Heseltine, Mr. Frampton's
groom endeavoured to bring him over to run the two Horses a private
trial, at the stated weights and distance agreed upon in the match;
observing, by that means, they ynight both make their fortunes ! Fleseltine
refused, but in such a manner as to give the other hopes of bringing
him over. In the mean while, Heseltine took the opportunity of com-
municating, by letter, into Yoikshire, the proposed offer to Sir William
Strickland, Bart, Avho was principally concerned in making the match.

Sir

Sir William returned for answer, that he might accept of it ; and in-
siriicted IJcseltiiie to be si/i-c to deceive his competitor, by letting Merlin
carry seven pounds more zceight, than that agreed upon, and at the same
time, laying a particular injunction to secrecy. Soon alter Heseltine re-
ceived this hint, he consented to the proposal ; hut previous thereto,
Mr. Frampton had given his groom similar instructions. The two
Horses were prepared, started, and ran over the course agreed to in
the articles of the match; when Merlin beat his antagonist something
more than a length of excellent running. This being communicated
to each party by their secret and faithful grooms, who both rode the
trial, flattered each with certain success. Merlin's friends observing,
that as he had beat the other with seven pounds more weight, he would
win his race easily. On the other hand, says Mr. Frampton, as my
Horse ran Merlin so near, with seven pounds extra weight, he will win
this race to a certaint5^ Immediately after, proposals were made on
both sides, to an enormous amount, and accepted ; and it has been
asserted, that there was more money betted on this event, than was ever
known, gentlemen not only staking all the cash they were able to ad-
vance, but their other property also. At length the important hour
arrived for the determination of this great event, and each party flushed
with the prospect of success ; the South-country gentlemen observed to
those of the North, that ' they would bet them gold, while gold they had,
and then they might sell their land. The Horses started, and the race
was won by Merlin, by about the same distance as in the secret trial.
In a short time after, it became known, to the mortification of its in-
ventor, Tregonwell Frampton, Esq."

The authenticity of the above facts, has, I believe, never been dis-
puted. However wide of the fair and allowable, in the stratagems of
sporting, such manoeuvres as the above must be deemed by all men of
honourable feeling, it is yet difficult to blame the counter-plot of the
North-country Baronet. This example points strongly to the fact of
sporting gentlemen being much in the })ower of their servants, and de-
monstrates the necessity of the former having themselves, an intimate
practical acquaintance with that extremely precarious business in which
they are engaged. It may also serve as a mark of distinction between

the

256

the former and present times. In the present state of the morals of the
turf, hoAvever lax they may be generally deemed, no such transactions
as those in Merlin's match, could be countenanced by sporting gentle-
men.

His Grace the Duke of Queensbury, Father of the Turf, was some
years since, upon the course at Newmarket, asked rather mal apropos,
by a young lad, loud enough to be heard by the circle, " How am I
to ride this race, my Lord Duke r" This interesting question occasioned
much mirth, but the Duke, with a coolness and skill, peculiarly his own,
parried the laugh by exclaiming, "How are you to ride ? Why take the
lead and keep it, to be sure, if you can, how the devil would you ride }*^
Which was a lucky hit, for it seems, his Grace intended to make the
play. I was not present to hear this, but true or not, the anecdote
may serve to introduce the grand turf manoeuvre of modern times, well
known, indeed, and practised in all, never openly acknowledged, but
generally understood, beyond which, in deviation from the square, no
gentleman ever proceeds, and even in which, there are certain nice lines
of discrimination, not at any rate to be passed. The familiar phrases,
" Did he rim to win ?" and " He was heat against his will," are sufficiently
illustrative, but I shall strip the matter quite naked to the view of the
uninitiate, from a very plain book, in which, to use an old phrase, " No
bottles are stopped," — my Treatise on Horses.

" Stratagems are surely lawful in Horse-racing, as well as in Love
and W^ar. I shall not debate or philosophize much on this head, but
touch immediately on a material point, and that lightly. Is it incon-
sistent with the honour of a sporting gentleman, to start his Horse with
an intention of losing? In my opinion, by no means; I hold it to be a
manoeuvre in which is involved much of the general interest of sporting,
and which ought to be esteemed legitimate, with the proviso, that no
cruel or unfair methods are used to compass it. A sportsman may
want a good trial for his Horse, the state of his betting account may
require the measure, or he may have some future heavy engagement,
for the sake of which, it might not be safe previously to distress his
Horse, although an easy race might conduce to his own pleasure and
profit. The matter being thus universally understood, would make

the

257

the point of honour clear, which is perhaps at present rather dubious.
Wha a curious and extraordinarj^ match would be that, between two
eager candidates for losing ?"

This point, I apprehend, was never before discussed in print, and I
should be proud to have the honour of settling it. As to the waiting
race, for making the best use of speed, I recollect the following shining
example — shining indeed for Lord Grosvenor, the winner. Perhaps
nearly thirty years since, in a great sweepstakes, at Newmarket, in
which some of the best Horses of the day, were competitors, and each
jockey desirous of waiting, and profiting by his Horse's speed, at the
last push, all the capital Horses started, and proceeded so slowly, that,
the rider of an inferior Horse, with great judgment, took the advantage,
and making the strongest play within his Horse's power, actually got so
far a-head, that the others, who so much despised this Horse, as to be
thrown off their guard, could never over-take him with their utmost
exertions, and he won the race ! This I very well remember, but can-
not immediately lay my hand upon the precise page, in the Racing
Calendar, The winner was a Horse ot very little worth, I think got
by Gimcrack. The same fortunate chance for a bad racer, liappened
again last year, on some country course ; surely Egham.

The following successful tour man}^ years ago, came partly under my
notice, and I had the particulars from the best authority. Two gentle-
men had each a colt and a fdl^^ The colt, as I recollect, by A^'^ildair,
large and coarse, a very awkward goer, but he covered a great deal of
ground, and ran his course remarkably well through, when he Avas
right, which was seldom, and he never started in public, until four years
-old. The filly had good speed, but it was pretty clearly ascertained,
although they were never tried tog-ether, that the colt could beat her at
any distance, bej^ond a mile and half They ran together for a fifty-pound
plate, which the filly won, the colt not running to win, but he was found
at the ending post in a tolerable good place. He was immediately sold, and
a match made between the two, to run three miles at even weights. Mo-
ney, as was expected, was betted very freely upon the filly, at odds; but
the colt won in a good form, winning also for his backers, a very con-
siderable sum. Not standing sound afterwards, he was sold to Russia,

as a stallion.

2 L About

258

About the same period, an old jockey told me the following stories :
Crazy Jack or Tom Rider, a well-known groom and jockey, rode a
mare called Mad Hannah, the dam of Latham's Snap, and of Rattle,
?on of Snip, Avith panniers upon her, himself in the garb of a baker, all
over powdered with flour, upon some country course, and demanded to
have his mare entered at the post, which was agreed upon. He was
an entire stranger, and as none but those in the secret knew from whence
he came, the company was much amused with the jawing baker and his
shabby mare, for such was her appearance, fully expecting to see her
lost by the Race-horses. They were, however, much disappointed, for
the baker's mare won the plate, and some money for the baker, who
rode her, habited as he was, in dusty-white, and an old hat.

A chimney-sweeper in London, kept a racer or two in training, and
the fellow who rode for him, was known by the name of Black-wig.
This sportsman's mare was leading up and down the course, at Epsom,
some time before starting, when a gentleman rode up to the person
leading the mare, and the following laconic dialogue passed between
them: "What is the name of this mare?" — Whirligig. "Who rides
her ?" — Blackwig. " To whom does she belong r" — Sootbag.

SECTION

259

SECTION xxir.

RHYMING PRESCRIPTION FOR A JOCKEY. — THE DUKE OF QUEENSBUKY's

GENIUS AND SUCCESS ON THE TURF. — MR. FOX. — JOHN MEDLEY. LORD

MANSFIELD AND COPPER-BOTTOM. — SUCCESSFUL MANCEUVRE AT GUILD-
FORD.— THE RACER OF FORMER TIMES. — IMPORTED HORSES. — TRAIN-
ING.— OLD RACERS, THEIR PERFORMANCES AND ANECDOTES.

TO return to the Duke of Queensbury, whose head has been so
aptly put in requisition by the writer of the following ingenious rhym-
ing prescription, for the noble composition of a Jockey.

** Take a pestle and mortar of moderate size,
" Into Queensbury's head put Bunbury's eyes ;
" Cut Dick Vernon's throat, and save all the blood,
♦' To answer your purpose, there's none half so good ;
" Pound Clermont to dust, you'll find it expedient,
" The world cannot furnish a better ingredient.
" From Derby and Bedford take plenty of spirit,
" Successful or not they have always that merit —
" Tommy Panton's address, John Wasteil's advice,
" With a touch of Prometheus, 'tis done in a trice."

Alas ] Dick Vernon's blood has lost that virtue which it possessed
through such a length of years. Clermont is pounded to dust ! The
•spirit of the princely Bedford has taken its flight to a superior course;
and Tommy Panton has retired to a country, where his finest address
will be of no avail, and where, we trust, he will no longer need it.
But we still possess Bunbury's eyes, his shrewdness, humanity, and
good-nature ; the patriotism, sportsman-like, and nationally-useful qua-
lities of Derbj^ and Bedford, and long may we possess them ! And John
Wasteil's advice, improving by age, is grown still mellower and better.

His Grace of Queensbury seems to have inherited the inventive ge-
nius.

'260

nius, judgment, and fervent devotion to racing, ascribed to a former
celebrated Fatlier of tbe Turf. They also raced a nearly-equal num-
ber of years. The Duke, I believe, regularly pursued the engage-
ments of the course, during the very long period of some few yearsj
more than half a century ; and with an unparalleled success, it is ge-
nerally believed, in his matching and betting accounts. His carriage-
match at Newmarket, the fame of" which spread over all Europe, and
his successful half-and-quarter-mile matches, with the Rocket gelding,
gained him the reputation of an Original in the projects of the turf The
success of these short races was supposed to depend materially on the
presence of mind, keenness of eye, and activity of Hell-iire Dick, the
fittest of all the Joekies of his da}^ to make the most,, without losing an.
inch, of Rocket's gun-shot burst, whom I have seen capering for the
start, his head forcibly held back, with his broadside towards the goaL
Mr. Goodison has some years resigned his seat on horseback, and has
set himself down, happily and deservedly, to enjoy the profit of long
and faithful services.

The year 1789 exhibited some decisive proofs of the judgment in
matching, as well as the success of the noble Duke of Queensbury. In
the first Spring Meeting at Newmarket, his Grace refused five hundred
guineas forfeit to his Horse Dash, by Florizel, then five years old, from
Lord Derby's Sir Peter Teazle, the six-mile course, one thousand gui-
neas. And in the second Spring Meeting, Dash beat Mr. Hallam's bay
Horse by Highflier, eight stone seven pounds each, B. C. for one thou-
sand guineas. In the second October Meeting, he beat His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales's Don Quixote, eight stone seven pounds
each, six-mile course, for nine hundred guineas. And the following
week he also beat Lord Barrymore's Highlander, the same weight,,
three times over the round course, for eight hundred guineas; the Duke
winning exactly by his matches, exclusive of what he may have won
by bets, three thousand guineas.

This noble person has had through life, his full share of sarcasm and
ridicule, but with a contemptuous and expressive silence, he has turned
the tables upon the laughers. Who indeed, among them, can boast of
the uninterrupted flow of happiness enjoyed by the Duke, to which

equanimity

261

equanimity has perhaps contributed as largely, as opulence and exalted
rank.

The late patriotic Mr. Fox may, Avithout any invidious intent, be
adduced as a directly opposite example. He was accustomed, himself
to ridicule his ill success upon the turf, and the game of his horses,
Avhich were in general too stout to have speed enough to win. If I mav
be allowed to offer a conjecture, the want of success of this eminent per-
son, both in the sportiug and political course, originated in the same
cause. Perhaps Seagull, by Woodpecker, which in the year 1790, won
the Oatlands Irom the Prince of Wales's Escape, was the. best racer
Mr. Fox ever possessed.

In an amusing volume, intituled, " Sporting Anecdotes," I ob-
serve a copy of verses to the memory of old John jMedley, formerly
keeper of a coffee-house, in Round Court, Strand, one of the chief
houses of resort, in London, for sporting people of a certain degree, par-
ticularly professional men, and persons of rank were sometimes found
there. Major O'Kelly, England, Tetherington, Hull, and others of
their standing, were among the constant visitants and supporters of the
house, where an adventurer might be accommodated with a bet of five
or five hundred pounds. There was also a play-or-pay dinner, as Med-
ley used to phrase it, alluding to its certainty on the day, at four shillings,
every Sunday, calculated in point of time, for the convenience of those
who returned from their ride in Rotten Row. About the year 1777,
and thereafter seven or eight years, I occasionally frequented this
house for my amusement, and for the sake of keeping up my stock of in-
formation on a subject, to which I have ever been passionately attached.
But I must here remark, least any should suppose I have been con-
cerned in the business of the turf, or a great trainer of Horses, that the
degree of knowledge, with which the reader may be inclined to compli-
ment me, has been obtained in a very private way ; yet it has been jirac-
tical. I was much amused, butnot much informed, by my conversations
with Medley, whose forte was chiefly sporting history and anecdote.
Like all superficial sportsmen, he was exceedingly attached to particular
Horses; and to assert that his Bacchus was not the best Horse in the
world, would stir up the habitual choler of old John, equally with pity-
ing

262

ing him as likely to have the gout; a supposition he could not endure;
the gout being, in his opinion, a disease of indolence. I once rode with
him to Sutton, to see a large Wildair colt, vhich he was about to put
into training, and which he seemed to fancy from its blood, must prove
a capital Racer. On the contrary, it appeared to me likely to turn out
one of those, which invariably make it a point to run stoutly behind.
The late George Carter, who called himself a history painter, and in
whose signal vanitj' the Empress Catharine found so much amuse-
ment, shewed me a portrait of Medley, which he was employed to paint
by a club, for the consideration of twenty-five guineas, but which he re-
fused to deliver to his employers, they declining to make stakes, without
which the brush must remain dry and still. It is a good mechanical
likeness, if now in existence. After the breaking up of the coffee-house.
Medley, subsisted during the short remainder of his life, upon an annu-
ity of fifty pounds, allowed him, I believe, by his sporting friends.

The sportsmen of that day must recollect the Horse Copper-bottom,
and that he was at last in the hands of a gang of escrocs, who fell out
and had a number of law-suits about him. After Lord Mansfield had
tried several causes to determine the property of this Horse, grown wearj*^
of such re|)eated litigation, the old judge said from the bench, with
that peculiar dryness of manner, which was natural to him, and in a ca-
dence equally peculiar — " What a Godalmighty's name, gentlemen, will
you never have done running this Copper-bottom, ha !"

In 1779 I saw a number of people return from Guildford Avith very
long faces. They had lost their money in the following way: On the
last day of the race, Old Slim, Old Damper, Miss Harvey, by Eclipse,
and a Horse of Hull's, met to run for the Town Plate. It seemed to be
settled that Damper was to win, and five to four was the betting upon
him against the field. But a Newmarket Horse entered in the name of
Flush, no other than Humbug, by Chrisolite, a Horse which had ca-
pital speed, and had won large sums at Newmarket. By an almost
incredible inadvertence, many regular betters, I was informed, were actu-
ally ignorant that it was Humbug, against which they laid their money,
at four to one ; four sporting heats were made of the race, and the
Horse under the new name of Flush, humbugged a number of sports-
men

'263

men out of their money : among the re^st, a young gentleman, a parti-
cular friend of mine, although he was under very able tuition. Dam-
per giving Humbug eleven pounds, two-mile heats, five to four on
Damjjer, and four to one against Humbug, seemed to me a curious
rate of betting.

The performances of individual racers will demonstrate, that the
character of the English Race-horse had attained, perhaps its utmost
perfection, nearly a century since, and that modern superiority consists
in that perfection being more generally diffused, as the breed has in-
creased. A retrospect too seems to evince great superiority in the fo-
reign Horses of former times, many of the best racers in these days,
being the immediate descendants, on both sides, of Arabs, Barbs, or
Turks, or their sires and dams ; such an advantage from imported stock
is unknown in later times. In all our old pedigrees, the Arab, Barb,
and Turk, seem pretty equally mixed.

The training, or preparatory labour of the modern Race-horse, is cer-
tainly far more favourable than the training of old times ; the racin-j-
weights carried on niany occasions lighter, and long distances not so
frequent; but Horses now run much oftener, from the vast increase of
plates, and of the general business of the turf, and they are, besides, put
to work, and to earn their subsistence, much earlier than many of the
old racers, which did not start in public until five, and even six years old,
to which favourable circumstance, no doubt, the great superiority of
some, is in part to be attributed. I have already pointed out a case,
in which such delay may be advantageous, and perhaps, on reflection,
the plan would admit of some extension.

Bay Bolton was five years old when he first started. Brockelsby
Betty, rising five. Bonny Black, rising four. Buckhunter, the famous
Carlisle gelding, and the toughest Horse for work, of which we have
any record, was six years old off, before he started for the Gold Cup, his
first race. It was the same with great numbers, until we reach the
da3^s of Eclipse. That he did not appear in public, until five years old,
was probably owing to his being amiss, or to some cause which had no
relation to the preservation of his strength.

The earliest racer of very high eminence for performance:, of \^hicb

we

264^

■we "have any particular account, is Brocklesby Beti y, the property of
the Pelham family. She was a large, dark chcsnut mare, without
any white, foaled in Lincolnshire, in 1711, and bread entirely from
fbrei-^n stock. Got by the Curwen Bay Barb, out of the Hobby mare,
daughter of the Lister Turk, out of a royal or foreign mare. Although
used as a brood-mare before she was trained, she yet proved superior, as
is said, both for speed and goodness, to any Horse or Mare of the
time. There is a portrait remaining of Brocklesby Betty, which pro-
bably gives a correct idea of her general figure ; but Horse-painting
was surely at a very low ebb in this country, before the days of Stubbs.
This mare won several Royal Cups, both in the North and at New-
market, beating all the capital Horses of the North and South. Many
of her races were at heats, and with high weights. She also beat in two
matches, in 1718, the Duke of Wharton's Snail, for two hundred
guineas, and the Duke of Bridgewater's famous Astridge Ball, by
Leeds, then supposed to be the best Horse in the kingdom, for nine
hundred guineas. She was thenceforth turned into the breeding stud,
the property of Mr. Crofts, who was the fortunate owner of so many
celebrated racers. Brocklesby, foaled in 1723, was her produce, and
many late famous racers have descended from her.

Bonny Black was bred by the Duke of Rutland, a black mare with
two white legs behind, and a small blaze in her face, foaled in 1715.
She was the daughter of a Horse of the Duke's, called Black-hearty,
a son of the Byerley Turk, her dam by a Persian stallion, which very
probably might be a true-bred Arabian, and merely styled Persian,
from his having been procured in that country ; a common occurrence
as I have before stated. Her great and true running naturally leads to
such conjecture. Her speed was so great, that it was said to equal her
game and strength of constitution, by which she told out all the Horses
of her day.

In April, 1719, at Newmarket, Bonny Black, then rising four, but
according to older accoun'.s, only rising three years old, beat Mr. Framp-
ton's Horse, rising seven, ten stone each ; and going down into the
North in the following August, she won the King's Plate at Hambleton,
beating thirty five-year old mares, thirty-five had entered, but the were

drawn.

265

drawn, being the greatest number ever entered for that plate. In the
following 3^ear she won the same plate, beating seventeen others. The
next April she won the King's plate for mares at Newmarket. At six
years old she beat Merryman, aged, allowing him three stone. This
Merrimanwas a gelding, sometimes called the Witty Gelding, a winner
of the King's Plate at Newmarket, and one of the first racers of his
time. She afterwards beat the famous Hackwood, eight stone each ;
after which the Duke of Rutland challenged all England with her, for
a tliousand guineas, to run four times round the King's-plate Course, at
Newmarket, without rubbing, which was not accepted. She was the
only mare that ever won Hambleton twice, and the giving the year at
the weight of ten stone, to sucii a number of mares, in that famous
county of racers, taking also into consideration her travelling backward
and forward between Yorkshii-e and Newmarket, are surprising proofs
of constitutional power. The Duke kept this mare in the stud, and from
her have descended many of our highest formed racers. Colonel
O'Kelly, I am informed, has an original portrait of Bonny Black, at
Cannons. If there be any truth in the prints of her, she was exceed-
ingly well filletted.

BucKHUNTER was bred by the Earl of Carlisle, thence called the
Carlisle Gelding, and foaled in 1713. He was so vicious and unma-
nageable a colt, that it was judged necessary to cut him ; indeed, the
countenance in his portrait, shews such disposition. He was full brother
to Old Lady, got by the famous Bald Galloway, his dam the Wharton
mare by Lord Carlisle's Turk, outof a daughter of the same Bald Gal-
loway, which was outof a Byerley Turk mare.

Buckhunter won Queen's Anne's Gold Cup, value one hundred
guineas, and many King's Plates, with great variety of matches and
prizes, and after the severe service of running trials at Newmarket,
until fourteen years of age, he won nearly twenty plates, in different
parts of the country, at last, losing his life by breaking a leg, whilst
running for a plate at Salterley Common, and was buried near the
pales of Stilton church-yard, in 1731. Buckhunter had not first rate
speed : but in other respects, was equal to any Horse that ever was
trained. The Bald Galloway, sire of Buckhunter, and of so many ex-

2 M cellent

266

cellent racers, among other valuable mares, got Roxana, the dam of
Cade and Lath, Grey Robinson, the dam of Rcgulus, and Silverlocks,
the grand-dam of BrilHant.

In 1714, at CHfton and Rawcliff-Ings, near York, the third heat for
the Queen's gold cup, being severely contested between Mr. Childers's
Duchess and Mr. Pierson's Foxhunt.er, the jockies fought on horseback,
a sufficient evidence of the former barbarous manners of the
turf In 1719, Old Fox, the pio|Derty of Mr. Cotton, of Sussex,
beat Lord Hillsborough's Witty Gelding, for two thousand guineas, a
proof among many of the spirit of those times. The name of Old
Fox stands eminent in our pedigree. In Fox's pedigree, as well as
in that of many of our highest-formed racers and stallions, there
was an affinity of blood, which is here adverted to, by way of
hinting, that such circumstance may not have the unfavourable
consequence, as to the worth of the stock, which seems generally ap-
prehended (See p. 321.) Fox was got by Clumsy out of Bay Peg, a
daughter of Leedes's Arabian, his grand-dam being Young Bald Peg,
got also by the same Arabian, out of the dam of Spanker. Spanker,
one of our most famous and high-bred stallions, was bred at Brockelsby^
by the Pelham family, and comes very near our earliest pedigrees ;
perhaps his grand-dam takes precedence of all others, going beyond the
Old Morocco Mare. Spanker Avas got by the D'Arcy Yellow Turk
out of the Old Morocco Mare, his grand-dam, called Old Bald Peg,
bred by Lord Fairfax, and got by an Arabian out of a Barb mare.

Flying Guilders was a chesnut Horse, with white upon his nose,
and whited all-fours, upon his pasterns, the white reaching highest
upon his near leg before, and his off hinder leg. On this head the old
jockies held the following whimsical doctrine— A Horse is well marked
when he has h.\s far fore-foot and his near hinder-foot, white ; on the con-
trary, those are said to be ill marked, that have the near fore-foot and far
hinder-foot white, or a white hinder-foot on the far side, or both the^bre-
feet white, or when the two teet on the same side are white; and he is
called well-whited, if his hinder feet be both white, provided the white
do not run up too high, tor he is then styled honed, which is the sign of a
washy constitution.

Flying Childers appears fifteen hands high, or upwards, and to have

been

267

been of the short, compact form in his back and loins, his immense
stride being furnished by the length of his legs and thighs, the former ap-
pearing in every portrait of him, of considerable length. This is not
perhaps, precisely the form, from which we should expect such wonder-
ful performances, both of speed and endurance, if we may with proprie-
ty, speak of the game of a Horse which had no competitor on earth, en-
dowed with sufficient speed to come within the reach of his heel; the
same may be said of Eclipse, and of those two only. Strength of loin,
and general compactness of form, upwards, doubtless supported the
extraordinary reach of Flying Childers, and enabled him to make those
wonderful springs which are recorded of him. According to tradition,
he was a vicious Horse, and governed with difficulty, of which his
countenance is an indication; but whether the remainder of the story
be true, that he was not trained as a racer in the beginning, but that his
great speed and powers were first discovered in the field at a severe fox-
chase, in which all Horses but himself were knocked up, I cannot judge;
such a story is, however, current in the North.

He was bred by Leonard Childers, Esq. of Carr-house, near Don-
caster, purchased young by the Duke of Devonshire, and in all proba-
bilit}'-, did not race until rising six years old. Foaled in 1715. Got by
the Darley Arabian, out of Betty Leedes, by Old Careless, grand-
dam, own sister to Leedes, by Leedes's Arabian, which was the sire of
Leedes's great grand-dam, by Spanker, out of the Old Morocco Mare,
his own dam. Old Careless, sire of the dam of Childers, was got by
Spanker, out of a Barb mare. Childers, we see, was bred considerably
in-and-in, and with a mixture of Barb and Arabian blood. Old Spanker,
being almost all Barb.

Flying Childers never started, but at Newmarket, and there beat M'ith
ease, the best Horses of his time. In Ocober, 1722, he beat Lord
Drogheda's Chaunter, ten stone each, six miles for one thousand guineas.
At six years of age he ran a trial at nine stone two pounds, against
Almanzor, got also by the Darley Arabian, and Brown Betty, a mare
belonging to the Duke of Rutland, over the round course, at Newmar-
ket, three miles, six furlongs, and ninety-three yards, in six minutes and
forty seconds ; to perform which, he must have moved eighty-two feet
and a half, in one second of time, or nearly at the rate of one mile in a

2 M 2 minute,

268

minute, the greatest degree of velocity of which any Horse was ever
cajxible, or probably ever will be. He likewise ran over the Beacon
Course, four miles, one furlong, one hundred and thirty-eight yards, in
seven minutes and thirty seconds, covering, at each bound, a space of
twenty-five feet. He also leaped ten yards on a level ground, with his
rider. The Devonshire, or Flying Childers, died in his Grace's stud in the
year 1741, having covered few mares, but those of his [)roprietor. The
high rank which he and his sire have attained in our pedigree, has been
repeatedly adverted to. The Darley and Godolphin Arabians, divide
the palm between them; in stating which, it ought not to be forgot-
ten, that \vhereas the latter had a great number of the best mares in the
country, the Darley Arabian covered few mares, excepting those of his
owner, and some of those were said to be of inferior blood.

We have it on the authority of a cotemporary and a sportsman, that a
•Welsh gentleman offered the Duke of Devonshire for his Horse Chil-
ders, the weight of the Horse in crowns and half-crowns, which the
Duke refused.

The dam of Flying Childers produced a colt which was killed by be-
ing choaked from eating chaff or hulls, at the barn-door, a memorandum
worth retaining, for the sake of the caution it may induce : Also Bleed-
ing Childers, so called from his frequently bleeding at the nose, after-
wards Bartlet's Childers, never trained, but of the highest reputation in
our pedigrees, as a stallion.

The memory of Old Partner deserves a short notice. His fame
was equally great as a racer, as it has since proved in the character of
a stallion. Mr. Croft's Partner was bred by Charles Pelham, Esq.
at Brocklesby, in Lincolnshire, the birth-place of many high-bred
racers, and foaled in 1718. He was got by Jig, a son of Captain B}^-
erley's famous Turk ; his dam, the dam also of Soreheels, own sister to
the Mixbury Galloway, and grand-dam to Crab, Snip, and others, by
the Curwen Bay Barb ; grand-dam, by the Curwen Old Spot, a daughter
of the Chesnut White-legged Leather Barb, out of the old Vintner Mare.
The Mixbury Galloway was only thirteen hands two inches high, but
one of the best runners of his time at light weights. The pedigree of
the Vintner Mare was unknown. She was a brood mare some years

before

269

before she was trained, after which she beat the best Horses in th«
North; and Mr. Crofts supposed her the best-bred mare in England.
Partner was a Horse of great powers, symmetry, and beautj^ and tlie best
racer of his time at Newmarket, At five years old he beat a Hor^c
of Sir Rol)ert Fagg's, of the same age, allowing him two stone; and
the next year beat the Bolton Sloven, allowing him ten pounds (or the
year. The blood of the Byerley Turk, through Partner, as totally
distinct, was an excellent cross for that of the Darley Arabian, through
Childers and others, according to the received opinion of breeders.

Miss Neesham, afterwards called Old Mother Neesham. I introduce
this mare on a two-fold account. For the sake of making a remark on
her form, and as she stands connected with an anecdote, Avhich n)y
Lord Somerville lately imparted to me, respecting his grandfather.

This famous racer and brood-mare, I have somewhere read or heard,
had her shoulder formed like the hare, of great width at the summit,
and that she ran with her fore-legs as wide as a barn door. Her
shoulders, however thick, declined deeply into her waist, adding to her
strength without diminishing her powers of progression. She was bred
at Neesham, in Cumberland, foaled in 1720, and sold to jNIr. Darley
of Yorkshire. Got by Hartley's blind Horse, son of the Holderness
Turk, out of the dam of Favourite, by Commoner, son of Place's White
Turk. She was of the oldest blood then in England. She started at
six years old, in the name of Cripple, for the King's Plate at York, and
although being lame, she could not win the plate, she yet won the high
opinion of Stephen Jefferson, the famous jockey, who rode her, and
who, on a more intimate acquaintance, preferred her even to his fa-
vourite Aleppo. Miss Neesham afterwards beat the best Horses in
the kingdom, and at the high weights often and twelve stone, winning
her races in a very high form. In 1731 she was covered by Skip-Jack,
a son of the Darley Arabian, the produce of which was INIiss Patty,
afterwards well known as a racer and brood-mare. In 1733 she was
again trained and raced in the name of Mother Neesham, proving to
the last, the stoutest racer of her time, at high weights, and in running
heats. In her last race at York, she beat Lord Weymouth's Whitting-
ton, at eleven stone, three heats, distancing two others. She finished her
career as a brood-mare, in Mr. Darley's stud.

I can

270

I can confirm the truth of the following note in Mr. Pick's Turf-
Register : " It has been reported, and generally believed, that Mr. Ste-
phe^ii Jefferson took Mother Neesham into Scotland, and won with her
a large gold or silver bowl. But the publisher has been informed, by
a very respectable gentleman, who Avas intimately acquainted Avith
Mr. Jefferson, from his origin of riding, until his death, that the bowl in
question was won by a grey gelding, called Meny Harrier, that Mr.
Darley had purchased of Mr. Bourchier, of Beningbrough, near York."

In the various conversations with which Lord Somerville has ho-
noured me, the turf has occasionally had its share, his Lordship plea-
santly remarking, that had he ever engaged in sporting concerns, he
should have pursued them with the utmost zeal. Among other ques-
tions his Lordship asked me, if I had ever heard of such a Horse as
Merry Harrier. The name had escaped me. Lord Somerville then
related to me, that his grandfather, a Nobleman remarkable for a libe-
ral economy and success in all his pursuits, was in the habit of training a
few Race-horses, as a national pursuit worthy of him, and for his amuse-
ment. In 17:29, we find by the Register, the noble Lord ran a Horse
of the name of D'Arcy, for the King's Plate, at Guildford. He, how-
ever, about four or five years after, was desirous of sending a good Horse
into Scotland, and in consequence, applied to some person in the
North, to provide him with one Avhich would answer the purpose, di-
recting most punctually, in his own way of managing matters, that the
Horse must be capable of beating all Scotland, to a certainty, for he would
not, if possible, incur the risk of a disappointment, in that, or any thing
else. Merry Harrier was accordingly provided, and sent down into
Scotland, where he not only won the abovementioned bowl, but every
thin^ else for which he started, fully executing the commission of his
noble proprietor.

Bloody Bhttocks. In the last edition of the General Stud Book,
it is observed of this stallion,—' Nothing farther can be traced from the
papers of the late Mr. Crofts, than that he was a grey Arabian, with
a red mark on his hip, from w^hence he derived his name. Granting this
to be fact, it is quite contrary to what we have been accustomed formerly
to hear and read concerning Bloody Buttocks, sire of the dam of
Squirel, which was always supposed an English Horse, bred by Mr.

Crofts,

271

Crofts, and often styled in old pedigrees, " that remarkable speedv
stallion Bloody Buttocks." Yet allowing him to have been an Eno-Hsh
Horse, with great speed, it could only have been shewn in private
trials, since he lived so latel)', that had he ran in public, it must have
appeared in the racing transactions. He got Dairy Maid in the year
1737.

Bald Charlotte, or Lady Legs, a high-bred mare, of the finest
form, and winner of King's Plates. At Newmarket, in 1727, carryino-
eighteen stone, she beat Swinger, seventeen stone seven pounds, four
miles, for two hundred guineas. Another, among numerous proofs, that
our best and speediest Race-horses, are not that weak and spider-leo-"ed
breed, which it has been sometimes the fashion to represent them.

The Bloody-Shouldered Arabian was the sire of Sir Nathaniel
Curzon's Brisk, which won the King's Plate at Lincoln, in 1731, and
various other plates. Lord Francis Godolphin Osborne has an original
portrait of this Horse at Gogmagog.

Spanking Roger, by the Devonshire Childers, his dam Sparkler;
the dam also of Mr. Greville's Grantham, by the Cyprus Arabian, out
of a daughter of Spanker. This was a remarkably fine shewy Horse,
as appears by his portrait now before me. He had not that depth of
carcase which generally distinguishes the racer, but had a rotundity of
barrel, often seen in the Suflblk Cart-horse. Indeed, he was so parti-
cularly distinguished in that respect, that Dr. Bracken, who knew the
Horse, has noticed the circumstance as follows, "It is generally sup-
posed, that when a Horse is well let down in the girth, he is a o'ood-
winded nag ; yet I have known this fail now and then, more particu-
larly in the Chesnut Horse, Avhich belonged to the late Sir Edmund
Bacon, called by the name of Spanking Roger, which won the six-year-
old plate at York, Lincoln, and other places, in the year J 738, for he
was a Roiiiid-barrelled Horse, and did not look much let down in the
girth, or of the make of a greyhound, about the breast, yet he was a
good-winded Horse, as well as a swift one. But although he was not
much let down in the place mentioned, he might take as large a girth,
as if he had been more so ; therefore, the true estimate is to be made by
the number of inches that will go round at the usual place where we fix
the girths; or rather, let him be measured over the highest part of his

breast

272

breast, where the ribs join, and by this means you will see whether he
takes a longer girth than Horses of his size commonly do. But you
must consider the condition you measure him in, for if he is fat, he must
in consequence take a longer girth," HoAvever, without doubt, Spank-
ing Iloger being a capital racer, under such a form, must be consi-
dered an exception to the general rule. He might perhaps inherit this
peculiarity from the Cyprus Arabian.

The Doctor, an experienced sportsman, thus again mentions this Horse :
" The present Lord Weymouth has an excellent Horse, which about a
vear ago, was the propert}^ of the late Sir Edmund Bacon. He goes by
the name of Spanking Roger, and has, or at least had, such a particular,
way of running, that they were forced to use a Pelham bit, or sort of
half check bridle, otherwise, the rider could scarce manage him; and
when he won the forty pounds at York, and distanced three or four
Horses and Mares, the first heat, I w^ell remember, the rider leaned back
so much to hold him, through most of the course, that I really believe
his shoulder-blades touched the Horse's fillet. Now if this Horse had
been ridden by a tickle-heeled fellow, I imagine he would have been
distanced himself" This brings Chifney's bridle to recollection. By
tlie mode in which the Doctor described this Horse to have been
jockied, I am led to suppose, the curb did no manner of service, perhaps
only served to fret the Horse, which, as he coidd not be held against his
Avill by the curb, would have been equally well steadied with a plain
snaffle, at most, with the addition of a check-cord. The distinction
lies with those which cannot be held with any bridle, for example, the
Horse in question, Eclipse and some others. Some hot Horses, Young
Eclipse, as an example, are held back by the curb, and will) tliose it may

be useful.

Spanking Roger died in running a trial in the year 1741. Almost
twenty years before, Mr. Panton's Molly, one of the stoutest and most
valua'jle racers of her time, was seized with some violent disease, Avhilst
runnini- at Newmarket, the only race she ever lost, and died in great
a"-ouies. between the Stand and the Rubbing-house. Two hours after,
had she survived, she stood engaged to run another match. In January,
1808, the Duke of Hamilton's bay mare Crazy, dropped dead under

the

273

the groom, whilst running a sweat at Ashton, near Lancaster. Within
these few months, a Horse fell dead at Newmarket, I believe, in his
exercise. Such examples might be multiplied, and ought to be re-
ceived, and treasured up in the memories of riders, training-grooms,
and proprietors of Race-horses, that no precautionary inspection, or
after-care in riding, may be omitted, and that all possible attention be
shewed to the safety and feelings of an animal of such exquisite worth
and let me add, often of such exquisite sensibility, as the Race-
horse. In every unfortunate and unavoidable case of this kind, the
carcase ought to be opened by a surgeon, veterinary or not, and the re-
sults of his inspection recorded in the Stud Book.

TheGoDOLPHiN Arabian. See page 108. With respect to the ori-
ginal picture of this Arabian at Gogmagog, I have, by the favour of
Sir Charles Bunbury, the opportunity of making the following extract

from a letter of Lord Francis Godolphin Osborne to Sir Charles.

I beg at the same time, most respectfully to acknowledge the libera-
lity of the noble Lord, in his readiness to furnish information, and for
the offer of his portraits of Racers, for the use of this work. His Lord-
ship observes, " I have a picture by Wootton, of the Bloody-shouldered
Arabian, and one of the Godolphin Arabian, by the same hand. No
picture by Seymour, was ever here in my time, and if the picture which
I found here in the library is genuine, all the prints and pictures
I have seen, are very erroneous. I much doubt my picture being the
Godolphin Arabian, as I have a known original given me lately by Lord
Townshend, which was done by a person sent by the late Lord, from the
animal himself, and which differs entirely in every point, from the pic-
ture in the library here, alluded to by the author of the Stud Book. This
picture ofLordTownshend's, gives the same idea of the Horse, as all the
prints. Sec. &c. 1 have a picture, by Wootton, of an Arabian mare, given
by Louis XIV. to Lord Petre; likewise, one by the same artist, of
Childers." It is thus ascertained, on the best authority, that Stubbs'
copy is from a genuine original, but not from the picture in the li-
brary.

The Godolphin Arabian, it has been said, was imported from Bar-
■bary by Mr. Co'ke; but by later intelligence it appears, the importation
wa« by the way of France ; and the Editor of the Stud Book, according

2n to

274

to the last edition, was once informed by a French gentleman, whom he
has not had the opportunity of seeing since, that the Arabian had actu-
ally drawn a cart in the streets of Paris.

At the above page (108) 1 noticed a common objection to the works of
our late celebrated horse painter Stubbs, whose superior genius and pro-
fessional skill, have been acknowledged bj^ all ]<]urope, and it is, per-
haps, that peculiar line of painting alone, in which the artists of this
country can pretend to any superior claims. It is probable, tliere is not
in England, so bad a painter as I am a judge of painting; and the sum
total of my connoisseurship amounts to this : In viewing a picture, I
fancy, in the first place, I can discover whether nature has been well
copied, and in the next, whether there be any very great breach of pro-
portions. The reader will thus at once, see the extent of my right to
call in question the justness of the present prevailing opinions, so inimi-
cal to the reputation of Stubbs. These opinions seem to be spread-
ing beyond the professional line, and to have become, in a cer-
tain degree, fashionable. It has been lately discovered, that Stubbs was
merely an anatomist, without any genius as a painter; that his Horses
are all alike, and that after you have looked over his portraits of Marske,
Protector, Shark, Gimcrack, and others, all that you shall have seen, is
the anatomical figure of a Horse, by Stubbs, under different names.
I have been told particularly, that his Shark is quite a different thing
to the real Horse, which my informant saw, a fine, gallant, gay, and
airy stallion. Shark might appear so in the company of a mare, but
whenever I saw him, and I saw him several times, he appeared precisely
in that sober attitude and character, in which our great painter drew
him; nor can I conceive a more correct, or more natural likeness, of
this favourite Racer, to ride which a sweat, how freely would I have
journeyed several hundred miles. In my Treatise on Horses, Vol.2,
page 28, 1 gave a specimen of the accuracy of a criticism on a picture
of Bulls fighting, exhibited by Stubbs. It was a most correct copy
of nature, as every one knew, who had been accustomed to see bulls
fight; but the critics found it tame, and did not stay to reflect, that
it was no fault of the painter, if bulls were not in the habit of fighting
with all the animation and fierceness of tygers or stallions. We have

here

275

here a new edition of ihe ancient story of the Countryman and the Pio-.
I have heard it objected also, that in the portrait of Mambrino, the
painter liad exhibited a War-horse, or Coach-liorse, rather than a Racer,
Once more, Stubbs ought not to be blamed, because Mambrino was a
grandson of Sampson. Is it not the grand defect of this painter, that he
has imitated nature too closel}^ for the taste of the times? With respect to
the crest of the Godolphin Arabian, supposed to be over-done byStubbs,
and out of nature, the character of the painter may be successfully de-
fended, both from the original portraits, and by a living example from
nature. A short time since, I saw at Tattersal's, a stallion belonging to
the late Duke of Portland, got by some son of Eclipse, I think Volun-
teer, out of a hunting mare, with a crest to the full as lofty, swelling
and thick, as that of the Godolphin Arabian appears from the pencil
of Stubbs ; and not only so, but in the tapering of the neck, in the head,
and the smallness of the muzzle, together with the general air in those
parts, the Horse so strongly resembled Stubbs's picture of the Arabian,
that I could not help calling Mr. Tattersal and another gentleman,
who instantly recognized the likeness.

But the posthumous fame of Stubbs, is safe in the keeping of such
patrons as those who possess an inestimable treasure in his pictures.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness the
Duke of York, Earl Grosvenor, the son of Stubbs's first patron. — The
Dukes of Queensbury, Richmond, and Grafton, the Earl of Egremont,
Sir Joseph Banks, Colonel O'Kelly, Colonel Thornton, Christopher
Wilson Esq. General Stibbert, and a Lady, Miss Saltingstone, of Cob-
ham. His Royal Highness the Prince possesses the portrait of iiis
Horse Baronet, with Chifney upon his back, as winning the Oatland
stakes ; this I formerly recommended as a model of the true jockey-seat
on horseback. Earl Grosvenor's and Colonel O'Kelly's, are the largest
collections of the works of Stubbs. Earl Grosvenor has two portraits of
Gimcrackjthat of Gimcrack })reparing to start, is reckoned a clitf d'ccuvre.
The two portraits, it is sai<3, represent this Horse in different shades of
grey, the iron grey of his youth, and the hoary white of liis old age. I re-
collect, that the last proprietor of this famous Horse, leit him a length of
time at Tattersal's, for the inspection of the pubhc. Colonel Thornton has
Knawpost, purchased, I believe, at Stubbs's sale, where Scrubb, and a

2 N 2 variety

276

variety of other paintings and sketches were also purchased by Miss
Saltingstone. The laborious and regular Stubbs, a young man at ninety
years of age, supposed that life might be prolonged by art, to an indefi-
nite and far distant period ; but he found that nature stood in his way.
His death was a gentle sleep. — May we all die like Stubbs !

The famous Skewball, by the Godolphin Arabian, stands immor-
talized in doggerel. Few of my readers, sporting or not, but must have
heard of the race over the Curragh of Kildare, by 'Squire Merwin's
Skewball, when he "beat Miss Sportley, and broke Sir Ralph Gore."
This famous match, in which the whole country was interested,
made by 'Squire Merwin, that " pearl of Irish sportsmen," although ran
more than half a century ago, is still the burden of a song, chaunted
about the streets of London, to the well-known merry popular tune of
" Little John Alcock of Petticoat-lane." But the words have been so
misplaced, and the sense so transmogrified and improved by those emi-
nent and immortal poetic wits, who labour diurnally in the Long-lane
and other manufactories, that it is now, perhaps, impossible to recover
the original song, said to have been written and sung, on the occasion
of the successful race, by 'Squire Merwin's chaplain. The following
verse only, may be considered as really genuine, but the song is well
known, both as to tune and character, to have been the standing model
for such, on every occasion since.

" And when that they came unto the ending post,
" Wicked Jemmy, he call'd for a bumper and toast;
■'* Here's a health to all sportsmen, and to the grey mare,
" That lost all her cash on the Plains of Kildair."

Matchem ranks among our stallions of the highest character, and
was a true and honest runner, but now and then out-footed, as by
Brilliant and others. Being sire of Conductor, he forms one of those
channels, through which the Godolphin Arabian blood has flowed to the
present famous stallion, Sorcerer. Matchem, own brother to Change-
ling, was got by Cade, dam by Partner, Makeless, Brimmer, Place's
White Turk, Dodsworth, out of a Barb mare.

In

In twenty-three years, three hundred and fifty-four Racers, sons and
daughters of Matchem, won 151,097/. exclusive of sums which could not
be ascertained.— PicA's Ttnf Register.

Bay M ALTON was bred by Mrs. Ayrton, of Malton, foaled in 17G0,
and at four years old, after his first race, sold to the Marquis of Rock-
ingham. He was not an over-sized Horse, like the generality of Sani})-
son's stock, being about fifteen hands high. His dam by Cade, full
sister to Leonidas, out of Lass of the IMill, by Traveller, out of Miss
Makeless.

Malton, although of the unfashionable blood of Sampson, beat the
best Horses of his time, and won his noble proprietor very large sums of
money. At York, in August, 1766, he won the Subscription Purr-e,
against Jerkin, Royal George, Flylax, Beaufremont, and King Herod.
This was as fine a heat as ever was run over York, being severely con-
tested throughout, by the first three Horses. Bay Malton won by
about a length, having run the four miles, carrying eight stone seven
pounds, in seven minutes, forty-three seconds and a half, or seven
seconds and a half less time than that course had ever been run over
before.

Eclipse, a chesnut Horse, foaled during the great Eclipse in 1704,
whence his name, given by the Duke of Cumberland. Got by Marske,
(see page 229) out of Spilletta : she was got by Regulus, out of Mother
Western, which was got by a son of Snake, brother to Williams's
Squirrel, her dam by Old Montague, grand-dam by Hautboy, out of a
daughter of Brimmer, her get not specified. Garrick, Proserpine,
Briseis, &c. were full brother and sisters to Eclipse.

This famous Horse, which, with Flying Childers, stands proudly aloof
from all rank or possibility of competition, was bred by His Royal High-
ness Wilham Duke of Cumberland, uncle to his present Majesty, and
purchased at the Duke's decease, by Mr. Wildman, who afterwards sold
a part, and then the whole of him to Mr. O'Kelly. Mr. Wildman
is said to have been, in some degree, aware of the worth of this colt,
when a yearling, and to have taken the following measures, in order to
make sure of him: When arrived at the place of sale, producing his
watch, Wildman insisted the auction had commenced before the hour

announced

278

announced in the advertisement, and that the lots sold should be put up
again. Rather than enter into a dispute, it was agreed by the auctioneer
and company, that Mr. Wildman should have his choice of any parti-
cular lot, which exactly suited his purpose, and secured to him Eclipse,
at the moderate price of seventy or seventy-five guineas. Previously
to Eclipse's running for the King's Plate at Winchester, in 1769, Mr.
Wildman sold the half of him to Mr. O'Kelly, for six hundred and
fifty guineas, and afterwards Mr. O'Kelly bought the other half of
him for eleven hundred guineas. Why Eclipse was withheld from the
course, until five years old, 1 have never heard, but he was privately
tried at Epsom, about that time; and indeed, it is impossible his pro-
prietor could have remained so long unconscious of his vast powers.
When I first saw him, he appeared in high health, of a robust consti-
tution, and to promise a long life. I paid particular attention to his
shoulder, which according to the common notion, was in truth very
thick, but very extensive and well placed ; his hinder quarters, or
croup, appeared higher than his forehand, and in his gallop it was said,
no Horse ever threw in his haunches with greater effect, his agility
and his stride being upon a par, from his fortunate conformation in
every part, and his uncommon strength. He had considerable length
of waist, and stood over a great deal of ground, in which particular he'
was of the oppossite form to Flying Childers, a short-backed compact
Horse, whose reach laid in his lower limbs ; and if there be any common
sense in forming suchacomparative judgment, I should suppose Eclipse
calculated to excel over the course, Childers, for a mile. Eclipse was
an excellent, but thick-winded Horse, and breathed hard and loud in
his exercise. W^hen viewed in his [flesh, as a stalhon, there was a cer-
tain coarseness about him, but a critical eye could discover the high bred
Racer in every part.

Eclipse won eleven King's Plates, the weight for ten of which was
twelve stone, the remainder ten. He was never beaten, never had
a whip flourished over him, or felt the tickling of a spur, or was ever,
ibr a moment, distressed by the speed or rate of a competitor; out-foot-
ing, out-striding, and out-lasting, every Horse which started against
liim. His proprietor acknowledged that he gained twenty-five thou-
sand

279

sand pounds by Eclipse. In twenty-three years, three hundred and forty-
four winners, the progeny of this transcendant courser, produced to their
owners, the sum of 158,047/. 12s. various prizes not included. The
general character of the descendants of Eclipse is speed, although some,
both immediate and remote, have been remarkable for their stoutness
or game ; for example. Lord Surrey's Whizgig, and the present cele-
brated slallion Gohanna, by Mercury, the best four-mile Horse of his
day. Many of the Eclipses, I remember, bent their knees, and were
remarkable high-goers.

At Newmarket First Spring Meeting, 1773, Firetail, a bay Horse,
by Squirrel, beat Pumpkin, by Matchem, a single mile, eight stone
each, and the race was run in one minute, four seconds, and a half; the
speediest performance, it may be supposed, since that of Flying Chil-
ders. Squirrel, the sire of this Firetail, and so famous for speedy stock,
appeared to me a long-waisted, and remarkably short-legged Horse.

Marske, sire of Eclipse, was bred by John Hutton, Esq. of Marske, near
Richmond, in Yorkshire, by whom, when a colt, in the year 1750, he
was exchanged with the old Duke of Cumberland, for a chesnut Ara-
bian, the Duke naming the colt Marske, from Mr. Hutton's residence.
I here beg leave to return my respectful acknowledgments to the
present Mr. Hutton, for his polite and ready answer to a letter, which I
lately addressed to him on the subject of portraits. Marske Mas got by
Squirt, son of Bartlet's Childers, out of the Ruby mare, by Blacklegs,
from a daughter of Bay Bolton, Fox Cub, Coneyskins, Hutton's Grey
Barb, Royal Colt, Byerley Turk, Bustler. We have in this pedigree,
another proof of the little dependence there is to be placed in the coun-
try and blood, assigned by the importers, to foreign Horses. Blacklegs
was got by the Mulso Bay Turk, the same Horse commonly styled
Huttons Bay Barb.

Marske beat Brilliant and others four miles, the round heat at New-
market, but was an uncertain runner. At His Royal Highness's sale,^
Marske was sold as a stallion, at Tattersal's, to a farmer, for a trifle, and
taken into Dorsetshire, where he covered at half-a-guinea. Mr. AVildman
afterwards purchased him of this farmer, for twenty pounds, who thought,
the Horse well sold at that price. Mr. Wildman also being equally

wellc

250

M'ell satisfied at the purchase, for such a price, of the reputed sire of
Echpse, of which, by that time, he had doubtless discovered the great
promise. On the great performances of Eclipse becoming known, the
fameof Marske advanced, and his price, as a covering stallion, to thirty
guineas. lie was then, indeed, esteemed the first stallion in the coun-
try, and was sold to Lord Abingdon for a thousand guineas; his Lord-
ship advertising him to cover at one hundred, afterwards for one sea-
son, at three hundred guineas each mare. He died in 1779. In twenty-
two years, one hundred and fiftj^-four winners of his get produced
71,806/. and upwards.

Putting Eclipse out of question, Marske was the sire of some of our
best Racers, Honest Kit, Shark, Masquerade, Pretender, &c. Shark,
with respect to the work he did, both in public and private, and
the sums he won, is perhaps to be esteemed the best Racer which has
vet appeared, but he was confined to Newmarket. He was trained at
three years old, and raced four seasons, in which he had thirty-six en-
gagements, and started twenty-nine times, out of which he won nine-
teen, receiving six forfeits, and paying four forfeits and a compromise,
exclusive of the Clermont Cup, value one hundred and twenty guineas,
eleven hogsheads of claret, and the whip. Shark won 16,057 guineas in
plates, matches, sweepstakes, &c. a larger sum than any other Horse ever
won. He died some years since, near Alexandria inVirginia. Shark's dam
also bred the famous Chrysolite colt, which won the great sweepstakes,
at Nottingham, in 1777, beating Pot8os, Tremamondo, and Flea-
catcher, which Mr. Swinfen unfortunately lost, after having refused
for him 1,800 guineas.

HiGHFLYEK, ill which was blended the blood of the Godolphin Ara-
bian, through Blank, with that of the Byerley Turk, and Darley Ara-
bian, through Partner, Tartar, and King Herod, was bred in Suffolk,
in the stud of Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury, Bart, and sold a yearling
to Lord Bolingbroke. I have been informed, he was, perhaps at the
convivial board, named Highflyer, from a walnut of the same name, in
•Suffolk. He was out of the dam of Mark Anthonv. I well recollect
tlie dispute quoted by the author of the Stud Book, as to the fact of
Highflyer's having paid a forfeit, and been once beaten in 1777, wlien

three

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tliree years old, and was offered a bet that he was, and there are many
people who still think so. The above-mentioned author asserts, on the
creditor an old sportsman, that Highflyer never paid a forfeit, nor was
ever beaten, and that the mistake arose from an error in the Index to
the Racing Calendar, which, however, does not appear to me to be the
case, since neither in the forfeit, nor the lost race, is the name of High-
flyer mentioned, but merely * colt by Herod.' The author says, this
Herod colt, belonging also to Lord Bolingbroke, was out of Marotte,
whereas Highflyer was out of Rachael. The same Meeting, Highflyer
won a sweepstakes, from the Ditch-in, four to one against him, and that
was the first race in which his name appeared. He was a large-sized
and powerful Horse, and had capital speed, with his full share of the
constitutional goodness of the Herods. As a stallion, his character
stands equally high, and the late Mr. Tattersal, his last proprietor, in
commemoration of the great emoluments derived from this celebrated
Horse, named the estate which he purchased in the Isle of Ely, High-
flyer-Hall, The Horse died there, some years since, quite exhausted
in his nature from excess in covering, and as has been said, under pro-
tracted and cruel sufferings.

I have given the above details of the merits and pedigrees of the
Racers of former times, for the benefit of those who have not been in
the habit of such retrospect, and for the purpose of comparison with
the Horses of the present day. It Avill be seen in what degree
Gohanna, Johnny, Sorcerer, Eleanor, Selim, Eagle, Brain worm, Vio-
lante, and others, have emulated upon the course, and in the stud, the
fame of their great progenitors.

The portrait of Eleanor, which adorns our Title-page, is allowed on
all hands, to be a most correct likeness. This excellent mare was got
by Whisky, son of Saltram, by Eclipse, out of the dam of Sorcerer,
and in the year 18()1, won the Derby Stakes, at Epsom May Meeting,
and the oaks, or filly stakes, the day following, being the first Racer that
has won the two, since the commencement of those stakes, many years
since. The portrait of the Wellesley Arabian also, gives a most spi-
rited and exact representation of that powerful Horse, which I take to be

2 o Persian

282

Persian or Syrian, with a considerable mixture of Arabian blooJ. In
the Plate of Ponies, the Welsh one, is that which last year ran suc-
cessfully from London to Exeter, against the mail coach.

Having introduced so many old pedigrees, I shall finish with that of
the favourite and most successful stallion, of the pressnt times. Sorcerer,
the property of, and bred by. Sir Charles Bunbury, at Great Barton, in
Suffolk. lie is a black Horse, sixteen hands, one inch high, foaled in
1790, got by Trumpator, out of Young Giantess. Trumpator was got by
Conductor, full brother to Dictator, Alfred, &c. out of Brunette, by
Squirrel. Conductor was got by Matchem, dam by Old Snap.
Matchem, as has been said, was got by Old Cade, one of the highest-
bred sons of the Godolphin Arabian, out of a Partner mare. Young
Giantess, the dam also of Eleanor, was got by Sir Charles's Diomed,
grandson of King Herod, through Florizel, out of Giantess, a grand-
daughter of Babram. Thus is centered in Sorcerer, the best blood of
the Byerley Turk, Darley, and Godolphin Arabians, of Basto, Chil-
ders, Partner, Cade, Matchem, Snap, Herod, Squirrel, and most of
our highest-formed racers. He and the rest of Trumpator's stock,
have, doubtless, obtained their characteristic speed from the Squirrel
mare. Brunette, the dam of Trumpator ; and Sorcerer's great size and
substance may have been originally derived from the cross of Babram,
sire of the dam of Giantess. It is most remarkable, that from the
above stallions, Babram and Squirrel, have generally descended to their
remotest progeny, their prominent qualities, size and substance from
the one, and speed from the other. Sorcerer had both great speed and
activity, and ran his course honestly through. Diomed, sire of the
dam of Sorcerer, bred also by Sir Charles Bunbury, was sent to Vir-
''>-inia, at the age of twenty-two, where he has covered a great number
of mares, and was there living, thirty years of age, in 1807. He seems
to have succeeded in that country, the famous Shark. I have been
informed, that Sir Charles refused two thousand guineas for a three-
year-old son of Sorcerer.

Having formerly, in my Treatise on Horses, remarked on the com-
mon error of over-working the Race-horse in his exercise, I shall here

sajf

say a few words on the Bunbury method of training. Sir Charles
Biinbury is a philanthropist in the most general sense of the word, and
his humanity extends to every thing that lives and feels, most jiarticu-
larly to his favourite animal the Horse. It seems to have been his
study in Horse-racing, his ardent pursuit, to bound his gratification by
justice and fairness to the animal which is the object of it. His Horses
are trained \vith such a tender and merciful attention, that their work
is never injurious to their health, or too heavy to consist with the full
enjoyment of their spirits and their powers. And in racing, he suffers
no cruelties with the whip and spur, the very use of which, in fiict, is
inhibited to his jockies, excepting on the most palpable occasions of con-
stitutional sluggishness and indolence in the Horse ; but never does
he allow of cruel cutting, mangling, or goading, on the unjust and absurd
plea of probable, customary, or tiuicied use. With the generous feel-
ing of a true sportsman, he would say, " I will take my risk with the
fair usage of my Horse." Sir Charles prefers short races, as trespassing
less on the powers of the animal, and seldom even tries his Horses four
miles. He observes, that a gentleman has most gratification in a short
race, which he can see from end to end, whereas, the pleasure of a four-
mile heat, is chiefly confined to the jockies who ride, and who can
have no participators, but at the start and the run-in; over a long course,
only at the latter: as an old gentleman once said to me, it is but " There
they go," and " Here they come."

It is objected, that Sir Charles Bunbury does not give his Horses
work enough to enable them to run up to their foot over the course.
Of this I cannot pretend to judge, not having lately seen the Horses
of the honourable baronet in exercise. But of this I am certain, I have
formerly been in the habit of seeing Running-horses hurried off their
legs, and reduced by exercise, so far below the standard of health and
spirits, that it was totally irrational to expect they could retain the ut-
most, either of their speed or powers of continuance, under such treat-
ment. I adhere to my old opinion, that a i)ortion of flesh had better
remain upon the Horse, than be sweated off at the expence of his
tinews and his constitutional strength. Besides, a Horse's form ought

2 o2 to

284

to be sufficiently well known, to determine when he is at his best ; and
if he be so, with a good shew of covering for his bones, the better ;
he will, past all doubt, run the faster for it, and I should have as little
doubt, the longer. Eleanor was not under-trained, since, if I have
been rightly informed, she was so often amiss in her legs. Indeed,
I am inclined to think, that the advocates for severe work, Avould not
have made more of her, than did her present proprietor.

SECTION XXIV.

THE HORSE IN A STATE OF DISEASE SHOEING.

THE Horse, in a domesticated state, is subject to a variety of dis-
eases, some peculiar, but the far greater part hearing a strong analogy
with those which afflict human nature ; hence the veterinary is, or ought
to be, considered as a branch of general medicine, the necessary allow-
ances being made in the case of the Horse, for the bulk, substance, and
constitutional power of the animal. The exceptions to this rule have
been found few and inconsequential. The diseases of Horse s originate
either in severity of labour, neglect, and exposure to the vicissitudes of
the weather, or in luxury and the defect of regular exercise and evacua-
tions. A certain degree of warmth and even clothing, seem conge-
nial with the nature of the Horse, whilst in use ; when left abroad, an
exposure which he can well bear, and with advantage in this climate,
if not too far advanced in years, the land on which he is placed ought
to be dry, with shelter for his occasional recourse. The first care of the
proprietor of a Horse ought to be the prevention of disease ; the next,
an early and effectual a})plication of the remedy.

Horses,

285

Horses, in common with ourselves, are liable to the ill consequences of
over repletion and indigestion; to fevers, catarrh, influenza, rheumatism,
asthma, jaundice, or j^ellows, apoplexy or staggers, colic, obstructions
in the kidneys and urinary bladder, j)soric or itchy eruptions upon the
skin. The generic, or peculiar diseases of the Ilorse.are strangles, grease,
and glanders. He is, beyond all other animals, subject to blindness, and
from the nature and severity of his services, to lameness in the legs,
either from over extension, usually called strain, or rupture of the mus-
cular fibres.

From the invariable tendency of the Horse, confined in the stable at
hard meat, to intestinal accumulation and obstruction, and more espe-
cially, if his exercise be irregular, it is seldom possible to keep him
long in health, without the aidof evacuants. Hence the utility of purg-
ing once or twice a year, with one, two, or three doses, at seven clear
days interval. Aloes have been found for a century past, so perfectly
well adapted to purge the Horse, as to leave us nothing farther to seek.
The aloe is of two kinds, the fine, commonly called Succotrine, and the
coarse, Barbadoes, or Horse Aloes. This last, from its cheapness and
strength, is almost universally given to Horses ; but the succotrine,
equally efficacious if given in a larger quantit}^ more safe, and endowed
with great virtues as a medicine, \ have ever used in my own practice^
and strongly recommended. For the controversy on the subject of aloes,
I refer to my Treatise, in which I have written at large on the Diseases
of the Horse. If thought necessary, the Horse may be prepared for a
purge, by warm bran mashes, and warm water should always be allowed
during the operation. When succotrine aloes are used, there is no ne-
cessity for any other article, excepting merely for the purpose of mak-
ing up the ball, but should the most cooling purge be indicated, add
half an ounce of prepared nitre. Fine aloes never gripe or offend the
most delicate stomach, and the dose is from one ounce to twelve or
fourteen drachms; perhaps a large Cart-horse might require two ounces,
but care must be used, that the Barbadoes are not mistaken for the
fine aloes, whence, perhaps, often mistakes have happened. Of Bar-
badoes aloes, the common dose for a Hack, Hunter, or Race-horse, is
seven drachms, although I suspect, that such a quantity will frequently

i'ail

286

{ail to operate. With the coarse aloes, it ma3^ he necessary to mix a
tea-spoonful or two of powdered ginger, and a table-spoonful of castor
or olive oil. The balls, size of a pigeon's egg, may be twisted up,
and delivered in a jjiece of soft paper, oiled. In the case of a purge not
operating, the Horse being swelled, faint, and sick, give a quart of fhie
warm water-gruel, in which has been mixed a quarter to half a pint ot
fine olive or castor oil, and a gill of foreign brandy. To be repeated, if
needful, with warm mashes. In over purging, a quart of good warm
ale, with a table-spoonful of laudanum; or cordial ball and malt mashes.
Grooms are very ready to give diuretic balls, they spare trouble and
make the Horse's coats look fine : perhaps Glauber salts are the best
diuretic for the Horse, but the trouble of administration is not re-
lished.

For indigestion and foul feeding in the stable, if the Horse be robust,
an ounce of succotrine aloes, with a diachm of calomel ; the same for
worms, the second and third dose being increased in quantity, if need-
ful. The Horse being delicate, and not a great feeder, in indigestion,
give an ounce of succotrine aloes, with the same quantity of Turkey,
rhubarb.

In Fever, nitre and antimonial powder, are our medicinal sheet-an-
chors, together with bleeding, to obviate the inflammatory symptoms.
One ounce of nitre, with honey, or treacle and lemon-juice, may be
given several times a daj^ in warm gruel, or herb tea, balm, or rue.
Or a few tea-spoonfuls of cream of tartar may be used instead of lemon-
juice. Or seven drachms of nitre, Avith one of antimonial powder. Sup-
port the Horse's strength with malt or oat mashes. Keep cool, yet free
from cold, with the girths loose.

In CataRiIH, or Colds, clothe with warm Avoollen, and secure the
Horse from currents of cold air. The first thing to be considered,
but too generally overlooked, is, whether the disease have taken
an inflammatory, or an opposite turn. Medicine has ever been ex-
tremely in the power of fashion, and of late, inflammation in catarrh,
existing or not, is tout a-la-mode ; in consequence, phlebotomy by the
gallon, and debilitating medicines are exclusively ordered. Bej'ond all
doubt, when inflammation is obviously the prominent symptom, ajudi-

cious

287

cious recourse to such measures is indicated, but they are extrcmelv
out of place, in abstraction of the natural heat, with cold breath and shi-
verings, either in the brute or human patient; and I have in both, seen
miserable results from such jjractice, and in the abuse of air, whidi;
however necessary and curative, is often introduced most abruptly and
injudicioush% and even Avith fatal effects. In cold catarrh, common or in-
fluenzal, give, in a quart of warm ale, two table spoonfuls of volatile
aromatic spirit, or spirit of hartsliorn, with a table spoonful of laudaimm.
Repeat as occasion requires. Half an ounce of nitre, or a drachm of
antimonial powder, may be added, if thought necessary to obviate in-
flammation. In coughs and soreness of throat, one pint of decoction of
malt, (sweet-wort) with the same quantity of the infusion of linseed
warm, sweetened with honey and lemon-juice.

The Glanders may be safely defmed Chronic Catarrh, the dis-
charge virulent and infectious; the most profitable cure, death.

Strangles, a critical abscess between the jaw-bones,to which all young
Horses are once liable. Warmth, to promote suppuration and dis-
charge.

Grease, a disease of the stable, from inactivity in the lower limbs, or
want of cleanliness. Some Horses, constitutionally liable to grease in
the legs, or frogs of the feet, when it takes the name of Running-thrush^
Promote the discharge, then cleanse and dry; purges and alterants ;
equal quantities of sulphur and cream of tartar, with two tea-spoonfuls
of ground ginger in each dose, form a good alterative medicine. P'or
BROKEN WIND, and a broken neck, no remedy.

I was astonished to see introduced into a late Veterinary Treatise, a
silly and most cruel presumed remedy for broken wind, as if a late disco-
very, or actually put in practice. It is one of those barbarous fooleries^
to be found in such plenty in old books of farriery, and may be seen,,
word for word, in De Grey,, who wrote two hundred years ago. Dr.
Bracken has quoted it with reprobation.

For the yellows, purge M'ith aloes and calomel, the balls made up-
with Castile soap. Staggers, bleed in proportion to strength. Loose
stable well littered. Gentle purges of fine aloes and rhubarb. If fever
continue, balls of antimonial powder, nitre and camphor. Rowels some-
times-

288

times beneficial. Dry paddock to walk in, clothed, for recovery.
Colic, a quart of warm water-gruel, three gills of castor or olive oil, a
gill of French brandy, and a table-spoonful of laudanum. Keep it co-
vered and warm, if necessary to give it at twice. Back-rake. Repeat
according to need. A purge often necessary after the colic, and in
some cases of obstruction, during the fit, a small quantity of tincture of
aloes is a useful article in the prescription.

Recent Strains. The Horse being young, may be recovered in a
loose stable, by astringent embrocations. Old strains, if at all, reco-
verable abroad. Attempts to cure in the stable, narrow heels and feet
naturally defective, gross imposition. Instead of oiling and stuffing the
feet of Horses, which generally hardens them in the end, the best prac-
tice is soaking the hoofs in water dail}^ warm or cold, ac(;ording to the
occasion. The wear and tear of the hoof in work, is almost universally
sufficient, that in shoeing, scarcely any thing should be pared from the
sole, frog, or binders, excepting to smooth them. The growth of the
frog is ever wanted, that it may, with its natural elasticity, occasionally
touch the earth. The Shoe must be of substance sufficient to bear the
weight of the Horse, but nothing beyond ; of the same length as the
crust, or wall of the hoof, of a surface perfectly flat, both externally and
next the crust to which it is nailed, tapering with a feather-edge towards
the sole. The rim, or web, widest at the toe, and its general width some-
what greater, for a weak foot. Small nails.

INDEX

INDEX

Page

ABORTION 128, 134, 239

Accidents, strays, stolen 136

Adams on Horsemanship 18S

Alops, different species of, dispute on 285

Anecdotes of racers 232

Arabian, Godolphin 67, 107, 273

, Darley 104, 110

■-, Wellesley 281

B

Baret, Michal, our earliest Jockey Writer.

Beringer

Blood, varieties of

Bloody Buttocks

Bloss, llobert, anecdote of.

Blundcville

Book, Stud

Bracken, Dr

Breeders, present great

Breeding

, turf

. crossing 231,238,

counties

Brockesby Betty, and Bonny Black

Bucklumter

BuUon

Bunbury, Sir Cliarles

. , his metiiod of training...

158
11
228
270
222
114
133
271
240
113
219
240
118
264
265
8
273
283

Calendars, racing 217

Carter, George 262

Cluuger 118

Cliifney, Samuel 18,200, 234, 244, 272

Childers, Flving 266

Page

Club, tlieJockey 217

Colds 135

Coursers, Arabian 65, OS

, Barb, &c 73, 226

, errors respecting them 220

, origin of. 222

: , agents for their purchase 224

Crojjping, nicking, &c 138

Cumberland, H. R. H.the Duke of, anecdote of 224

D

Deaths, sudden, of racers 272

Demurrer in Colt-breaking 143

Diseases 285

, indigestion 286

, fever ibid.

, catarrh ibid.

, glanders 287

, strangles ibid.

, grease ibid.

, broken wind ibid.

, yellows ibid.

, staggers ibid.

, strains 288

E

Eclipse 229, 277

Eleanor 281—284

Error respecting the Race Horse 104

, fashionable, in medicine 287

Escape 248

F

Foals, their defects, &c 137

, best docked while sucking 138

, weaned 140

.breaking, castration I4l

— — , paces 145

2 p fox,

I NDCX.

Page

FoN, Mr 2'il

IVainpton, 'rrogonwcll 2J2

riiin'iture, Aoisc '"'^

G

Games, Olympic

Gennets, Spanish

German kill-devil, anecdote of.
Gimcrack

14

n-'o

273

N

Harrier, Merry 270

Highflyer -^0

Horse, his character '^

, native countriesof S

,of the ancients 11,33

, his form -''

, white of Hanover 4j

, modern breeds of 40

. , of America and Britain SO, R2

, form of 124

, age of l-i^

160

— , trimranig of

— , anecdote of a sliy one 162

— , dressing and feeding of. IW

— , watering exercise 166, 167

— , the vicious 20S

— , llie British galloper '-'.'0, 230

_ , choice of. 239

— , marks 26u

. , in a state of disease 284

, his common and peculiar diseases 28j

/description of old English 86

, earlvlaws respecting 90

, exportation of 1 1 1

, character of English il^'d.

, of Britishlndia H2

, modern English varieties 1 17

, old Suffolk punch, and new Suffolk 120,122

. , Galloway and Poney ibid.

Horsemanship '88

, seat 193

, sporting and common 199

, in the trot , 203

. -.ancient IS

Hughes, Charles 204

Humanity, ancient 39

,of the Arabs 69

, exception to 71

, modern 249

Hunter, training of 169

Pag.-

Hunter, choice of. 17 i

Hunting, anliquity of ! l

J

Jockey, how to make 2J9

Juniard 9

K
Keep good its necessity 131

L

Lameness 242

Leaping 170—207

M

Malton bay 277

Management, &c. ancient 16

Marske old 233, 279

Mansfield, Earl of 262

Matchem 276

Matchesold, against time IC2

Medley, John 201

Mcdows, Sir Sidney , ISS

Manege, grand and petit 188

Disadvantages of ...., 204

Demi, recommended 205

General Practice 206

Merlin's famous Match , 254

Mule 9

N

Neesham Miss 209

Newmarket 102

O

O'KjIly, Colonel 265

Osborne Lord, F. G 273

Pedigree 219

. Arabian 225

English 226

Philantrophists, common-place 140

Phipps General, anecdote of 40

Place's M'hite Turk, 101

Poisoning the Racer 248

Pembroke Earl of, 210

Purchase and Warranty 178

Q

Qualifications, paramount isi

Queensbury, Duke of 250 — 200

Hiding

INDEX.

R

Riding, Journey and Management IRl

Expeditious 184

Roger, Spanking 270

Runs abroad 177

Run to win or not? 256

Sampson, admeasurement of 110-

Sandiver, Mr

Shape its consequence

Slioeing

Shark

Skewball and Song

Smithfield

Somerville, Lord 62-

Sorcerer, his Pedigree and Character

Stable loose

Plan for Country Residence

Customs and Duties

. Servants

-■-",'/
230
233
288
280
276
S5
-269
282
153
154
157
159

Slabling of his Royal Highness the Prince of

^Vales i4()

Stallions, Old 103—106

Present jog

and brood Mare i;7

Stubbs 108 274

Studs, Breeding, of the Ancients \'>

T

The Trotter described 170

Tlie Turf-Commencement 95 213

In other countries 213

Subscription Room, Tattersal's 218

Register by Mr. Pick 219

General Stud Book ibid.

Difficulties 233

Training 241—263

Starvation System 246

Barbarismof old 266

Tournaments 42

Trotting Hacks, account of ihid.

Training tlie Trotter ITO

ERRATA.

Page 5, line U read enables.

25 — 7 illeiiia.

27 — 18 Virgil.

59 — 5 sigJiifyn?.

62 near the bottom, consist-v

105, line 1(5, omit sin ruccrs..

110 middle read Clermont.

■ 113 line 12, from bottom, fur has read hiivc.

121 bottom, read si/^fif/il.

131 near bottom, read prfserve.

< ISB line 16, for singular read similar,

139 — 13. for kicked read m-cked.

110 1 , foi on read to.

Page 1R5 line 8, omit the.

204 bottom line, on a cockhorse, omit on.

9115 line 21, a comma at means.

— — 208 • 7 from bottom, for riot read don^

^iiiO — - 16 . read imbneit.

227 13 , add, ihme of.

— — 231 near bottom, read conjoin.

— ■ — 232 13 from bottom, read Damper.

240 — 22 for iu, read of.

251 lait line but one, add it.

2<^3 line II, for these, read those.

—^ — ■ 266 for pedigree-, read pedigrees.

— — 267 line Jl from bottom, read LteJes,—

EKGKAVEDTiTLfi and Vignette, Brood Maf.e, and Foal

Jupiter, late the property of Colonel Thornton, from a capital Painlingby Gilpin. Jupiter died in
IS02. He was got by Ellipse out of tlie famous Tartar Mare, wliicli was supposed to be tliirty-six
rears of age when she foaled Queen Mab. 1 his Mare also bred the dam of Boudrow, anil many Ra-
ters, among which were Antiochus, Venus, Adonis, Lily of the ^ alley, Merrui-y, Volunteer,
Bonny-face, Queen Mab, &;c. by Eclipse, in course, full brothers and sisters to Jupiter. Jupiter was
lilteeii iiand's and half high, with great substance. At three years old, in 1777, he won a sweepstakes
of one hundred guineas, ten subscribers, the last mile of the course, at Lewes ; and the same year, in
the October meeting at Newmarket, a Sweepstakes R. M. same valueand number: speed was liis best.
He broke down at five years old, in running tor the Weights and Scales Plate at Newmarket. To face Vignette.

Inscription Plate to follow Letter-press Title.

The Wellesley Arabian. This Horse, has various marksupon his face, neck, carcase and quarters,
which are generally found upon Horses imported from the East. He is the sire of the Earl of Jersey's
Wliistler, out of Blowing by Buzzard, Dam by PotSos. Whistler, three years old, won last year at
Newmarket, several mileaiid one half-mile match 7j

The GoDOLPHiN Arabian 67

DuNcoMBE, by the Arcot Arabian, a hunter, the property of George Treacher, Esq 1 1.^

Portrait of a Hackney, Roan Billy 42

Portrait of a Charger, and Major-General AVarde 117

CoACH-HoRSEs, the property of Henrij Vilkhois, Esq. with a striking Portrait of David lis

Portrait of Dumpling, a black Gelding and Thill-Horse, the property of A/e.is. Home find Devetj,
Coal-Merchants, London. A specimen of the great Horse of the Midland Counties, appropriated
chiefly to the heavy work of the Metropolis 119

Stabling foraCountry Residence 154

Sir Charles Banbury's Eleanor 281

Eclipse and Shakespeare -29

King Herod and Flying Childers 266

Shetland PoNEY, Forester, and Welch Ponev 282

' WORKS ON RURAL SPORTS, '

Published by JAMES CUN DEE, Albion Press, Loudon.

1
THOUGHTS ON POX AND HARE HUNTING;

Bv PtTEn BtCKFORD, EsQ. ciuLcllished by 1 2 Engravings, by Scott, lOs. 6d. boards. Royal Octavo, I.5s. boaids.

SOMERVHXE'S CHASE;

Al'oem; with Notes and Life of the Aullior ; by Major Tot'imm ; and 8 Engravings ty Scott, Foolscap 8vo. 6s. 6d.

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3

ADAMS'S HORSEMANSHIP.

In 3 vols. 8vo. with numerous Engravings by Scott, '21. 2s. boards.
4

SPORTING ANECDOTES,

Oriuinnl and selecl, including Characteristic Skutclics ot tiniiicnt Tcrsoiis wlio liave appeared on the Turf j with Fion-

li^piece, 7b. buards.

THORNTON'S SPORTING TOUR THROUGH FRANCE.

With upwards of Eighty Engravings; 2 vols Quarto SI. 13s. 6d boards. — Imperial Quarto, hot-pressed, o Guineas boards.

THE SPORTSMAN'S CABINET;

fjubellislied by '24 Engra»ingscf Dogs, by Scott, from Paintings by IIi.inaclf, 2 vols. Quarto, 7 Guineas, boards.

Webster Family Library of Veterinary iviedicine
Cummings School of Veteiinary Medicine dl
Tufts University

Onn Wlacihnrn DnoH

%■ ^ ,.-7