OATS—are the well-known farinaceous grain which is the principal food
and support of horses in constant work. After various experiments by
NATURALISTS, and the most celebrated AGRICULTURISTS, they are found to
convey a greater portion of nutriment to the frame, and invigoration to
the system, at less expence, than any other kind of food whatever. The
advantages of obtaining the heaviest in weight, the brightest in colour,
and the sweetest in hand, are too self-evident to require a single line
in elucidation. Oats _newly_ housed, and _newly_ threshed, should be
avoided, if possible: not having acquired their proper firmness by TIME,
they are more disposed to _fermentation_ when mixed with the juices in
the stomach, and then propel the contents of the intestines in a state
little short of liquefaction, by their own laxative property. When, from
any temporary scarcity, or local consumption, _old_ OATS _cannot_ be
procured, and necessity compels the _use_ of _new_, a few beans may be
added; these, by their restringent and nutritious property, will check
the effect of the new oats, and prevent the debilitating laxity just
described.
OBERON—is a horse of some recent celebrity: he was bred by MR.
HUTCHINSON, and foaled in 1790; he was got by _Highflyer_, dam (_Queen
Mab_) by _Eclipse_, out of a TARTAR mare. In 1793, when three years old,
he won the GOLD CUP at DONCASTER, value 100 guineas; beating _Cayenne_,
_Ninety-three_, _Skypeeper_, _Restless_, _Flora_, and _Chigwell_. The
same day he won the DONCASTER STAKES of 10 guineas each, thirteen
subscribers; beating _Huby_, _Restless_, and _Yarico_. In 1794 he won at
YORK, a subscription of 25 guineas each, seven subscribers; beating
_Yarico_, _Huby_, and _Tantararara_. In the same week he won the great
SUBSCRIPTION PURSE of 277_l._ 10_s._ 0_d._ beating _Patriot_, _Yarico_,
_Young Diomed_, _Rosalie_, _Camphire_, and _Champion_. At MALTON he was
beat in a sweepstakes of 20 guineas each, by Lord Fitzwilliam's
_Evelina_, a three-year old by _Highflyer_, who carried but 5st. 10lb.
to whom he ran _second_: the odds were very high in his favour at
starting; and whether he sustained an injury is not publicly known, but
he was then withdrawn from the turf.
OFF-SIDE.—The _right_-side of a HORSE, if you stand parallel with him,
and look the same way, is the OFF-SIDE; as the _left_ is the NEAR-SIDE.
When speaking of any part of a horse, it is not usual, in sporting
terms, to use the words right or left; but to say the _near_-shoulder;
the _off_-eye; the _near_-leg BEFORE, or the _off_-leg behind.
ONION—is an article which would not have found its way here, but in
consequence of its great utility upon a certain emergency, which
entitles its property to be more universally known. No trifling
occurrence can possibly occasion more temporary mortification to a
SPORTSMAN, than to see his horse labouring under the STRANGURY (or
suppression of urine) after the long stage of a journey, or the severity
of a chase. In such cases, the first FARRIER is generally called in, who
proceeding upon the "KILL or CURE" system of former times, prepares a
_potion_ of the most powerful urinary stimulants, plentifully
_besprinkled_ with SPIRITS of TURPENTINE, oil of juniper, and other
equally _mild_ and _efficacious_ ingredients, frequently laying the
foundation of inflammation; when an onion being peeled, and a small
clove or two of the inside properly insinuated within the SHEATH, may
nineteen times out of twenty be expected to produce the desired effect,
without the interposition of any medicine whatever.
OPENING THE HEELS.—The ceremony of opening a horse's heels is sometimes
necessary, when they are become _contracted_ by so constantly standing
upon the dry litter, and hot dung of stables, in the Metropolis; a
circumstance which occurs much _less_ in the country, where the defect
is but _little_ known. Although there can be no doubt of a hoof's
contracting in a great degree by the means already mentioned, it must be
more so, where the hoofs are not OILED or STOPPED for _weeks_, or,
probably, _months_ together. It is, however, a matter of doubt, whether
the _back-handed_ stroke of the smith's _rasp_ in SHOEING, is not a more
constant or frequent cause of the narrowness of the heels than any
other. Let it arise from whatever cause, the remedy with them is always
ready; "OPEN THE HEELS;" or, in other words, _cut away_; first with the
BUTTRESS, and then with the _drawing-knife_, till _little_ or _nothing_
is left to cut: when the basis of bearing is taken away, the _heel_ is
let down to the _ground_, the TENDONS are put upon the STRETCH, the
horse, being divested of his natural support, _hobbles_ like a cripple,
and there is no remedy, but to wait with patience for a perfect
regeneration of parts so wantonly destroyed.
OPODELDOC—is an article of external use in STRAINS, BRUISES, and other
complaints, as well with the human species as with the brute creation.
It is prepared by dissolving three ounces of SPANISH SOAP, and one ounce
of CAMPHIRE, in a pint of SPIRIT of ROSEMARY. Others dissolve the soap
and camphire in rectified spirits of wine, adding OIL of ORIGANUM, and
other essential oils. Its excellent properties are universally admitted
in its various applications to the human frame; but doubts naturally
arise how far it may contribute any great portion of EFFICACY to HORSES,
or to any other animal, where the soap again coagulates, and constitutes
so matted a mass upon the surface, that it is only with persevering
difficulty the hair can be disunited even at the _second_ application.
ORIGANUM, OIL OF,—is a well-known essential oil, extracted from the
plant whose name it bears: it is an admirable collateral corroborant,
when incorporated with judicious proportions of such other medicines as
are proper for STRAINS, or a _relaxed_ state of the TENDONS. If used in
too great quantities, or added to heterogeneous articles, it disunites
itself almost immediately; and, instead of executing the office of a
gentle STIMULANT, penetrating the pores, assumes the power of the milder
class of CAUSTICS, occasioning an eschar upon the part impregnated,
terminating with a loss of hair.
OROONOKO—was one of the most celebrated horses of his time: he was bred
by the late LORD PORTMORE; was got by _Crab_ out of _Miss Slamerkin_;
foaled in 1743; and was own brother to _Othello_, the famous _Black and
all Black_.
OTHELLO—was the first name of that justly celebrated HORSE, so firmly
fixed in the memory of every old SPORTSMAN of the present generation, by
the more distinguished appellation of _Black and all Black_. He was bred
by the late LORD PORTMORE; was got by _Crab_ out of _Miss Slamerkin_,
who was got by _True Blue_. He was foaled in 1745, and was esteemed the
first racer of his time, producing afterwards, as a STALLION, some very
famous runners.
OTTER.—This is called an amphibious animal, living (to a certain degree
and length of time) with as much seeming ease in the water, as he does
upon land. It is, however, well ascertained, that he cannot exist long
_under_ the _water_, without occasionally reaching the surface for
necessary respiration. The favourite and principal food of the otter is
fish, of which he consumes, or rather _destroys_, a very considerable
quantity in the neighbourhood of wherever he fixes his residence. This
is formed under ground, in the bank of river or lake, and constructed
with so much precaution, circumspection, and sagacity, that not without
great difficulty can it be discovered. Although fish, in the genial
months of summer, are known to be his pleasurable pursuit, and chief
subsistence, yet, in the _severe_ and _frosty_ season, he is not without
his alternatives, and will then condescend to make a repast upon some
one or other of the smaller animals with which the fox indulges himself
at all seasons of the year.
OTTER-HUNTING,—a sport at present so little pursued, was formerly in
constant practice, and is said to have been _then_ in great estimation:
it is, however, to be presumed, it was in less enlightened times, and
long before the different chases of STAG, FOX, and HARE, held forth a
speedy prospect of their present perfection. Hounds were then kept and
trained for the purpose; and as some proof of the stupidity of the
sport, or the somniferous dispositions of those who pursued (or enjoyed)
it, an account of the CHASE, if worthy to be termed so, is here
literally transcribed from Mr. Daniels' recent publication.
"The sportsmen went on each side the river, beating the banks and sedges
with the dogs; if there was an otter in that quarter, his _seal_ was
soon traced upon the mud, as the water, wherever it would admit of it,
was lowered as much as possible, to expose the hollow banks, reed-beds
and stubs that might otherwise shelter him: each hunter had a spear to
attack the otter when he _vented_, or came to the surface of the water
to breathe. If an otter was not soon found by the river-side, it was
imagined he was gone to _couch_ more inland, and was sought for
accordingly; (for sometimes they will feed a considerable distance from
their place of rest, choosing rather to go up than down the stream.) If
the hounds found an otter, the sportsman viewed his track in the mud, to
find which way he had taken. The spears were used in aid of the dogs.
When an otter is wounded, he makes directly to land, where he maintains
an obstinate defence: he bites severely, and does not readily quit his
hold: when he seizes the dogs in the water, he always dives with, and
carries them far below the surface: an old one will never give up while
he has life; and it is observable, that the _male_ otter never makes any
complaint when seized by the dogs, or transfixed with a spear; but the
pregnant females emit a very shrill squeal." This sport, as it is called
by those who profess themselves its admirers, is still continued in many
remote, fenny, and watery districts; but in general is principally
confined to those parts where, from local circumstances, the other more
noble and exhilarating distinctions of the chase cannot be enjoyed.
OVER-DONE.—A horse is said to be over-done, when both his FRAME and
SPIRITS are so exhausted with fatigue and excessive labour, that he
sinks down in his stall almost immediately after reaching the stable;
where he extends himself at every extremity, giving evident proof of the
struggles nature has to encounter, by the bodily disquietude under which
he continues distressed for many _hours_, and sometimes DAYS, before he
becomes perfectly recovered. When a horse is reduced to this state, by a
too long continuance at slow or steady work, no doubt of recovery need
be entertained with a few days nursing; but if it has been occasioned by
a continued and persevering speed with hounds, and a long journey home,
danger may be apprehended: instances are infinite, where internal
inflammations have arisen, by which existence has soon been destroyed.
OVER-REACH.—An over-reach is such injury (either cut or bruise) as is
frequently sustained in the heel of a horse's FORE-FOOT, by one of the
SHOES BEHIND; and this happens during brisk action, in either TROT or
GALLOP, where the ground is unexpectedly _deep_ and deceptive: or when a
horse is thick in the shoulders, and slow in action _before_, the
hind-quarters are thrown in faster than the fore-legs can get out of the
way, by which inactive, or sluggish tardiness, the accident is
occasioned much oftener than by any other means.
When neglected, or unattended to, if the injury is severe, ill
consequences may ensue; the first step to prevent which is, to wash the
part well with warm water, slightly impregnated with vinegar: press upon
the wound a linen cloth till quite dry, then apply a pledget of _lint_
or _tow_, well wetted with FRIAR'S BALSAM, or compound TINCTURE of
MYRRH, covering it securely with a proper bandage, with a view to harden
the surface, which is the leading object to be attained. This may be
repeated the following day, if necessary, to farther close the mouths of
such lacerated vessels as continue to ooze a _lymph_ or _ichor_. If,
however, the cut should be of such magnitude as to resist these means of
intentional termination, it must be treated as a WOUND, and the horse
not permitted to encounter WORK or _dirt_ during its progress and cure.
No greasy or unctuous applications should be made, if it can possibly be
done without; as the best and most expeditious cure will be made by
hardening the surface, and preventing a discharge; unless there is a
deep destruction of parts, in which case it cannot be obtained but by
incarnation.
ORMOND,—a horse of much recent racing celebrity, bred by MR. WENTWORTH
in the north of England, was foaled in the year 1789; got by _King
Fergus_; dam (_Miss Cornforth_) by _Matchem_; grand-dam by _Sampson_;
and great grand-dam by _Regulus_. In the Craven Meeting at Newmarket,
1792, he ran second to _John Bull_ for the great produce stakes of 200
guineas each, across the flat, half forfeit, thirty-five subscribers;
beating _Hotspur_, _Whiskey_, _St. Paul_, _Lucifer_, _Guildford_, and
others. The same year, at YORK, he walked over for a sweepstakes of 100
guineas each, five subscribers. In 1793, at YORK, he won a sweepstakes
of 100 guineas each, fourteen subscribers. In 1794, at YORK, he won a
fifty pound plate, added to a subscription purse of 227_l._ 10_s._ 0_d._
four miles, beating five others. In 1795, he won, at YORK, a
subscription of 25 guineas each, eight subscribers. The next day but two
he won the great subscription purse, value 277_l._ 10_s._ 0_d._ beating
_Chariot_, _Constant_, and _Screveton_. After which he appeared but
twice on the turf, becoming a STALLION at five guineas each mare, and
five shillings the groom.
OVERTON,—another son of _King Fergus_, dam by _Herod_, grand-dam by
_Snip_, great grand-dam own sister to _Regulus_, was bred by MR.
HUTCHINSON, and foaled in 1788. At York, in 1792, he won a sweepstakes
of 100 guineas each, half forfeit, twelve subscribers. The same week he
won a fifty-pound plate, added to a subscription purse, beating
_Rosalind_, _Storm_, _Halbert_, and two others. The next day he beat
_Halbert_ a match four miles, for 300 guineas, giving him a stone. At
DONCASTER he won the GOLD CUP of 100 guineas value; beating _Huby_,
_Rosalind_, _Smoaker_, _Gentleman_, and _Colchis_. At YORK, 1794, he
beat _Halbert_ two miles for 200 guineas. After which he was taken out
of training, and became a STALLION at Skipton, near York, at TEN GUINEAS
a mare. He is the sire of those famous horses _Cockfighter_ and _Rolla_,
bidding fair to become of more considerable celebrity.