TAIL.—Upon the uniform shape and setting on of a horse's tail, his
_good_ or _ill_ appearance greatly depends. When the spine is continued
in a curvilinear direction beyond the rump, and the basis of the tail is
formed _too low_ in the quarters, the horse is termed "goose-rumped;"
and no _nicking_, or _setting_, will ever give him the figure of a
handsome horse _behind_. It has been a long-standing maxim, that "a good
horse can't be of a bad colour;" and there may probably be some who
think a good horse can't have a _bad tail_; but a little experience, in
buying and selling, will convince them, that the difference between the
two will be little less than _ten_ or _fifteen_ pounds in a horse of no
more than fifty pounds value. Great losses are sometimes sustained for
want of a little circumspection at the moment of making a purchase; and
this may sometimes proceed from the horse's having some peculiar points
of attraction, in the fascinating survey of which the defects are
totally absorbed; hence arises the pecuniary deficiency when the subject
becomes again to be sold, particularly if to a more prudent and less
hasty purchaser. The old sportsman, when going to _buy_, looks at the
horse as if it was really his _own_, and he was going to _sell_; in
doing which, he estimates his _saleable_ value with an eye of greater
accuracy, makes a tolerably fair calculation what he ought with
consistency to _bid_, that he may sustain no great loss, should he have
future occasion to sell.
TARTAR—was an excellent racer, and the most celebrated stallion of his
time. He was bred by MR. LEEDES, foaled in 1743; was got by _Partner_,
out of _Meliora_, who was got by _Fox_, out of _Milkmaid_. _Tartar_ was
sire of the famous _King Herod_, _Beaufremont_, _Miner_, and Colonel
O'Kelly's mare the dam of _Maria_, _Antiochus_, _Venus_, _Jupiter_,
_Mercury_, _Volunteer_, &c. &c.
_Tartar_, called Wildman's _Tartar_, was a horse of some note likewise;
he was bred by Sir J. Moore, foaled in 1758, and got by the above, out
of _Miss Meredith_, who was got by _Cade_ out of the little Hartley Mare.
TARTAR EMETIC—is one of the most powerful, and, in respect to horses,
one of the most prostituted medicines in the whole MATERIA MEDICA: its
name here is only introduced, and its properties described, that the
SPORTING WORLD, as well as individuals, may be sufficiently guarded
against its dangerous effects, if injudiciously administered, or
secretly brought into use, by practitioners of little knowledge, and
less celebrity, who, knowing no more of its preparation than its name,
know less of its _effects_ than its preparation. With farriers or
veterinarians of this description, it is become a favourite medicine
upon so many occasions, that it stands entitled to a fair, candid, and
unequivocal investigation. EMETIC TARTAR, when administered to the human
frame, with a design of producing the forcible effect of a strong
emetic, has never, by professional men, of the most learned,
distinguished, and experienced ability, exceeded _six_ or _seven_; and
in truly critical cases of dangerous emergency, _eight_ grains may have
been given. _Ten_ grains have been known to operate so violently as to
excite _convulsions_; _twelve_, to occasion DEATH.
Amidst such incontrovertible facts, it naturally becomes a serious
consideration, that men, knowing nothing of the property of medicine,
should have the unrestrained privilege and permission of bringing into
use articles of so much dangerous magnitude, not only without knowing
their _basis_, _preparation_, and peculiar _properties_, but without the
power of prognosticating their _probable_ effects. It is a circumstance
worthy the attention of those possessing a number of horses for either
business or pleasure, (who must consequently have some occasionally
labouring under disease,) how far it may be safe, proper, consistent, or
discreet, to give a horse _half an ounce_ of TARTAR EMETIC at _one_
dose, which, according to the above ascertained facts, will, if divided
accurately into equal proportions, (and the experiments made,) take away
the _lives_ of _twenty_ men. Those who have ignorantly adopted this
practice, as ignorantly and obstinately assert the _impossibility_ of
its doing _any harm_; without either not possessing the knowledge, or
not giving themselves time to recollect, that if _seven_ or _eight_
grains will distress and exhaust the human frame, by every kind of
violent and sensible evacuation, to the appearance of, and in some cases
to actual death; what must be the internally destructive ravages of
twenty (or thirty) times that quantity, thrown into the frame of an
animal, who, not having, like the human species, power to regurgitate,
or throw off the offending consequence by _vomit_, has no alternative,
but to stand a comparative barrel of combustibles, ready to burst with
the effervescent conflagration raised within, and which must, in a
variety of cases, be evidently productive of certain death. But such
practitioners have no character to _support_, no reputation to _lose_;
and they likewise well know, that _dead_ horses, any more than _dead
men_, tell no tales.
TEAL—is a well-known wild fowl, much esteemed for the table. A teal is
of the form, shape, and make of the wild duck and widgeon, but a degree
smaller than the latter, which is equally so from the former.
TEETH—are the arrangement of small bones in the mouth of a horse, for
the particular purpose of mastication; and by which the AGE also may be
ascertained. (See COLT.) The teeth are of a much harder texture than any
other bones in the body, which seems to have been necessary for the
execution of the office they are assigned by Nature. A horse come to
maturity, is in possession of forty teeth, (including the tushes,) which
are thus distinguished: four-and-twenty of these are called _grinders_,
and situate on the sides of the upper and lower jaws above the _tushes_,
and are of no use in discovering the age. With respect to the other
sixteen, twelve of them are called _colt's teeth_ till upwards of two
years old, (when they begin to shed;) and the remaining four are
denominated _tushes_; but _they_ never make the least appearance till
rising, or full five years old. The twelve colt's teeth are six in front
above, and the same below; four of these (that is, two above, and two
below) exfoliate annually, beginning at the middle two, and continue
shedding the neighbouring two in succession for the next two years, till
they are succeeded by the entire new set in front, when the horse is
five years old.
These new teeth, upon their appearance, are distinguished by different
appellations: the first four are called _nippers_; the next, _middle
teeth_; and the last, _corner teeth_. The four nippers are the centrical
four, (that is, two _above_, and two _below_:) these he sheds when about
two years and a half old, varying a little in the time, according as he
may have been an early or a backward colt. The middle teeth, as they are
called, one on each side the nippers above and below, exfoliate, and are
followed by others about the same time the following year, when the colt
is three and a half, (called, rising four:) in this state the teeth
continue till the decline of the following year, when the corner teeth
are shed likewise, and it is then said, he has lost all his colt's
teeth: when the successors to the corner teeth are full shelled on both
sides, the horse has then completed his fifth year. It is a practice
with DEALERS in general, so soon as they have purchased a _four year
old_ in a country fair, to immediately _wrench out_ the corner teeth
with _a key_, or some other convenient instrument, that its successor
may have the credit of spontaneous appearance, upon which the horse is
sold to an inexperienced purchaser as a FIVE YEAR OLD, though, in
reality, no more than _four_.
The horse having completed his fifth year, will have a black cavity in
every tooth _above_ and _below_: but the inner edge of the five year old
tooth at the corners, is not completely grown up till the last half of
the sixth year, as may be seen by a reference to the Plate, Fig. 3;
"_Rising Six_." When the horse is about four or five months beyond his
sixth year, which is called _six off_, the black mark in the centrical
teeth fill up by degrees; those standing next, fill up next in the same
way; and in faint succession one pair to the other, till, at the seventh
year, (when the horse is said to be _aged_,) the mark is fairly retained
in only the corner teeth, which continues to decline during the year,
and is generally obliterated by the time the horse is eight years old.
The tushes begin to appear about four, or between that and the fifth
year; they display themselves one above and one below, on each side, at
a little distance from the corner teeth, without having been preceded by
any colt's teeth in _that spot_ since they were foaled. After a horse is
eight years old, his age can only be guessed at by the length, and worn
edges, of his teeth; which may always be nearly ascertained by any
person a little accustomed to the examination.
TENDONS—are the elastic covering of the muscles, composed of an infinity
of fibres, which, in their aggregate, form a substance of great
strength, and appropriate contraction and elongation, for all the
purposes of expansion and flexibility. The tendons in a horse most
liable to injury and accident, are those passing down the shank-bone of
the fore-legs, from nearly the back of the knee, to their seat of
insertion at the fetlock joint, which are in general known by the name
of the _back sinews_. These, and the accidents to which they are liable,
have been so fully treated on under the heads of LAMENESS and SPRAINS,
that enlarging here would only prove a repetition superfluous and
unnecessary. A wounded or punctured tendon, by thorn, stub,
stable-prong, or with any other instrument, is always attended with
excruciating pain, and violent inflammation, producing the most
dangerous symptoms. In such cases it has been too much the practice to
have immediate recourse to turpentine, and other spirituous
applications, which is only adding _fuel_ to the FIRE, and rendering the
_remedy_ worse than the DISEASE. Warm, mild fomentations, emollient
poultices, gentle digestives upon lint covered with tow, and recourse to
the most judicious and experienced practitioner to be obtained,
constitute the only sound basis upon which even _hope_ of recovery can
be entertained; as most cases of the kind, if serious and severe, have a
very unfavourable termination; those few subjects who seem completely
restored, being ever after incapable of any work of consequence, ranking
only as invalids.
TERMS IN SPORTING—are, in general, the same through every part of the
kingdom; except some few provincial deviations in distant districts,
remote from the centrical parts near the Metropolis. When going out with
hounds in the morning, and reaching the place of meeting, we _throw_ off
(or _cast_ off) the hounds; we _rouse_ a deer, _unkennel_ a fox, or
_start_ a hare. When a hound challenges who can be relied upon, he has
taken _scent_ of a deer, _drag_ of a fox, or _trail_ of a hare. If a
hound _quests_ (that is, gives tongue) without a cause, he is said to
_babble_. After finding, if the _scent_ lies well, and the hounds run
together, the scent is said to be _breast-high_. When, during the chase,
the hounds (in consequence of bad, dry, or stormy weather) are often at
fault, and the huntsman is under the necessity of adverting to whatever
advantages and assistance he can obtain, he has, perhaps, no other
alternative, than to avail himself of the _track_ of whatever GAME he
has in pursuit; in either of which chases, he _slots_ a deer, he _foots_
a fox, or he _pricks_ a hare.
It was formerly the custom to say a _kennel_ of hounds; of beagles a
_pack_: it is now more usual to call them indiscriminately a kennel of
hounds, when in the kennel; but all are equally called a pack in the
field. Of greyhounds, pointers, and spaniels, when speaking of numbers,
it is right to say a _brace_, (for two;) a _leash_ of greyhounds, a
_brace_ and _half_ of pointers and spaniels, (for three;) and two brace
of either, for four. When a deer, during the chase, gets into the water,
he is then said _to take soil_: when so hard run, and so much distrest,
that he turns round, and faces the hounds, he is then said to _stand at
bay_. The head of the fox, when killed, is called the _front_, (in some
parts, the _scalp_;) his feet, _pads_; and his tail, the _brush_; which
is the distinguishing trait of honour for the day, that every fearless
foxhunter rides for. When the game leaves covert, it is said to have
_gone away_: when, in the heighth of the chase, the game makes a short
turn to the right or left, and the hounds come to a fault, by having
over-run the scent, the game is then said to have _headed_: if that is
returned in a parallel line with the original chase, it is called a
_double_; and if it is brought again directly into the old _track_, it
is called running _the soil_.
Hounds at the commencement of a season, after so long a confinement and
restraint, are inclined to chase every thing they see, or scent from a
_pig_ to a _polecat_, in all which cases they are said to _run riot_.
Hounds _draw_ for a fox; they _try_ for a hare. When greyhounds are
removed from one country to another, they travel with _collars_; hounds
in _couples_. In shooting terms, we say, a _brace_ of hares, a _leash_
of pheasants, and _two brace_ of partridges; a _brace_ of snipes, a
_couple and half_ of woodcocks, and _two couple_ of rabbits.
TERRIER.—The terrier may naturally be concluded to have derived his name
from the avidity with which he takes the earth; particularly when in
pursuit of his _own_ game, which is vermin of every kind, without
distinction. To the fox, badger, polecat, weasel, rat, and even the poor
domestic cat, the terrier is a most implacable enemy. For the purposes
of BADGER BAITING, they have, by the lower classes, been crossed, and
bred _in_ and _in_ with the bull-dog, which has enlarged the produce of
those crosses, and increased the natural ferocity, as a greater stimulus
to that particular sport now so fashionable with the sons of the
cleaver, since the practice of BULL-BAITING has been so happily upon the
decline. The genuine and lesser breed of terrier is employed in a
business, to which, by his size, his fortitude, persevering strength,
and invincible ardour, he seems more peculiarly adapted, and may be most
truly said "to labour cheerfully in his vocation." This is, in his
subordinate attendance upon the chase, where, like distinguished
personages in a procession, though _last_, he is not the _least_ in
consequence.
TERRIERS of even the _best blood_ are now bred of all colours; red,
black, (with tan faces, flanks, feet, and legs;) brindled sandy; some
few, brown pied, white pied, and pure white; as well as one sort of each
colour, rough and wire-haired; the others, soft and smooth; and, what is
rather extraordinary, the latter not much deficient in courage with the
former; but the _rough breed_ must be acknowledged the most severe and
invincible biter of the two. Since fox-hunting is so deservedly and
universally popular in every county where it can be enjoyed, these
faithful little animals have become so exceedingly fashionable, that few
stables of the independent are seen without them. Four and five guineas
is no great price for a handsome, well-bred terrier; and a very short
time since, seven puppies were sold at the Running-horse livery-stables,
in Piccadilly, for _one-and-twenty_ guineas; and _these_, at this time,
is as true a breed of the small sort as any in England.
With every established pack of fox-hounds there is seldom to be seen
less than _a brace_ of terriers; and, for the best of reasons, one is
generally larger and stronger than the other; in a small earth, where
one cannot enter, the other may. With the hounds, in endeavouring to
find, as well as during the chase, their exertions are incessant and
indefatigable; and although the fleet pack shall be carrying the scent
breast high at the top of their speed, these instinctive devotees to the
sport are seldom far behind them. When a fox is run to _earth_, it is
the province of the terrier to follow, and _lay at him_; as, by the
baying of one at the other, the ear will soon be informed, whether the
fox lays _deep_, or near the _surface_; and those who are employed in
digging him out, will be enabled and encouraged to proceed accordingly.
In fidelity, sagacity, courage, as well as the most incredible endurance
of fatigue and hunger, they are inferior to no one particular tribe of
the canine species.
THRUSHES—are defects in the centrical part of the frogs, which having,
by neglect, been permitted to get into a _rotten_ and _decayed_ state,
they ooze from the middle a most offensive acrid ichor; and this, unless
it is properly cleansed and counteracted, will continue to corrode the
parts underneath, till the foundation of the frog is totally destroyed.
It has been, and still is, too much the practice with the ignorant and
illiterate, to oppose the efforts of Nature, instead of rendering her
judicious and necessary assistance. VITRIOLIC solutions, VERDIGREASE,
and ALUM, are the favourite _infallibles_ with the common farrier, the
coachman, and the groom; but to those of more comprehensive minds, and
complying dispositions, perfect cleansings, with sponge and water,
followed by simple white wine vinegar, and compound tincture of myrrh,
will be found sufficient, if properly persevered in.
TIRING is so bad a quality in any horse, in fact, a circumstance so
little likely to occur, that, when it does happen, (unless by some
improper, cruel, or immoderate riding,) indisposition, or latent
internal defect, may be naturally looked to as the particular cause. In
all cases of this kind, bleeding, a cordial ball, a malt mash, and a
little nursing, seem the only means most likely to promote a speedy
restoration of strength and spirits.
TOBY—was a horse of much recent celebrity as a RACER, and has since
covered as a STALLION in some estimation. He was bred by MR. BULLOCK;
was got by _Highflyer_, dam by _Matchem_. In 1789, when three years old,
he won 100 guineas at Newmarket, 200 guineas at Epsom, and 1100 guineas
at York, beating six others. In 1790, he beat _Euphrosyne_ across the
flat at Newmarket for 500 guineas. The next Meeting he beat Sir W.
Aston's _Marcia_, the same Course, 200 guineas. In 1791, he did not
start. In 1792, Craven Meeting, Newmarket, he again beat _Euphrosyne_
the two year old course, 200 guineas. The next day but one, he won the
great Oatlands Stakes of 100 guineas, fifty-six subscribers, _half
forfeit_; beating _Coriander_, _Asparagus_, _Eager_, _Precipitate_,
_Stride_, _Highlander_, _Buzzard_, _Rhadamanthus_, _Vermin_,
_Turnip-Top_, and nine others. The next Meeting he received 75 guineas
forfeit from _Alderman_, and 50 guineas from _Exciseman_; at the
expiration of which season he was withdrawn from the turf, and
advertized as a stallion, to cover racing mares _gratis_, and others at
two guineas, and half a crown.
TOILS.—Park nets, of great strength and magnitude, are so called. They
are used in taking deer alive, for removal from one park to another; or
from his Majesty's parks to the hunting paddocks at Swinley Lodge, in
Windsor Forest, for the purposes of the chase.
TONGUE.—The tongue of a horse is sometimes lacerated by the bit of the
bridle being too narrow in the mouth-piece; as also by the frequent
_petulant_ jerks of the rider. These, which are slight in the first
instance, are occasionally repeated, till they become perfect cadaverous
ulcers, with a slough (similar to a sitfast) in the middle of each. In
cases of this description, the tongue should be held on one side, while
the part is daily touched with a strong _solution_ of _borax_ in water,
till the slough is fallen off; when it may be soon cured with equal
parts of honey and tincture of myrrh, well incorporated with each other.
TRACK—is the term used to imply the _footmark_ of either man or beast;
but, in the language of the field, it admits of some deviations. We
_track_ a man, a horse, an ox, or an ass; we _slot_ a deer; we _foot_ a
fox; and we _prick_ a hare.
TRAIL, or TRAILING,—appertains solely to HARE HUNTING; by which, in
general, the hare is found and _started_ from her _form_. Soon after
hounds are _thrown off_, some one or more are quickly observed to _give
tongue_; this the old and best hounds immediately attend to, and
instantly join, which is called _taking trail_: but whether such trail
arises from perspirative particles adhering to the line of her works
during the night from her feet only, or whether it is produced from the
lungs by transpiration, and only partially exhaled, is a matter that has
never yet been satisfactorily ascertained. See SCENT.
When it was the custom formerly to take the field so soon as the
horsemen could see to ride, _trail_ was the sure and certain means by
which the hare was found: in a few minutes after the hounds were thrown
off, a general clamour of trail ensued, and the inexpressible
gratification of seeing all the clue of her night-work unravelled to _a
view_, was sport much superior to a bad chase. Trail is of much less
import now, when harriers (at least, in the centrical part of the
kingdom) are seldom known to take the field before ten or eleven o'clock
in the day, when the very slight and partial remains of trail can be but
of small avail: the sole reliance now principally depends upon drawing
over the ground most likely, according to the season, with the chance of
having a hare found sitting, or the greater probability of her jumping
up before them. The paltry custom of _field money_ for hares _found
sitting_, has very considerably warped the judgment from the
sporting-like practice of finding the hare by _trailing_ up to her; for
the huntsman and whipper-in having caught the _pecuniary_ infection, are
poking and prying in every bush, in a hope and eager expectation of
obtaining a few shillings, instead of attending to their hounds.
TRAIN SCENTS,—formerly so called, but now more frequently termed
_drags_, are means by which young hounds may be first entered with old
hounds; a body of hounds exercised upon heaths or commons, soon after
dawn of day in the summer season: or bets may be decided upon the speed
of either HOUNDS or HORSES, by means of such _drag_ or _train scent_.
They are of different kinds, and very few hounds will refuse to hunt
them: when the scent lies well, the wind is still, and the atmosphere
free from variation by storms or rain, they will carry it _breast high_.
The skin of hare or fox, newly killed; a slice of bacon, and a red
herring firmly united; or either, plentifully impregnated with _oil_ of
_aniseed_; will lead hounds in full cry across any country over which
the drag is directed.
TRAINING.—The process of training horses for the TURF was formerly
plain, simple, open, and free from mystery or ambiguity. Circumstances,
however, are so altered, and fashions have so changed, that a
training-stable exceeds in _secrecy_ the inmost recesses of his
Majesty's Councils, upon which the prosperity and peace of so great a
nation entirely depend. A training-stable is, in the opinion of those
who conduct them, the very summit of earthly dignity and _imaginary_
consequence. The "insolence of office," so emphatically alluded to by
our immortal bard, cannot with justice be better applied than to this
immaculate _mart_ of _integrity_, this delectable haven of sublime and
_unsullied_ perfection. Those noblemen and gentlemen whose opulence and
liberality command respect, are entitled to insure it; but it is
frequently and publicly seen upon the common race course, that they are
_gratefully_ treated by their own pampered and subordinate _harpies_,
with the most consummate confidence, and upon many occasions (if their
own judgments are opposed, or opinions thwarted) with the most
_contemptuous_ indifference. Thus it is even with the great and
independent, who have no sooner relinquished their horses to the
superintendance of _others_, than they have resigned their _free agency_
also; and it becomes almost a crime to offer _an opinion_, or to ask _a
question_: the etiquette of professional secresy must by no means be
assailed; and it is only as matter of favour, that a man can get a sight
of his _own_ horse, or obtain _authentic_ information of the real state
of his condition: if the owner (unless he is of _the family_) presumes
to obtrude a question, he will not be so likely to receive an
unequivocal answer, as one of the most _deminutive_ stable-boys.
The _morality_ and aggregate of _virtues_ so peculiarly appertaining to
the profession, being placed in the back-ground of the picture;
admitting in this, as in all others, that there are men of strict honor,
and unsullied integrity, who do not deviate from the path of rectitude
in private transactions; yet the broad road of _temptation_ is a
dangerous track, and very few there are who are able to withstand it. It
is a long-standing maxim, that "those who play at bowls must expect
rubs:" so those who make the embarkation, must abide the consequence.
Certain it is, that the business (or rather _art_) of TRAINING, was
never before brought to its present pitch of perfection; but the expence
is (with the collaterals attendant upon it) so _enormous_, that nothing
but an immensity of wealth can stand against it. Training has of late
years undergone many changes, and much refinement; but in none more than
the early age at which COLTS and FILLIES are brought to the _post_. Very
far within the knowledge of the present generation, no colt was ever
taken in hand till he was three years old to be made quiet for breaking;
and he was never thought capable of being brought to the post for a
racing contest, previous to some part of his fifth year. On the
contrary, many are now taken in hand at _eighteen months_ old; some few
run a short match before they have attained the second year; more run
when rising three: and plates, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, are
common for three year olds from one extremity of the kingdom to the
other.
This constantly increasing and invincible thirst for racing popularity,
by which so many of the finest horses are crippled before they come to
their prime, has constituted such a sterility, or drawback, upon the
usual supplies for the chase, that the value of even common hunting
horses has increased beyond all former example. The present system of
training is considered so truly scientific, that one general jealousy is
known to prevail amongst its professors of every denomination: the same
secresy which pervades one establishment, is, by the spirit of
emulation, (or infection,) communicated to every other; and the hour
that stimulates one stable lad to action, regulates the rest in every
training-stable through the kingdom. The serjeant or corporal's guard in
the best disciplined military garrison of his Majesty's dominions,
cannot be more precise, more critically exact to time, than the training
lads are to stable hours. At the first dawn of day, every somniferous
sensation is shaken off, and each is in his stable by the time he has
day-light sufficient to brush over his horse: this done, and the
quantity of corn he is allowed consumed, the ceremony of exercise is
proceeded upon, where his walking, galloping before and after water,
take place, in _time_ and _distance_, according to the age, state of
flesh, and his condition; all which are nicely attended to, and his work
proceeded upon in proportion. At his return, the dressings, leg rubbing,
and every minute part of stable discipline, is regulated to a degree of
admiration; when which is completed, the feeding over, and the stable
set fair, silence prevails; the door is closed, and firmly secured; the
horse being left free from every thing that can possibly afford
disturbance; and this as much before six in the morning, as it can be
accomplished according to the season of the year. A short ceremony of
the same kind takes place about three hours after. TWELVE at NOON,
regular brushing over, feeding, and setting all fair, again take place;
being then once more close locked till FOUR, when the _first_ ceremony
of the morning, _air_, _exercise_, and _water_, are again repeated; the
regular routine succeeds in the stable, which is closed as near to the
hour of _six_ as possible. When the perpetual prompter announces the
hour of eight, it is the signal for _racking up_: this neatly and
expeditiously performed, an early hour of rest is the invariable rule,
that all parties may be the better enabled to enter upon the business of
the morning.
Such is the diurnal ceremony of training; varying the length and speed
of the morning gallops by the flesh, wind, substance and condition of
the horse; with such intervening SWEATS (which see) as circumstances may
justify, or render necessary; in all which, training grooms of the best
judgment, and most industrious observation, are liable to err. Horses
are seen to _train on_, others to _train off_; or, in plainer terms,
some horses have great speed at _three_ and _four_ years old, who never
make a display of any after; and many have made no promise in the
_first_ or _second_ year of their running, who afterwards became most
capital racers. As a recent instance of this, reference may be made to
"SIR SOLOMON," which see. No small degree of penetration is necessary to
ascertain when a horse is trained the _nearest_ to the utmost point of
his SPEED; most horses are _over trained_, and are, of course, the
likeliest to be beaten, or lamed, whenever they are brought into
competition with a powerful opponent; who, by having been _less_
trained, is _more_ above his work; or, in other words, better adapted to
difficulty, and a severe struggle for victory, should it happen to ensue.
TRAMMELS—are a collection of side and cross-lines, having leather loops
at the ends, with which horses are trammelled for the operations of
_nicking_, _docking_, _cropping_, &c.
TRAMEL-NET—is a long and large net for taking birds by night with
lights; a practice occasionally enjoyed by the lower class of rustics on
a winter evening.
TRAVELLER—has been a name of so much celebrity upon the TURF, that it
cannot with propriety be omitted. _Old Traveller_ was a winner of a
great many plates, and afterwards proved himself a stallion of much
estimation: he was the sire of _Squirrel_, _Dainty Davy_, the dam of
_Morwick Ball_, &c. &c. He was bred by MR. OSBALDESTON, foaled in 1735,
got by _Partner_, dam by _Almanzor_, who was got by DARLEY'S _Arabian_.
_Young Traveller_ was bred by Mr. Coatsworth, foaled in 1746, got by
_Old Traveller_, dam by _Bartlet's Childers_. The last _Traveller_ was
bred by MR. HUTCHINSON, foaled in 1785, and got by _Highflyer_, dam by
_Henricus_, who was got by _Black and all Black_. In 1789, when four
years old, he beat a son of _Orpheus_ over New Malton, one mile and a
half, for 100 guineas. Two days after, he won a sweepstakes of 10
guineas each over Malton, beating four others. The next day he won a
50_l._ Plate, beating three others. At York he won the Stand Plate of
50_l._ beating _Cavendish_, _Spangle_, and a son of _Orpheus_. In the
August York Meeting he won the City Plate of 50_l._ added to a
subscription purse, beating _Gustavus_, and _six_ others. He was then
purchased by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; and in the Houghton
Meeting at Newmarket, beat the Duke of Bedford's _Grey Diomed_ over the
Beacon Course for 500 guineas.
In 1790, Craven Meeting, Newmarket, he walked over the Duke's Course for
a subscription of 50 guineas each, eight Subscribers, _half forfeit_.
Second Spring Meeting, he beat Lord Grosvenor's _Meteor_, over the
Beacon Course, 500 guineas. Newmarket first Spring Meeting, 1791, he
received 400 guineas forfeit from _Meteor_, with whom he was matched for
1000 guineas over the Beacon. After which he was travelled long journies
to the North, where meeting the most celebrated horses fresh upon their
own training-ground, he was repeatedly beat, but ran handsome. In 1792,
first Spring Meeting, he received 100 guineas forfeit from _Cavendish_,
and was withdrawn from the turf.
TREAD—is an injury sustained by one foot upon the other. See OVER-REACH.
TRESPASS,—in its sporting signification, appertains only to such
trespasses as may be committed in the pursuit of, or the attempt to,
kill game. It has been decided by law, and is upon record, that a
person, _though qualified_, cannot come upon another man's ground to
kill game, without being liable to an action of trespass for so doing:
and an _unqualified_ person for trespassing, shall pay full costs: but
if he is legally qualified to kill game, and the damage shall be found
under 40_s._ he shall in such case pay no more COSTS than _damages_.
TRIAL.—It is a common and prudent custom with those engaged upon the
turf, to ascertain as near as possible, some tolerable idea of the
probable future speed of their COLTS and FILLIES, before they put
themselves to the expence of general training, or too confidently
presume to become SUBSCRIBERS to _large stakes_, without at least a
promising prospect of adequate qualifications. To acquire information so
absolutely necessary for the regulation of future proceedings, there is
only one sure and certain criterion (admitting of no alternative) upon
which reliance can be made to avoid deception. This is to obtain a
confidential trial against some horse whose superiority upon the turf is
established, and who has given ample and repeated proofs of his powers
in public. Such trial obtained, a proper opinion may then be formed, how
far it will be prudent and profitable to continue the horse so tried in
training, or discontinue the intent of his appearance altogether.
Trials between horses of superior qualifications, preparatory to their
being engaged in matches or stakes of magnitude, are always considered
matters of great consideration, and for which the most serious
preparations are made. Upon the issue of such trials, engagements are
sometimes entered into, upon the termination of which, many thousands
eventually depend. It is therefore matter of indispensible necessity,
they should not only be run with the most energetic opposition, but that
the superiority in speed should be fully and clearly ascertained. Trials
of this description are always conduced with the utmost secresy; for the
better preservation of which, they generally take place at the very dawn
of day, so soon as the lads can see to ride with safety; and these
trials are considered of so much consequence at Newmarket, that if any
feeder, rider, groom, stable-lad, or any other person concerned, is
known to discover the result, or shall be detected in watching trials
himself, or procuring other persons so to do, he is dismissed the
service of his master with every stigma of disgrace, and rendered
incapable of being again employed by a Member of the Jockey Club in any
capacity whatever. See JOCKEY CLUB.
TRIPPING. A horse who goes near to the ground, is always subject to
_tripping_ against every little prominence or projection that happens to
lie in his way. Many well-bred horses, exceedingly dull and indolent in
a _walk_, overcome with ease all those trifling impediments, when put
into a more enlivening and emulative action. This imperfection always
displays itself most in _slow_ paces, which is one predominant reason
why a DEALER is invariably anxious to let his horse, when shewn out, be
seen in a _trot_ or a _gallop_. Horses excellent in their fast paces,
are sometimes _bad_ walkers; but instances are very rare, where a good
walker is deficient in superior qualifications. It is a remark justified
by long and attentive observation, that most thorough-bred horses are
sluggish stumbling walkers; they are therefore almost proverbially
considered dull and dangerous roadsters.
TROTTING—is one of the natural paces of a horse, which, in respect to
speed, is wonderfully to be improved by constant practice; and it being
a favourite pace with almost every horse of common description for the
purposes of the road, they are observed to enjoy it, in proportion as
they excel their companions or opponents, seemingly conscious of their
own improvements. The qualifying points for a good trotter, are by no
means precisely the same as those requisite to form a speedy and
successful racer: the action in _trotting_ greatly depends upon the bend
of the knee, and the pliability of the joint above, and the joint below:
racing is regulated by the geometrical expansion of the limbs, more
materially dependent upon the _shoulder_, which is the perceptible
fulcrum from whence the velocity of the animal is known to proceed.
Although trotting is admitted one of the natural paces of a horse, yet
it will admit of great improvement, by the persevering exertions of
_art_. It is a long-standing remark, that "a _butcher_ always rides _a
trotter_;" and why is it? because they invariably make them so: they in
general ride them _no other pace_: they all know they have the credit of
"making _trotters_," and they are incessantly alive to the preservation
of their professional reputation. That horses may be taught, by time and
patience, to exceed their original trotting, _two_ or _three_ miles an
_hour_, is as certain, as that blood horses exceed their former speed a
full _distance_ in _four miles_ by training. It is within the memory of
many, that _fourteen_ miles within an hour was thought excellent
trotting, and _fifteen_ was considered a wonderful performance, all
which is long since buried in oblivion, by the almost incredible
exploits of the last few years.
Famous trotters have undoubtedly been produced from different parts of
the kingdom; but Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk, are said
to have exceeded all others in their proportion; and this may probably
with justice be attributed to those famous trotting stallions, "_Old
Shields_," "_Useful Cub_," and "_Hue_ and _Cry_," who principally
_covered_ that scope of country. The celebrated trotter _Archer_ was
descended from _Old Shields_; he was a remarkably strong horse, master
of fifteen stone, and the fastest trotting horse of his time; but was
cruelly destroyed, by being inhumanly matched to trot upon the road
_sixteen miles_ within the hour in the midst of a very severe frost: the
poor persevering animal performed it in less than _fifty five minutes_;
but the violent concussions sustained by the body, and the battering
upon the feet by the dreadfully hard state of the road, produced
symptoms which soon put a period to his existence.
A brown mare, the last proprietor of whom was MR. BISHOP, trotted upon
the Epsom road, _sixteen miles_ in fifty-eight minutes and a half,
carrying twelve stone; and it was then said to have been the first time
that distance had ever been trotted within the hour. In 1791, being
eighteen years old, she trotted on the Essex road, sixteen miles in
fifty-eight minutes and some seconds, beating a famous trotter of Mr.
Green's for fifty pounds; and it was the opinion of the sporting parties
concerned, that she would have trotted thirty miles within two hours; a
distance which was actually trotted in two hours and ten minutes, by the
celebrated chesnut mare of Mr. Ogden's. A grey mare, called the
_Locksmith's_, trotted _seventy-two_ miles in _six hours_. In 1793, a
grey mare, of Mr. Crocket's, trotted _one hundred_ miles in _twelve
hours_, and had twenty minutes to spare. A five year old, son of young
_Pretender_, (who was got by _Hue_ and _Cry_,) trotted in Lincolnshire,
sixteen miles in fifty-nine minutes, carrying fifteen stone.
In April, 1792, a bay gelding, called _Spider_, and an old chesnut
gelding, called _Cartwright_, near thirty years old, trotted thirty-two
miles in two hours between Stilton and Cambridge. _Spider_ trotted the
first twenty-four miles in one hour twenty-eight minutes and a half, and
the old horse the remainder. It was supposed they could have trotted
thirty-four miles within the time agreed on. In 1797, Mr. Dyson made a
bet of 100 guineas with Mr. Fagg, that he would produce a mare which
should trot upon the road between Cambridge and Huntingdon _seventeen_
miles within _the hour_: the experiment was made on the 7th of August in
that year, and the mare lost by _one minute_ and four seconds only. On
the 13th of June, 1799, a trotting match was decided over Sunbury
Common, between Mr. Dixon's brown gelding and Mr. Bishop's grey gelding,
carrying twelve stone each, which was won by the former, having trotted
the eight miles in twenty-seven minutes and ten seconds. Extraordinary
as these performances have been, no less entitled to recital, is a bet
made by Mr. Stevens, which was decided on the 5th of October, 1796, that
he would produce a pair of horses, his _own_ property, that should _trot
in a tandem_ from Windsor to Hampton Court, a distance of _sixteen
miles_, within the hour: notwithstanding the cross country road, and
great number of _turnings_, they performed it with ease in fifty-seven
minutes and thirteen seconds.
TRUMPATOR,—the name of a horse whose performances on the turf insured
him infinite opportunities of acquiring additional celebrity as a
STALLION, which he has now supported for twelve years, and is announced
for the present season, 1803, at Clermont Lodge, near Brandon, Norfolk,
at eight guineas each mare, and half a guinea the groom. _Trumpator_ was
bred by LORD CLERMONT, foaled in 1782; got by _Conductor_, out of
_Brunette_, who was got by _Squirrel_. The first of his get started in
1790, at two years old, and were both winners, under the names of _Black
Deuce_, and _Young Peggy_. In 1791, _Trumpetta_ appeared at only two
years old, and won 200 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket; and
_Young Peggy_, then three years old, won _seven_ stakes and matches at
Newmarket. In 1792, _Trumpetta_, then three years old, won five prizes
at Newmarket. _Rally_, only two years old, won 100 guineas and 50_l._ at
the same place. This year appeared also _Gipsey_, _Misenus_, and a
_chesnut colt_, the winners of six stakes at Newmarket. In 1793, nine of
his get started, who were the winners of _twenty plates_, matches and
sweepstakes. In 1794, _Aimator_, _Paynator_, _Repeator_, and four
others, were the winners of _twenty-one_ prizes, when his reputation as
a stallion became firmly established.
In 1795 appeared ten winners of twenty-two prizes, amongst whom were
_Ploughator_, _Oateater_, and _Trumpeter_; the first and last of which
were then only two years old. In 1796, thirteen of his produce started,
and were the winners of _thirty-eight_ plates, matches, and sweepstakes.
Of these, _Aimator_ won 500 guineas, 400 guineas, and 100 guineas, at
Newmarket. _Didelot_, the Prince's stakes, 100 guineas, six subscribers;
and the Derby stakes of 50 guineas each, _half forfeit_, when eleven
started; the rest paid. _Hornpipe_ won five times at Newmarket, Epsom,
Brighton, and Lewes. _Paynator_ won 50_l._ 100 guineas, the first class
and main of the Oatlands Stakes at Newmarket. _Repeator_, seven plates,
matches, and stakes, at Newmarket, Ipswich, Brighton, and Lewes.
_Spinetta_ won 200 guineas, and 50 guineas, at Newmarket. _Spoliator_
won the King's Plate at Ipswich; 50_l._, 200 guineas, and 100 guineas,
at Newmarket. _True Blue_, 80 guineas at Epsom, and 50_l._ at Ludlow.
_Trumpeter_, three fifties, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket.
In 1797, ten of his get started, and were winners of sixteen prizes. In
1798, fifteen appeared, and were the winners of twenty-nine. In 1799,
eighteen of his get started, and were winners of thirty three; amongst
whom _Chippenham_, then three years old, won 400 guineas, and 300
guineas, at Newmarket. _Sorcerer_, three years old, 100 guineas at
Newmarket. _Spoliator_ won six stakes and matches, all at Newmarket! and
_Trumpeter_ won three at Newmarket, and one at Lewes. In 1800, nine
started, who were the winners of twenty-five. _Sorcerer_, then four
years old, won 100 guineas, 150 guineas, 50_l._, 200 guineas, and the
October Oatlands, at Newmarket, and the King's Plate at Ipswich.
_Thais_, only two years old, won 400 guineas at Brighton, 60 guineas at
Egham, and 100 guineas at Newmarket; and _Tuneful_, only three years
old, won twice at Newmarket, and twice at Canterbury. In 1801 he seemed
to have attained the zenith of celebrity; thirteen of his produce were
the winners of forty-three plates, matches, and sweepstakes. _Sorcerer_
won six at Newmarket, 50_l._ at Oxford, the King's Plate at Burford, and
70 guineas at Lewes. _Chippenham_ won six at Newmarket, and 50_l._ at
Shrewsbury. _Penelope_ only three years old, won five at Newmarket, and
the King's Plate at Ipswich. _Rebel_ won 90 guineas at Bibury, two
fifties at the same place, and the Petworth Stakes at Brighton. In 1802,
twelve were the winners of forty-one prizes of different descriptions,
of which _Edgar_ won nine; _Orange Flower_, eight; _Chippenham_, five;
_Rebel_, four; _Pacificator_, three; and the remainder two each; under
which repetition of success, through so great a variety of channels, the
blood of his progeny bids fair to stand in no unfavourable degree of
estimation.
TUMOURS—are preternatural enlargements in any part of the body or
extremities of a horse, occasioned by external injuries, or arising from
internal causes, requiring different modes of treatment, according to
appearances, or the means by which they have been produced. Swellings
proceeding from _blows_, _bruises_, and other accidents, are, in
general, merely temporary, and submit to such cool repellents, and mild
astringents, as are usually applied upon such occasions; but not
submitting in a few days, a formation of matter may be suspected, and
should expeditiously be promoted; for which purpose, fomentations,
poultices, and patience, are the only aids required. See "ABCESS," and
"STRANGLES."
TUNNEL-NET—is a net for the taking of partridges by night, and
principally in use with poachers _only_ for that purpose. This net is
never less than fifteen feet in length, and about twenty inches deep;
and is made with two wings; so that when they are extended, and fixed to
the ground by the stakes prepared for the business, the net forms an
angle, with the tunnel or flue in the middle. The covey of birds having
been watched at the time of calling together in the evening, and known
to be in the field, when the proper hour arrives, (which is seldom
before eleven or twelve at night,) the net being previously and properly
adjusted, a horse is employed in the process, led in hand by the
principal of _the firm_, who has so nice _an ear_ to the _chuckle_ of
the partridges in running, that he is very seldom foiled in his intent
of securing the whole in his net; and it is by this _wholesale_ mode of
destruction, that even the most plentiful districts are sometimes
suddenly cleared.
TURF.—The turf, when used in a sporting sense, is intended to imply
whatever appertains solely to the pleasure of HORSE-RACING, without any
collateral signification whatever; custom having established three
concise terms, by which the distinct sports may be fully comprehended,
and the intentional meaning perfectly understood. The "SOD" is known to
be fully expressive of _cocking_; the "FIELD," of _hunting_; and the
"TURF," of _racing_; these being the admitted technical terms of the
sporting world, to which none else make the least pretensions. The
emulative and inspiring pleasures of the turf, like the ecstatic
enjoyment of the chase, are too great in their temptation and
attractions for the spirited part of mankind to resist. Replete as it is
with that great variety which tends to diffuse a genial glow of
conscious gratification in every countenance, bespeaking a sense of
inexpressible happiness in those who engage in it as spectators only,
how much is it to be regretted, that the speed and spirited endeavours
of the most beautiful animal in the creation should be prostituted to
the worst of purposes!
It can require no trumpet of fame to establish a fact so universally
known, that the TURF, with the nocturnal amusement of _hazard_, (which
invariably follows it,) have, in conjunction, destroyed (or rather
alienated) more PROPERTY, in the last _fifty_ years, than all the
_hurricanes_ within the same given time, from one extremity of the
kingdom to the other. Numbers there are at this moment in existence, who
formerly possessed their numerous studs, their landed estates, their
magnificent mansions, with all the comforts, all the elegant
gratifications of life, some of whom are to be found in _prisons_;
others pining in _obscurity_, severely wounded, even _in spirit_, by the
barbed arrow of adversity; and a third part (by far the most numerous)
living upon the liberality and hospitality of their kind and
commiserating friends. But that so deep and desponding a shade may not
cast too great a gloom over the picture for want of contrast, let the
eye turn to an imaginary view of those likewise _living_, who, during
the last thirty years of the fifty already alluded to, have risen from
the very _lowest classes_ of society, to a degree of opulence beyond
every moderate conception; when a few moments of retrospection may serve
to convince the ruminative observer, that, however largely the ARTS and
SCIENCES may be admitted to have improved, they bear no proportion to
the pecuniary improvements of the _arts_ either upon the _turf_ or at
the _gaming table_. No man of unsullied honour, and strict integrity,
can become successful, for any length of time, amidst a _horde_ of
determined _depredators_; experience having fully proved, that the most
princely fortune cannot sustain itself against the stratagems of such
villainous combinations.
The TURF, in respect to its pleasures, pursued with prudence, and
entered into with moderation, by those whose immense property will admit
of its support, is certainly one of the most noble, exhilarating, and
amusing gratifications in the long catalogue of human enjoyments; but,
unfortunately, there is the same insatiate infection in _ambition_ as in
_wealth_, and neither one, more than the other, are ever to be
satisfied. From this inordinate thirst of fame, this furor of fashion,
this excess of inconsideracy, has recently arisen RACING STUDS of such
rapacious enormity, that they have reduced to a _degraded_ state of
_necessity_, many of the most opulent and most dignified individuals in
his Majesty's dominions; to whom it must prove, upon the _downy pillow_
of repentant reflection, a most mortifying retrospection, that,
notwithstanding the _thousands_ upon _thousands_ ingulphed within the
_vortex_ of the TURF, there has been hardly an instance in which they
have been enabled to become the guardians of their own honour, the
protectors of their own property, or barely thought worthy of being
entrusted with the _secrets_ of their own stables; for the subordinates
in a training establishment have their _cards to play_ as well as their
superiors; and having skill enough, in the language of Tony Lumpkin in
the comedy, "to manage their own affairs by the _rule of thumb_," they
do not omit to recollect the ancient axiom, that self-preservation is
the first or most predominant law in nature.
The noblemen and gentlemen of the Jockey Club at Newmarket, have adopted
every means, that superior wisdom could possibly devise, to restrain
villainy, and reward integrity: but so long as human depravity shall
have power to retain a seat within the heart; so long as the _secret
betting_ emoluments of the _subordinates_ may be more increased by
deceptively _opposing_, than by promoting the interest of their
EMPLOYERS; so long as a pail of water, a nauseating ball, or half a peck
of corn, can be privately administered in the night, or a horse rode on
the wrong side of the post by day; no man existing (however dignified
his station, however benevolent his heart, however expanded his mind,
and liberal his hand) must expect to see the TURF rise from its late
public and well-known degradation, to a state of the so-much-wished-for
perfection.
TUSHES.—The teeth so called in a horse, are the two above, and the two
below, standing single behind the corner teeth of both the upper and the
under jaw: these seldom make their appearance till the horse is four
years old off, and attain their full growth at six. If these are
examined when the horse is of that age, the inside will be found flat,
with two grooves or channels running down to the gum; but when the horse
is a few years older, those two are reduced to _one_; and soon after he
has reached his twelfth year, even that is obliterated, leaving no other
remaining certainty respecting age by the mouth. External appearances
are, however, so numerous, by which a tolerable opinion may be formed,
that good judges are seldom at a loss to decide with some degree of
precision.
TURNING-OUT—is of two kinds; one called a summer's, the other, a
winter's run; a description of which, with their expected and probable
effects, will be found under the heads GRASS and SOILING.