The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the FieldTaplin, William
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The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field
Taplin, William
Hunting -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Dictionaries
MUZZLE.—Muzzles are made of leather, and are of two sorts; the one
called a _dressing_, the other a _setting_, muzzle. The first is of the
same form as the last, but of different construction, having a few
straps crossing each other transversely, and so united as to be about
nine inches in depth, and of a shape to cover the nose of the horse so
high; to which are annexed two straps; one of which passes up the cheek
on each side, and buckles at the top of the head behind the ears; the
use of this is to dress such horses in as are disposed to vice with the
teeth, as well to prevent the MANGER from _injury_, as the GROOM from
_danger_. The other is in little use, except in TRAINING STABLES; its
form is not unlike the exact shape of a common water-pail, being made of
the thickness of substantial leather, having a number of round holes
punched in every part of it, for the free admission of air, and is
brought into use on those nights _preceding_ a horse's RUNNING
engagement on the following day; as well as before taking a SWEAT, or
running a TRIAL. It is called a SETTING-MUZZLE, because, when put on,
the horse is said "_to be set_," (that is, to fast;) and the intent is
to prevent his consuming the litter, or obtaining more food than what
the training-groom has a perfect knowledge of.
N.
NABOB—was a horse of much temporary note, and considered one of the best
country plate horses of his time; he was bred by MR. SWINBURNE, and
foaled in 1753; was got by _Cade_, dam by _Crab_, grand-dam by
_Childers_. Although he was a known good runner, he never as a STALLION
produced any racers of much celebrity.
NAG—is rather a provincial than a general term, and varies a little in
its signification, according to the county, or part of the kingdom, in
which it is used. In the most common country acceptation, it implies a
RIDING horse or ROADSTER, in contra-distinction to a _carriage_ or
_cart-horse_. A "complete nag" may be considered a kind of horse beyond
the line of mediocrity, and bordering upon the idea of a moderate
hunter. A "smartish nag" is what the opulent farmer rides to market; and
a "tightish little tit" is a well-bred galloway of SPEED and ACTION,
which, in a state of purity and perfection, are always difficult to be
obtained.
NARROW CHESTED.—A horse is so called, whose breast is so narrow (when
standing before him) that the fore-legs gradually extend wider in
proportion as the eye accompanies them nearer the ground; so that, in a
front view, they bear the form of two legs of a common country
washing-stool, where the legs are inserted in the narrow part of the
wood at the top, and are four or five inches more in width at the
bottom. Horses of this description are invariably weak before; and when
put into hard work, or severe exertions, are the very sort of which so
many upon the roads are seen in a "CHEST-FOUNDERED" state; which see
under that head, where it will be found fully explained.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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