HAND

—is the term for a mode of measurement by which the height of A HORSE is ascertained. A HAND (so called originally from its breadth) is four inches; three hands is consequently one foot; and A HORSE OF FIFTEEN HANDS is exactly five feet high; and so above or below in proportion; as thirteen hands three inches; fourteen hands and a half; or fifteen hands three inches and a quarter; as the measure may be. This, at the entrance of horses for GIVE and take plates, is regulated to a most scrupulous nicety by means of a standard, so curiously constructed, as to ascertain the exact height to the eighth of an inch, where horses are MATCHED to carry WEIGHT for inches.

Bridle-hand: the left hand is so termed, in contra-distinction to the right, which is called the WHIP-HAND; and the most experienced jockies in racing, always take the whip-hand, if possible; it being considered a point in their favour; that is, because they have not only an advantage in the turns of the course, but their adversaries circumscribe a larger circle of many lengths in a FOUR MILES race, exclusive of their having an unrestrained use of THE WHIP, should it come to a severe push at the run in.

There are many sporting phrases in which the word HAND becomes particularly emphatic. To say a horse is LIGHT in HAND, implies his being playful, lively, champing his bit, firm upon his haunches, and not dwelling upon the ground with his fore feet. A horse is HEAVY in HAND, when, bearing his weight upon the bit, and lifting his fore legs with reluctance, he goes boring on, with no other sensation to the rider, than an eternal fear of his pitching upon his head. A vicious horse, breaking away with his rider, seems a dreadful sight to a spectator, but can never be attended with misfortune, if the rider is a good HORSEMAN, and has him "well in hand," which is, in fact, the power of "gathering him together," or stopping his career at pleasure.

Although the left is technically termed the BRIDLE-HAND, yet a good horseman, or experienced sportsman, will use either right or left with the most perfect ease and dexterity; to effect which with the greater freedom, young horsemen should constantly practise an exchange of the reins from one hand to the other in their daily excursions. The hand should be delicately alive to every motion of the horse; for it is the judicious management of one, that is to constitute entirely the good or bad mouth of the other. A horse is supposed to gallop awkwardly (if not unnaturally) when he strikes into that pace with his left leg foremost; to prevent which, bear the rein to the left, with the bridle-hand, and the horse invariably sets off with the right leg.

Hand-gallop is that easy kind of pacing adapted to the aged and infirm, who wish to obtain every possible degree of motion, most consonant to bodily ease; it is the degree of equestrian action synonimous with, and more universally known by, the denomination of CANTER; which is, in fact, the slowest, or most contracted gallop, and can only be enjoyed by those who possess horses of good temper, and well broke for the purpose.

A COLT said to be "taken in hand," implies his being brought from his wild state of nature, to be handled, quieted, led about, and stabled, previous to his being broke in for the SADDLE or HARNESS.

A horse's FORE-HAND includes the fore quarters, from the withers upwards to the tip of the ears; the principal beauty and attraction of which depend entirely upon the length and curvilinear form of the neck, which increases or diminishes his marketable value, in proportion as it is well or ill formed.

HANDICAP

—is a sporting term, applicable to either MATCH, PLATE, or SWEEPSTAKES, in the following way: