—implies that part of A HORSE extending from the ears to the withers; which, to be handsome, should be long, and rise gradually from the upper point of the shoulder-blade to the very extremity of the ear. A FOREHAND of this description adds greatly to the majestic appearance and value of the horse. But a horse low before, with a short forehand, and indented crest, can never become an object of attraction.
FOREHEAD
.—The forehead is the front of the horse's head; to observe the form and effect of which, it will be necessary to get before him. It is the space extending from the roots of the ears, and between the eyes, which being BROAD and FLAT, having a feather or star in the center, constitutes a degree of beauty, and may be supposed to have a cross of the Arabian in the blood. If a horse, having a wide flat forehead, has the advantage of a full prominent spirited eye, they at the first approach afford no small indication of excellence; and, upon nearer inspection, a corresponding symmetry is expected to follow.
FORE-LEGS
.—The fore-legs of a horse begin at the lower extremity of the SHOULDER-BLADE before, and the ELBOW behind: they consist of what are termed the ARMS, (or fore thighs,) which extend to each KNEE; the shank-bone from the knee to the FETLOCK JOINT; the fetlock-bone is continued from thence to the CORONARY-BONE, into which it is inserted; the coronary-bone in part fills the cavity, or box of the hoof, being lodged in the COFFIN-BONE, supported by the nut-bone behind; these last are deposited in the membranous mass denominated the INNER SOLE; the whole being terminated by the bottom of the hoof, the frog, and the outer sole. The FORE-LEGS, to be uniform, (in a front view,) should be wide at the upper part next the breast, strong and broad in the ARM, bony below the KNEE, free from SPLENTS, a broad sound HOOF, firm SOLE, and a FROG without thrushes.
FOREST
.—A FOREST is a large tract of land in pasture, many miles in extent and circumference, the property of THE CROWN, mostly well stocked with timber, (from whence the navy is supplied,) as well as with a variety of underwood, furze, fern, &c. for the breeding and preservation of both VENISON and GAME. Forests are of great antiquity, and their immunities are protected by laws peculiarly and solely adapted to their preservation; the execution of which are lodged in principal officers, and their subordinates, as follows; JUSTICES in EYRE, CHIEF WARDENS, VERDERERS, REGARDERS, FORESTERS, WOODWARDS, AGISTORS, RANGERS, BEADLES, and KEEPERS.
A FOREST has its foundation under a commission bearing the great seal of England, and when proclaimed through the county in which the land so appropriated lies, "that it is A FOREST, and to be governed by the LAWS OF A FOREST," it then becomes a forest upon record, and the OFFICERS before mentioned are appointed. A forest has its "BOUNDARIES," its "PURLIEUS," its "PROPERTIES," its "COURTS," with a variety of regulations equally uninteresting and unentertaining, except to those who are resident within its precincts; to whom a variety of enlarged particulars will be useful, and may be found in "Daniels' Rural Sports," a recent publication of merit and celebrity.
There are said to have been SIXTY-NINE FORESTS in England, of which the New Forest, Windsor Forest, Sherwood Forest, and the Forest of Dean, have always been considered the principal. His Majesty's STAG HOUNDS are kept at the kennel upon Ascot Heath, in Windsor Forest, where he has for some years enjoyed the pleasures of the chase.
The beasts of forest, in all ancient records, were denominated "BEASTS OF VENERY," and consisted of the Hart, Hind, Hare, Boar, and Wolf: the complete extinction of the two latter has, however, long since rendered the term unnecessary, if not entirely obsolete, and the whole is generally comprehended under the appellation of GAME, and the LAWS enacted to prevent its destruction.