SITFAST
.—A sitfast is an eschar upon the side of a horse, which having been originally a warble, from the pressure and friction of the girth-buckle, (indiscreetly permitted to come upon, or near to, the edge of the pad,) is, by a repetition of the injury, converted into a sitfast; or, in terms of easier comprehension, a circular or oblong space of the integument, so completely cauterized by the repeated heat and friction, that it bears all the appearance of a piece of burnt leather inserted upon the spot. When, by carelessness and neglect, it has acquired the state now described, there is but one mode of cure, which is instrumental extirpation. The edge being raised so as to admit of being taken hold of by either FORCEPS, or common PINCERS, it may be separated from the substance to which it adheres, by any common operator, and healed in a few days, almost as soon, and with as little difficulty, as the most trifling and superficial laceration.
SKITTISH
.—A horse is said to be SKITTISH, who is considerably above himself both in spirit and condition; displaying much more of pleasure in exercise, and the enjoyment of air and conditional freedom, (from the narrow confines of a stable,) than the least tendency to habitual vice. A skittish horse will jump two or three feet at the flight of a sparrow, or dance a saraband upon the rumbling approach of a carriage: he is (unless weary with work) always alive with gaiety and motion, without the least intentional injury to those who ride or drive him. There are those who confound the terms, and consider a SKITTISH and a STARTING horse one and the same thing; but they are in the eye of accuracy by no means synonymous.
SKYSCRAPER
,—the name of a horse of much present celebrity: he was bred by the late Duke of Bedford, and got by Highflyer out of Everlasting. In the Craven Meeting, at Newmarket, 1789, when two years old, he received forfeit from three for a sweepstakes of 200 guineas each across the flat. The same Meeting he beat Mr. Fox's Maid of all Work across the flat for 500 guineas. The second Spring Meeting (then three years old) he won the Prince's Stakes of 100 guineas each, eight subscribers; the Derby Stakes at Epsom, 50 guineas each, thirty subscribers. At the same place he received 70 guineas compromise from the Earl of Egremont's Tag. In the first October Meeting he received 250 guineas forfeit from Mr. Ladbroke's Magpie, two middle miles of Beacon Course, for 500 guineas, half forfeit. In the second October Meeting he won a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, from the Ditch-in, nine subscribers. The next day he won the 50l. Plate for three year olds, beating nine others. The same week he received 122½ guineas forfeit in a Post Match with Lord Derby. In the Houghton Meeting he received 130 guineas compromise from Mr. Fox's Sister to Lethe, 300 guineas, half forfeit. The same week he received 130 guineas compromise from Mr. Fox's Braggadocio, across the flat, for 300 guineas, half forfeit.
In 1790, at the first Spring Meeting, he won the Jockey Stakes of 100 guineas each, (half forfeit,) fourteen subscribers, of which nine paid forfeit. In the same week for the Claret Stakes of 200 guineas each, half forfeit, he received from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's Sujah ul Dowlah, his Royal Highness the Prince's Deir Sing, Duke of Orleans's Jericho, Lord Egremont's Calomel, and Sir C. Bunbury's Glaucus. In the first October Meeting he received 100 guineas forfeit from Montezuma. In the same Meeting he won half a subscription of 30 guineas each, (seven subscribers,) beating the famous Escape, then the property of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
In the first Spring Meeting of 1791, he won the renewed 1400 guineas, a subscription of 200 guineas each, half forfeit; beating Pipator; fourteen having paid forfeit. In the second Spring Meeting he received 150 guineas forfeit of four, for a sweepstakes of 300 guineas each, over the Beacon. The first Spring Meeting, 1792, he won the King's Plate at Newmarket, beating those famous horses Coriander, Gustavus, and Toby, with the odds ten to one against him at starting. At Stockbridge he won 50l. beating Thalia. He won the King's Plate at Winchester; walked over for a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, five subscribers, at Bedford; won the King's Hundred in the first October Meeting at Newmarket, beating Skylark; and in the second a subscription of 60 guineas, beating Skylark and Espersykes, with the odds against him at starting. In 1793 he started but twice, and was beat each time by the celebrated Coriander. In 1794, on the first day of the first Spring Meeting at Newmarket, he won a 50l. plate, beating Serpent and No Pretender; about which time the Duke of Bedford beginning to reduce his racing establishment, Skyscraper appeared no more on the turf. He has hitherto covered at Woburn Abbey, in Bedfordshire; but is now announced for the ensuing season, 1803, at Tytherton, near Chippenham, Wilts, at TEN GUINEAS a mare, and half a guinea the groom.
SLOT
.—The impression of a deer's foot upon the earth, so as to be perceptible, is then called a slot; and when, in consequence of storms, rain, sleet, or extreme drought, the hounds cannot carry on the scent, the huntsman and his assistants have no alternative, but to avail themselves of every possible clue and information from the SLOT, to prevent the disgrace of the HOUNDS being beat, and the deer lost.