.—The partitions into which a stable is divided are denominated STALLS; and the space allotted to each horse is called a stall. These, in stables constructed with judgment, and erected with a necessary respect to health and convenience, should never be less than nine or ten feet high, and six feet wide: the heighth will contribute much to the equal temperature of the air; and the width will contribute to the comfort of the horse in an occasional extension of his extremities, as well as prevent many of those injuries sustained in too suddenly turning in narrow and confined stalls, particularly in the common livery stables of the Metropolis. In many large equestrian and hunting establishments there are single stalls (called loose boxes) of such dimensions as are adapted to the accommodation of horses either sick or lame, where they are then at liberty to expand at full length, and enabled to roll at their ease: these are of great utility, and few sportsmen continue long without them.
STALLION
—is the appellation given to a perfect horse, not mutilated by the operation of castration, but preserved in a state of nature, for the purpose of propagation. Stallions should be of great strength, according to the distinct breed they are intended to promote, of correct shape, uniform make, and corresponding symmetry; free from every kind of hereditary taint; good eyes, long forehand, short back, round barrel, wide chest, straight legs, free from splents before, and spavins behind. Although it is a difficult task to obtain perfection, some little circumspection may be necessary, in coming as near to it as circumstances and situation will permit. Experimental observation has produced demonstration, that stallions really blind, or with eyes defective, have produced colts of similar description; such defects not appearing in their first two or three years, nor, indeed, till they have been worked, and the powers brought into action. Instances are never wanting of the great number annually disposed to breed, who as annually repent for want of these prudent precautions. Not only the above points, but the temper and disposition of a stallion should be also attended to: vicious and restive horses should be equally avoided; those imperfections are very frequently transmitted from sire to son, and continued to posterity.
Stallions of the racing kind were never known to have covered at so high a price as in the memory of the present generation. Marsk, after the appearance of that prodigy Eclipse, covered a certain number of mares at 100 guineas each; and none now of the first celebrity, cover at less than ten, fifteen, or twenty. Those in the highest sporting estimation, and announced for the present season, 1803, are Alexander, at 10 guineas; Ambrosio, 10 guineas; Beningbrough, 10 guineas; Buzzard, 10 guineas; Coriander, 10 guineas; Dungannon, 10 guineas; and Sir Harry, at five. Hambletonian, 10 guineas; and Patriot, at five. Volunteer, at 10 guineas; and Shuttle, at five. Pegasus, Precipitate, and Sir Solomon, at 10 guineas each. Stamford, Idris, Meteor, and Mr. Teazle, at five. Sir Peter Teazle, 15 guineas; Young Eclipse, 20 guineas; Whisky, Worthy, and Waxy, at 10 guineas; Trumpator, eight guineas; Oscar, at six. Grouse, Gouty, Fidget, Totteridge, Don Quixote, and Old Tat, at five guineas; and Petworth, Stickler, Warter, Gamenut, Moorcock, (brother to Grouse,) and Zachariah, at three.
The following famous stallions died at or about the dates annexed to their names. Old Fox, in 1738, aged 23 years. Old Partner, 1747, aged 29. The Godolphin Arabian, 1753, 29. Old Cade, 1756. The Bolton Starling, 1757. Snip, the same year. Young Cade, 1764. Old Marsk, July 1779. King Herod, May 12, 1780. Matchem, February 21, 1781. Imperator, 1786. Morwick Ball, January 4, 1787, aged 25 years. Eclipse, February 26, 1789, in his 26th year. Goldfinder, in 1789. Fortitude, the same year. Conductor, in 1790. Phlegon, the same year. Faggergill, 1791; and Florizel, the same year. Fortunio, Jupiter, and Soldier, all died in 1802.
STANDARD
—is the name of an instrument by which the exact heighth of a horse is taken (to the eighth of an inch) when engaged to carry weight for inches, or entered to run for a GIVE and TAKE PLATE. The standard is about six feet six inches high, and so constructed with a line and pendulum, in the centre of a circle, that no mismeasurement, by fraud or imposition, can take place. The standard is one straight square piece of oak or mahogany, and divided, from the top to the bottom, in figured spaces of four inches each; every space of which is termed a HAND; so that a horse of fifteen hands is precisely five feet high. From the standard branches horizontally a projecting arm, of about twenty inches, or two feet in length, which sliding upwards or downwards, is raised higher, or sunk lower, with the hand, till it rests easily upon the extreme point of the wither; when, by looking at the proper suspension of the pendulum and the figures at the same time, the heighth of the horse is instantly ascertained.
STAR
—is the white centrical spot in the forehead of a horse, directly between, and rather above, the eyes. These are considered great natural ornaments in bays, chestnuts, browns, and blacks; inducing DEALERS to remedy the deficiencies of nature by the obtrusion of art. This is effected by scraping off the hair carefully with a razor, from the part where the intended star is to appear, when, by wetting the surface with oil of vitriol, an eschar will soon appear, when which exfoliates, it is followed by a growth of hair of the colour required.