—is the hereditary deposit of PEDIGREE, transmitted from one generation to another, and punctually preserved by the proprietor of every RACING STUD of eminence in the kingdom; in which may be retraced the exact lineal descent of each HORSE and MARE, from the earliest time in which racing blood began to bear a promise of estimation. From a most industrious and elaborate accumulative collection of these, Mr. Weatherby has given to the public, a full, clear, explanatory and well-authenticated pedigree of between four and five thousand of the best bred horses who have raced and covered in England, Scotland, and Ireland. This publication bears the title of "Weatherby's General Stud-Book;" and must, to every sportsman of taste and literature, prove a most useful and entertaining volume.
STUMBLING
—is so great an imperfection in a horse, that it affects his intrinsic worth, in proportion to the readiness with which it is perceived. Horses having short forehands, large heads, and thick shoulders, are the most subject to this defect of any other formation: those low at the point of the withers, (which is called being lower before than behind,) in addition to the deficiencies already mentioned, are the worst of stumblers; the whole forming such a combination of bad points, as not to leave one enlivening hope of reformation. A horse addicted to stumbling, occasions so many dreadful sensations to the rider, that he may almost as well encounter so many shocks of electricity. Those who unluckily get into possession of such, cannot separate too soon. The old sportsman never rides a stumbler more than once, which he thinks once too often.
SURBATING
—is a term getting into disuse, and with the last of the old school of farriery will in a few years be buried in total oblivion: this it well deserves to be, as a word without either meaning or derivation. Insignificant as it sounds, it has been, till within a very few years, used to signify a hoof so battered, bruised, and worn, with bad shoeing, bad shoes, and sometimes with no shoes at all, that the horse, having hardly any feet to stand upon, was then said to be surbated; which, in more explanatory and comprehensive language, is neither more or less than the sole of the foot so completely destroyed, (by the means before-mentioned,) that a horse in such situation is now said to be foot-foundered, who was formerly said to be surbated.
SURFEIT
.—In respect to the disease in horses so called, it seems, with most veterinary writers of the preceding and present time, to be an almost indefinite or undefined term. It is not only differently described, but attributed to various causes; without the superfluous investigation of which, it is only necessary to observe, that it is the effect of acrimonious morbidity in the blood, possessing gradational shades of progress, in a corresponding degree with what is denominated scurvy in the frame of the human species. In the first stage of what is professionally deemed SURFEIT, the horse's coat partially stares, and is in some parts nearly erect: under the raised parts is perceived a kind of blue dusty hue, which, not counteracted by medical means, or an increase of good healthy provender, soon degenerates to a palpable scurf; this continuing to extend itself over the surface, so hardens by time, that each becomes a pustule or eschar, which afterwards exfoliating, leaves alternate appearances of the bare skin and hair, somewhat similar to an advanced stage of the mange, to which species of disease it is, in fact, no very distant relation. Its progress to inveteracy is not the same in all subjects, as it will continue its ravages with fixed scales, or dry barky scabs, in some, but will emit a sharp serous ichor from others.
This discharge is generally of such a sharp and acrid property, that the violent itching it occasions, keeps the poor object in a state of incessant misery; for when the disorder is far advanced, the time is so constantly appropriated to the indispensible office of rubbing, (for the attainment of temporary relief,) that very little is afforded to the purpose of subsistence, should pasture be furnished in plenty; which, with such unfortunate and unprofitable subjects, is very rarely the case. The first step to cure, is to alter and enrich the property of the blood, by altering the aliment to a more nutritious and invigorating kind than it was before. In a week or ten days, when the frame is in a perceptible degree improved, a first bleeding may take place, followed by such antimonial alteratives, as may be found best adapted to the complexion of the case. Many instances there are, where, from long standing, and great malignancy, mercurial solutions, or vitriolic lotions, become so indispensibly necessary, that a cure cannot be perfectly insured without. When the system is in a certain degree restored, and visibly rising superior to the depredating effects of disease, bleeding may be repeated, and antimonial powders in mashes nightly administered, till indications of certain recovery appear, when a course of mild mercurial physic should be proceeded upon, that no doubt of obliteration may be entertained.
SWAINMOTE
—is a peculiar court, appertaining solely to the LAWS of a forest, and held three times within the year. In this court the Verderers preside in the official capacity of Judges; for although the Warden, or his deputy, may take their seats in the court, they have no judicial authority there. The court of Swainmote may enquire of offences, receive informations, and proceed to conviction; but judgment is not within the limits of this court; their province extends no farther than to hear and convict; judgment cannot be given but from the judgment-seat, where the Justice in Eyre presides as chief officer; and all associated with him, are called Justices of the Forest. This court being a Court of Record, can fine and imprison for offences within the forest; and therefore if the judgment is conceived erroneous, the record may be removed by writ of error into the Court of King's Bench.