192 CROPPING SINGEING NICKING THE HORSE. 



when running in covert and were the ears never taken off, so many fox hounds 

 would not lose their eyes : besides, what can be handsomer, or more becoming 1 , 

 than the ear of a fox -hound, or the feather of the stern ? and what is more un- 

 sightly, than a a fox-hound rounded too short? There is great cruelty not 

 only in the operation, but in depriving so noble an animal of the means of protect- 

 ing itself from the the thorns and brambles, when working in the coverts for our 

 amusement." Sporting Magazine, January 1820. 



The above sentiments arc in the true spirit both of humanity and utility and 

 the same spirit, we hope, has dictated the almost total disuse of that silly and in- 

 jurious practice CROPPING the horse, formerly so general. The abominable 

 custom too, of SINGEING with a lighted candle the ears and head of the horse, has 

 been long since scouted, in all regular and good stables. The barbarity of 

 NICKING even, has given way, in a great degree. In looking over considerable 

 collections of Horses, as at Repositories and Fairs, we have of late years 

 observed an unusual disproportion of numbers between the males and females, 

 the former greatly predominating. We cannot readily account for this, with re- 

 gard to the usual course of nature. The dealers assert and lament that, all the 

 best mares are sent out of the Country : no doubt, a mere fallacy. 



TROTTING IN HARNESS. A long pending Match, in Yorkshire, to trot 

 two miles, in harness, took place on Monday, January 31, 1820, for one hundred 

 guineas, between Mr. James Dic/censons celebrated Mare, Fire Eater, and Mr. 

 Charles Tuck's brown Horse, Harlequin. It was won by the latter, which per- 

 formed the distance in six minutes, thirty-eight seconds. 



Curious Turf Amateurs are reminded of the change introduced lately in the 

 portraits of RACE HORSES, the Jockey being represented holding a rein 

 in each hand ; this gives the idea of the late Samuel Chefney's loose rein, 

 in holding the horse whilst running. It is recommended to all Gentlemen, who 

 have their horses painted, not to omit the name, either upon the front or back of 

 the picture, an omission often to be regretted in old portraits. 



STARVING A PACK or Fox HOUNDS. Having admitted a letter on this 

 subject (page 61) from the Sporting Magazine, impartiality demands of us to admit 

 likewise the Answer, which appeared in the Magazine of December 1819, 

 as follows. 



" T should think it degrading to the dignity of an old Sportsman, to take 

 serious notice of any anonymous matter published to the world, were it not for the 

 purpose of rescuing truth, and raising it from beneath the Irsimplings of falsehood 

 and calumny. In your magazine for the month of September last, under the head, 



