OFF-SIDE.—The _right_-side of a HORSE, if you stand parallel with him, and look the same way, is the OFF-SIDE; as the _left_ is the NEAR-SIDE. When speaking of any part of a horse, it is not usual, in sporting terms, to use the words right or left; but to say the _near_-shoulder; the _off_-eye; the _near_-leg BEFORE, or the _off_-leg behind.
ONION—is an article which would not have found its way here, but in consequence of its great utility upon a certain emergency, which entitles its property to be more universally known. No trifling occurrence can possibly occasion more temporary mortification to a SPORTSMAN, than to see his horse labouring under the STRANGURY (or suppression of urine) after the long stage of a journey, or the severity of a chase. In such cases, the first FARRIER is generally called in, who proceeding upon the "KILL or CURE" system of former times, prepares a _potion_ of the most powerful urinary stimulants, plentifully _besprinkled_ with SPIRITS of TURPENTINE, oil of juniper, and other equally _mild_ and _efficacious_ ingredients, frequently laying the foundation of inflammation; when an onion being peeled, and a small clove or two of the inside properly insinuated within the SHEATH, may nineteen times out of twenty be expected to produce the desired effect, without the interposition of any medicine whatever.
OPENING THE HEELS.—The ceremony of opening a horse's heels is sometimes necessary, when they are become _contracted_ by so constantly standing upon the dry litter, and hot dung of stables, in the Metropolis; a circumstance which occurs much _less_ in the country, where the defect is but _little_ known. Although there can be no doubt of a hoof's contracting in a great degree by the means already mentioned, it must be more so, where the hoofs are not OILED or STOPPED for _weeks_, or, probably, _months_ together. It is, however, a matter of doubt, whether the _back-handed_ stroke of the smith's _rasp_ in SHOEING, is not a more constant or frequent cause of the narrowness of the heels than any other. Let it arise from whatever cause, the remedy with them is always ready; "OPEN THE HEELS;" or, in other words, _cut away_; first with the BUTTRESS, and then with the _drawing-knife_, till _little_ or _nothing_ is left to cut: when the basis of bearing is taken away, the _heel_ is let down to the _ground_, the TENDONS are put upon the STRETCH, the horse, being divested of his natural support, _hobbles_ like a cripple, and there is no remedy, but to wait with patience for a perfect regeneration of parts so wantonly destroyed.