LIGHT IN HAND.—A horse is said to be light in hand, who, bearing properly upon his haunches, (or hind-quarters,) requires little or no assistance from the BIT. Horses of this description are generally well formed in their fore-quarters, with a curved crest, carrying their heads well up, with long necks, high withers, and a commanding forehand. Those with short necks, thick shoulders, dull spirit, slow action, and the withers lower before than the spinal (or rump) bone behind, are always of a _contrary_ description; they _bore_ along, invariably bearing upon the bit, and from that circumstance are said to be heavy in hand.
LIGHT CARCASED—is a term applied to horses, the shape of whose bodies bear no ill affinity to the form of a GREYHOUND. The carcases of such are flat at the sides, narrow in the chest, and gradually contract in circumference from the GIRTH to the FLANK; where, after a little hard work, they appear so _tucked up_, it would seem to a stranger that they were emaciated for want of food. Horses of this description possess, in general, a SPIRIT so much beyond their STRENGTH, that, although they never will relinquish their pace, or seem even to tire, till nature is quite exhausted, they debilitate themselves so much by impetuosity, and unnecessary exertion, that, after a single day's hard work upon the road, or a severe chase in the field, they are not fit to be brought into use for a week after. They are always _bad_ feeders; and it is an old maxim with the SPORTING WORLD, "that those who won't _eat_ can't _work_;" and this remark is literally just; they certainly cannot for any length of time together. Light carcased horses are mostly hot and fiery in their tempers, excellent goers, but troublesome in company; invariably eager to be first; and will sink under persevering speed and fatigue, rather than be exceeded in action and emulation. They are by no means desirable purchases, but to those whose journies are _short_, and work _easy_; to such their defects may not be considered of material consequence.
LINSEED—is a well-known article, and of so much general utility, that the house of a SPORTSMAN (in the country) should never be without it: its properties, either in its state as SEED, or sold in the shops as _powdered_, become equally applicable to the stable wants of the winter season. A DECOCTION of the seeds, one handful boiled for a quarter of an hour in two quarts of water, and strained, is the best mucilaginous wash for sore or cracked heels during _frost_ or _snow_ that can be brought into use; as well as an excellent article (in such weather) to prevent their appearance. In FEVERS, or an inflammation of the lungs, an INFUSION of the seed made with boiling water (standing covered for an hour) and then strained, being afterwards incorporated with a moderate quantity of honey, will be found useful in allaying the severity of disease.