"kind", when applied to a horse

[George Thompson]

 A "kind" race horse is one that reacts in a "kindly" fashion to his
jockey's efforts to control him.


I hear this sense often, from jockeys in interviews after a race,
especially in "he is a very kind horse" and "[the horse] rated very
kindly".  It's not in the OED, but is evidently connected with its
9. *dial.* or *techn.* Soft, tender; easy to work.
1747   W. Hooson *Miners Dict.
<http://ezproxy.library.nyu.edu:2331/view/Entry/103445?rskey=2oAd3F&result=2&isAdvanced=false>*
sig.
Uijb,   We drive at the Vein Head in the first Place, because there it is
likely that the Vein may be the most Kind or Leppey.
1828   W. Carr *Dial. Craven
<http://ezproxy.library.nyu.edu:2331/view/Entry/103445?rskey=2oAd3F&result=2&isAdvanced=false>*
(ed.
2) ,   *Kind*, soft. ‘As kind as a glove.’ *Kind-harled*, soft-haired.
1831   J. Holland *Treat. Manuf. Metal
<http://ezproxy.library.nyu.edu:2331/view/Entry/103445?rskey=2oAd3F&result=2&isAdvanced=false>*
I.
243   To distinguish between hard and kind steel, that is, between steel
that has been more or less carbonated.
1848   Keary in *Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc.
<http://ezproxy.library.nyu.edu:2331/view/Entry/103445?rskey=2oAd3F&result=2&isAdvanced=false>*
 *9* ii. 429   Breeders..are now fully alive to the importance of kind hair
and good flesh in a feeding beast.
1883   W. S. Gresley *Gloss. Terms Coal Mining
<http://ezproxy.library.nyu.edu:2331/view/Entry/103445?rskey=2oAd3F&result=2&isAdvanced=false>*
 147   *Kind* generally signifies tender, soft, or easy to work.

This entry no doubt hasn't been touched since the Great War, of course, and
perhaps today the OED's files are crammed with quotations from horse
racing.  But still. . . .

            It was a matter of surprize to many, that the deceased should
have ridden at all.  After saying as much to him, he remarked to us that it
would be a great disappointment if Hops was withdrawn, especially as he was
understood to be his property; -- that he had repeatedly ridden him, and
that he was so kind and well broken that he was readily managed; -- that he
had ridden him over higher hurdles *without a saddle*, and was confident of
his ability to win on him.  Mr. B. was about 40 years of age, and has left
his family, as we understand, in easy circumstances.
            Spirit of the Times, November 8, 1845, p. 434, col. 1  ["Mr.
B." was a crooked auctioneer turned real estate developer who owned a race
course.  He rode his own horse, Hops, in a jumping race, was thrown, and
died of his injuries.]

[a "genuine professional horse-dealer, or horse-jockey" speaking:]
            "A fine horse, sir, just from the country, . . .  a sort of
family horse -- driven by the ladies without any fear -- good, strong,
active, healthy animal . . . sound as a nut, kind in any harness. . . .
            New York Herald, June 25, 1848, p. 3, col. 3

GAT

-- 
George A. Thompson
The Guy Who Still Looks Stuff Up in Books.
Author of A Documentary History of "The African Theatre", Northwestern
Univ. Pr., 1998.

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