Ch 11 - glossary.qxd

Glossary
ACP Acepromazine: Mild oral or injected sedative.
Comealong Correctional rope halter for impressing
Adequan Intramuscular injectable aid to joint wear and
‘Follow Me’ lesson. See War bridle.
tear. Oral equivalent is chondroitin sulphate. Seek Crooked knees Blanket term for knee deformity. See text.
Cut Castrate, geld, make a gelding.
Back up, or down State of muscular tension, or
Curb Unsightly blemish below rear of hock, rarely a
relaxation. Indicates whether young horse is, or is not, Curb chain Flat linked chain fitting below chin on more
Balancer Proprietary pelletted feed with high protein
severe bridles from nonracing disciplines. Only seen Bandage bow Visible tendon irregularity caused by ill-
Dermobion Antibiotic cream. Seek veterinary advice.
Desensitise Remove nervousness by systematic and
Blinkers Prevent most lateral vision, also called blinds.
Blow up Weaken in closing stages of race, specifically due
Die in his rider’s hands Horse - To weaken after giving
erroneous impression that he was travelling Blue spray Antibiotic topical spray, universal ‘heal all’ in
reasonably comfortably. See Find nothing.
Dishonest Horse - Unwilling to try his best, a rogue, a
Boardwageman Stableman who has done an
thief, a villain, a pig [male], a cow [female]. Normally Boots Equine leg protectors.
DMSO Excellent circulatory stimulator. Seek veterinary
Breakover Point [in time] of foot leaving ground to
Double handful:
Breastgirth Girth around chest to prevent roller from
Jockey Mount travelling very comfortably.
slipping back on yearlings and to prevent saddle Feeder Along with ‘a dirty manger’, the amount of
slipping on light-framed horses in training and their feed horses are reported as leaving. Check it Brush Exercise - short burst.
Draw Withdraw feed and water for extended period prior
Bullring American, slang for very tight track, as at county
Drop out Jockey - allow mount to fall well behind in early
stages in order to reserve energy for finish. Also hold B******* Comes out of the back end of bulls. Very common
both in racing and the military because “B*******Always Baffles Brain”.
Easy lead The leader is allowed to set his own pace
without being pressured by opponents.
Canter Routine exercise gait for racehorse, should be
qualified by further description. The ground where EPM Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis: Infection by
ingested parasite compromises horse’s system and insevere cases leads to loss of co-ordination. Supposedly Cheap speed Ability to run one or two furlongs fast, not
very useful in Thoroughbreds as minimum racedistance is much further.
Faces Habitual racecourse visitors. See Punters. Implies,
not necessarily accurately, some informed knowledge Cheeky See Coltish.
of the game. Can be very reliable sources of very Clock in head Rider’s [supposed] ability to accurately
False-run race Irregular, or very slow early, fractions.
Closer Finishes well.
Cold elements Unregistered ancestors in a pedigree,
Farmer’s race Informal work, horses of mixed ability in a
unlikely to have been completely racing bred.
Coltish Male horse’s over-awareness of his sexuality, too
Fever rings Raised horizontal rings on hoof surface,
indicating sickness or violent diet change.
Glossary
Find nothing See Die in hands.
Humane twitch Kinder version of the rope loop twisted
Foot/pastern axis [or hoof/pastern] The relationship
around the nose to subdue rebellious subjects, this one between the angle of the hoof and that of the pastern, more like a weak nutcracker. Fairly painless but still Foot, to have [or lack] a turn of To have [or lack]
In soak Left standing in breaking tackle.
acceleration. Sometimes referred to as having plenty of Isoxsuprine Circulatory stimulator, particularly effective in
some foot problems. Extremely difficult to judgeclearance times. Seek veterinary advice.
Fractions Sectional times of race or work. Fast early
fractions the most costly in terms of energy.
Jarred up Loss of normal fluency of action following
training or racing on firm ground. ‘Shouldery’.
Free Handicap Year end official assessment of the better
runners, now integrated with Europe and America. Jibber Specifically horse which is inclined to refuse to go
on to the exercise ground. Many actually do their work Free runner Difficult to restrain in early stages of race. In
as normal once they have jumped off, but the starting Free sweater Inclined to sweat without much exertion,
Jocked off Jockey - replaced by another.
implies nervous, excitable. In America, washy.
Jointy Specifically showing wear and tear in fetlock joints.
Gallop Technically fastest racehorse gait. Denotes strong
work in Europe, but cantering exercise in America.
Join-up Successful theory of bonding with nervous or
Also ground where such exercise takes place.
unco-operative animals. Can achieve very quickresults in getting horses ridden for the first time, but Galloping track With more emphasis on stamina, suited
mouthing, traffic practice etc. needs to be done Garrison finish Vigorous last-ditch effort, after Edward
Keys Small pieces of metal loosely attached to breaking
‘Snapper’ Garrison, 19th century American jockey.
bit to encourage salivation, a moist mouth is thought Get out of system Violent but not sustained reaction
provoked, often deliberately, by incautious application Laminitis Internal inflammation of the foot, traditionally
associated with over-rich diet, but also symptomatic of Green Inexperienced, unable to concentrate on putting
more general challenges to the animal’s system by maximum effort into a race because of that.
systemic disease. Mild cases may not cause lameness, Hack canter Just out of a trot.
and so not be diagnosed. Very acute and often fatalversion known as ‘founder’.
Half speed Around 27 or 28 seconds per quarter mile.
Lay out of ground Jockey - intentionally or otherwise, lag
Handicap mark Official assessment of horses ability
which dictates weight to be allotted.
Leary Unreliable, likely to take advantage of the unwary.
Hands [to keep his mount in his] Jockey - to have his
Common acquired failing amongst, especially older, mount prepared to accelerate on demand.
Hang Horse - tend to deviate from straight line. In
Leg [noun] Specifically injury to tendon in foreleg. [adj.]
America, tend not to go through with his effort in Leg trouble, leg problems - not specific, any limb closing stages of race, be ungenuine.
Hard-knocking Horse - gives his all in a race.
Long toe, low heel Regrettably a common form of
Have a go See Get out of system.
racehorse shoeing, minimises lost shoes, maximisesleg injuries.
Have it off Gamble successfully. By implication not
really a gamble, due to advance knowledge of likely Lot or Set Those horses taken out to exercise at the same
time, older horses were traditionally first lot, youngerones second lot, spares third lot.
Headcollar Halter.
Look of eagles Superior expression in outlook of
Hold, to take Horse - to pull for his head, try to accelerate.
racehorse, quite often indicates a superior runner.
Hold of, to catch or grab Jockey - to take, more or less
Lug in Tend to hang towards the rail, the opposite of bear
roughly, a shorter hold of his mount as a signal to Lunge rein Long rein used in early training from the
Horseman One able to get a living by hands-on work
ground, preferably with a swivel at the buckle to avoid Horseman’s Word Formerly associated with secret
Lyme disease Infection by spirochete resulting in total
undermining of system, although manifestations may Horse sense What horsemen have. Also what prevents
not be correctly attributed because they are so varied, in fact often referred to as ‘the great imitator’. Quite Racing Horses
possibly inherited, and certainly appears to be rife on produce of stallions whose median yearling price is certain properties. A very serious, though under- Condition race/Allowance race/Weight for Age race
Monty Roberts Horseman/showman. Join-up specialist
Eligibility requirements and weights to be carried and inventor of reinforced rug for horses unhappy are stipulated in conditions at time of entry. with feel of starting stalls against their sides.
Stakes race/Listed race In Britain, 3% of all races. A
Mouth Horse’s - good, bad, light, hard, one-sided etc.,
prestige category, winning confers heavier black responsiveness, or lack of it, to bit.
Naked oat Hybrid variety with no husk, hence more
Group race/Graded race In Britain, the top 2.5% of all
races. Very prestigious, particularly Group One, Need the race Not yet fit.
winning them confers major black type.
Non-trier euphemisms Having a run [round], practising.
Classic race The very best races for three-year-olds,
No fut, no ’oss Horseman’s saying.
run over distances from one mile to almost twomiles in Britain, nine furlongs to a mile and a half Normal canter First daily trip for horses in regular work
in America. Five races in European countries, three programme, about 17 or 18 seconds per furlong.
in America. A winner of three classics is a Triple OCD lesion Flaw in bone due to its irregular development.
The significance of it is not absolutely clear.
Handicap Weights allotted theoretically give all
Odds on The bettor has effectively become the
runners an equal chance, based on previous bookmaker, in that the winnings will be less than the performance. Obviously open to abuse.
amount risked due to the horse’s perceived Claiming race More logical system where connections
outstanding prospect of victory. A certain recipe for effectively handicap their own animal. The class of competition is relative to the claiming price. All Offset knee Structurally incorrect, see text.
horses can be claimed by qualified persons, an Pet Make a fuss of, show kindness to - and by implication
obvious disincentive to running a horse below his class. Unfortunately, British system includes a Pick up [his mount] Jockey - See Hold of, to catch or
friendly claim so that abusers of the system can hope to get their horses back if they run them intoo cheap a grade.
Pick up [his whip] Jockey - Turn whip into forehand
Selling race Theoretically the lowest grade. The winner
is offered for sale by auction after the race, all other Pigeon toes Turn in.
runners can be claimed. Useful two-year-olds can Plater Low grade racehorse, originally selling plate
occasionally be found amongst selling race winners.
standard but competitive in low grade handicaps Racing manners Horse’s acquired ability to conduct
himself to best advantage during a race.
Poling Touching young horse all over with a light pole in
Rein around Placing second lunge rein on off side so as
order to accustom to handling without risk of handler to first commence using the bit as a steering device.
“Revenons a ces moutons!” “Let us get back to the
Pony Horse of any size used for leading or accompanying
young or rebellious team members. Not a female in thecase of male followers.
Rogue’s badge Unjustified slang for blinkers.
Port The raised portion of the mouthpiece in some bar bits.
Rolled toe Rounding of the ground surface of the foot or
shoe at the toe to facilitate breakover.
Punishment Consequence of misbehaviour. To be
effective it must be seen as the immediate and Roller Heavy surcingle with breastgirth attached and
guaranteed consequence - stupidly a racehorse is frequently punished for doing his best.
Rubber Traditionally a linen cloth for grooming; the
Punters Bettors. More specifically, bettors in the
confidence of a lad or jockey who, directly or indirectly, Run down Abrasion to underside of fetlock joint caused
are payed for stable information. Unfortunately, often by lack of strength in suspensory apparatus. Protected found amongst the stable’s owners.
by run down bandages and/or patches, or by painting Quarter mark Decorative markings on horse’s coat, to
Run in all shapes and sizes Excuse used for purchase of
Races, basic types of:
Maiden Nonwinners. Can be restricted to animals
Saturday horse High class performer, stakes races tend
bought at auction below a stated price, or to the Glossary
Scalping Injury inflicted by forefoot on lower hind leg.
Often difficult to protect with bandage because of Systemic disease Any disease undermining the system
angle of blow. Harness horses wear specific boot to Taken off his feet, or legs Unable to keep up, unbalanced
Scope Physical frame showing likelihood of considerable
development and hence a racing career lasting beyondthe juvenile season.
Talking horse His reputation precedes him, often
Scope Veterinary endoscopic examination of the horse’s
Three parts [or three quarter, speed] About 25 or 26
See speed Ability of experienced horsemen to identify
likely successful runners on first quick inspection.
Toe See Foot, to have [or lack] a turn of.
Set fair Symmetrical arrangement of bedding in stable,
Toe grab Banned in Britain. Flange of about 1/4 inch on
the ground surface of the toe of a racing plate. Setfast Azoturia, in America ‘Tied-up’. Acute muscular
Tongue tie or strap Means of securing tongue in order to
avoid breathing or steering problems caused by its Sharp Physically precocious, likely to come to hand early
Trial Formal work, at predetermined weights, in which
Sharp Canter. See swinging canter, two minute rate.
there is at least one horse with known capabilities.
Sharp track With tight turns or undulations, unsuited to
Trip Distance of race, or work.
Trip The race itself, as in ‘horse had a rough trip.’
Short hip Measured from hip to furthest point of buttock.
Trot out Safe transition from working to walking.
A long hip is more likely to indicate speed.
Two minute gallop [or rate (per mile)] See swinging
Sidereins Reins fixed to saddle to keep head moderately
raised during driving and initial riding, attached to Unbalanced Unable to initially attain a rhythmic stride
saddle by keepers fixed to girth straps.
through being outpaced, or having lost it through Slack Long weak pasterns.
exhaustion. Often involves a degree of poor riding.
Something about him See Look of eagles.
Ungenuine, ungenerous Horse unwilling to do his best
Spares Newly arrived or lowly regarded horses not
Use up Jockey - exhaust, implicitly through faulty tactics,
Speed crazy Over-excited once fast work regime
commences, unable to relax at exercise.
Vetrap Proprietary self-adhesive bandage.
Splay feet Turn out. ‘Charlie Chaplin’.
Virus Coverall excuse for poor performance, although
Splint Bony enlargement on [usually] foreleg below knee.
Splint Strap of material incorporated between up and
War bridle See Comealong. May actually predate any
down runs of exercise bandage and passed under the Native American contact with horses.
fetlock to increase support to suspensory system.
Washy See Free sweater.
Standing martingale Runs from head to girth and
prevents young horses adopting high head carriage.
Waste Jockey - To reduce weight severely.
Fix to noseband or headcollar - not on to bit, which is Weight for age Scale of weights designed to neutralise
difference in maturity and strength between age Stargazer Carries his head much too high.
groups. Must always be considered in a trial.
Strapping Vigorous and prolonged grooming, previously
Whoa Common usage for all slow down and desist
a great annoyance to many horses. No longer Windgall Soft swelling above of fetlock indicating some
Stuffy Thick in wind, by implication due to insufficient
trauma in the area, quite common but requires constant monitoring. In America, windpuff.
Sucked along An inexplicably good effort, usually in a
Winding up Thrashing.
small field or a false-run race, and usually not repeated.
Wipe over A quick grooming.
Sweetfeed Proprietary feed, a mix of grains in a molasses
Work for benefit of the two-year-old Older horse not to
try to defeat younger work companion.
Sweet mouth Iron rather than stainless steel bit,
Working blister Irritation induced to improve blood
supply to injured limb, in order to promote healing.
Swinging canter About 15 seconds per furlong. See Two
Not severe enough to completely stop training.

Source: http://www.racinghorsesbook.com/book_content/rh_glossary.pdf