42 HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 



Break Away. A horse that gets control of his driver, 

 and jumps and runs at the score or when getting the word, is 

 said to " break aw^ay." 



Break Down. A strain of the suspensory ligament; 

 the severest form of injury which this sinew can endure. The 

 structure lies betw^een the shank-bone and the back tendons 

 and extends from the back of the lower part of the knee to the 

 sesamoids, or small bones which form the pulley foi- the tendons 

 behind the fetlock. The seat of the sprain or break may be 

 at any part, but is usually in the lower third of the shank, 

 where it divides into an inner and an outer branch. The 

 sprain may cause but a slight swelling, or the ligament may be 

 completely torn across, the fetlock descending to the ground 

 and the toe turning up. In the case of severe injuries of this 

 nature the limb is spoiled for life, and no art can ever replace 

 the structures which have been disorganized. 



Breastplate. The wide strap of the harness which 

 goes round the breast of the horse, to which the tug or trace is 

 buckled, and by which the sulky or carriage is drawn. 



Breeching'. That part of the harness which goes round 

 the hind legs or breech, from one side to the other, to prevent 

 the carriage or sulky from pressing against the horse, and to 

 back it W'hen required. 



Breeching Straps. Straps attached to the breeching 

 at that point on each side where the hip straps are connected 

 wdth it, extending to the hold-back irons of the shafts. 



Breed. A race or progeny from the same line of 

 ancestry having an alliance by some distinguishing qualities 

 in common, which are transmitted by heredity. 



Breeder. According to turf rulings the breeder is the 

 man who owns or controls the mare when she is bred to the 

 horse; not the person who owns the dam when the colt is 

 foaled. 



Breeders* Certificate. A ^^Titing given by a breeder 

 to the purchaser of a horse, containing a copy of his pedigree 

 as given in the stud book or trotting register, certifying that 

 the horse is the one described; or containing a pedigree and 

 certificate that such horse is eligible to registry.' 



Breeders' Record. A term formerly much used to 

 describe the results of a private trial of speed. It has no 

 meaning, or significance, or value. There is no such thing 

 recognized as a breeders' record. 



Breeding". The rearing of live stock of any class, partic- 

 ularly by combining or crossing one strain of a species or 



