yiii INTRODUCTION. 



abroad. In consulting the book the reader will generally under- 

 stand in what cases the subject matter refers to the trotting or 

 racing turf, without a repetition of explanation, or a particular 

 statement that such fact pertains to the one or the other. The 

 veterinary terms have been limited mainly to those which 

 relate to the organs of locomotion, to age and soundness, with 

 such as pertain to common ailments, or those most closely 

 related to the horse as a track and riding animal. In law, the 

 general statutes and special acts of States relating to horses, 

 tracks, and racing are given, down to the close of the year 1893. 

 The incidents and facts of turf history ; accounts of remarka- 

 ble horses, races, and events ; interesting anecdotes illustrating 

 curious facts; biographical notices of distinguished persons, 

 and the copious references to trotting and racing performances 

 of a noteworthy character, have all been carefully compiled 

 from trustworthy sources. In brief, the book makes plain to 

 the non-professional reader, groom, driver, rider, and horseman, 

 the accurate meaning of scientific terms relating to the horse, 

 usually given in technical books only, in the language of science, 

 thus educating them in a practical but thoroughly correct man- 

 ner, in the sciences upon which so much of a true understand- 

 ing of their business and its successful prosecution is founded. 

 Few duplications or cross references have been used. Where a 

 choice has existed the preferable term alone has been defined, 

 or that which a person consulting the book would be most 

 likely to first refer to ; while cross references not only take up 

 space to no purpose, but are usually very unsatisfactory to who- 

 soever wishes to consult such a book. Owing to its alphabeti- 

 cal arrangement, the book is its own index ; hence, as the title 

 indicates, it is a handbook of reference for facts under special 

 headings, rather than a work to be read for the purpose of 

 obtaining a general view of the subjects which it embraces. 



Especially is the work useful as a compendium of the turf 

 rules of the United States, because the widest publicity that 

 can be given these rules not only enlightens horsemen and 

 members of associations and societies, but also the spectators 

 who attend fairs and patronize the races. Such persons are 

 much better satisfied when they see a decision made or penalty 



