HAN^DBOOK OF THE TURF. 65 



back strap to the end, a loop in the end of which receives and 

 holds the horse's tail. 



Cup. A vessel of precious metal, like silver or gold; or 

 an elaborately wrought piece of plate offered as a prize to be 

 contended for in a race. 



Cup-races. Races in which horses start for a cup rather 

 than for a purse or stake ; a term applied to match races. 



Cuppy. A cuppy track is a soft, sandy track, the surface 

 of which is said to cup when the horse's foot leaves an impres- 

 sion upon it in the form of a small hollow, as though a cupful 

 of earth had been removed ; this condition being caused by the 

 contact of the horse's shoe in going over it at high speed. A 

 track that is cuppy is always a slow track. 



Curb. A chain or strap attached to the upper ends of 

 the branches of the bit of a bridle, and passing under the 

 horse's lower jaw ; used chiefly in controlling a spirited or 

 vicious horse. The curb rein is attached to the lower end of 

 the fauces of the bit, and when it is pulled the curb is pressed 

 forward against the horse's jaw in such a manner as to compel 

 obedience. The proper length for the curb is about one-fourth 

 more than the width of the mouth ; and it should be outside of 

 the bridoon bit, for if placed inside of it the constant pressure of 

 the bit on the curb would chafe and injure the under jaw bone. 



Curb. A swelling in the median line of the hind limb 

 just backwards of the back part of the hock, where in the nor- 

 mal state there should be a straight line, extending from the 

 upper end of the point of the hock down to the fetlock. At 

 first it is soft and doughy, later hard and resistant. Due gen- 

 erally to a sprain of the tendon which plays over the front of 

 the hock, though in some cases the ligament beneath the tendon 

 is injured. If large enough to be distinctly seen, or if it has 

 been disfigured by treatment or otherwise, it is a blemish ; but 

 while forming, if the horse is lame, he is indisputably unsound. 



Curb-bit. A form of bit for the bridle which by the 



exertion of slight effort can be made to produce great pressure 



on the horse's mouth. 



It is impossible to ride well on any horse nnless the curl>bit is prop- 

 erly made and properly adjusted.— The Saddle Horse. 



Curb-chain. The curb-chain is made flat so that when 

 twisted into shape it lies almost as smooth as a band of leather 

 against the chin. It is attached by spring-hooks to the eyes of 

 the upper ends of the levers of the bit. 



Curby Hocks. A curby hock is one which is slightly 

 bulged out behind. In some horses they are congenital and 

 5 



