120 HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 



Hind Action. Perfect hind action in the trotter is just 

 sufficiently wide to prevent interference with the fore legs and 

 feet; and yet, brought as nearly as it can to approach to a 

 straight line with the forward action, without interference, or 

 the least loss of muscular power. 



Hippoclroming'. An old term, said to have been first 

 used by George Wilkes in 1857, to denote the plan of taking 

 tw^o well known horses together through the country to trot 

 for purses and divide the profits. The plan met with great 

 opposition when first started. Flora Tenij)le and Lancet w^ere 

 the first horses to trot together in this way, Avhich they 

 did at Elmira, N. Y., September 2, 1857. Kow termed 

 " campaigning." 



Hippometer. A French term for a standard adjustable 

 instrument for measuring the height of horses — consisting of an 

 upright standard, an arm to rest on the shoulder, and register- 

 ing the height in centimetres. 



Hippometric Cane. A cane which pulls out in seg- 

 ments, one within the other, being a metallic rod within a 

 hollow rattan staff or cane, and fastened in, when closed, by 

 means of springs. Used for measuring the height of horses. 



Hippopliag-y. The consumption of horse meat as human 

 food. 



Hippopliile. A horse fancier; one who has a special 

 love or fondness for horses. 



Hip-Straps. The pieces of a harness attached to the 

 back straps, on each side, which hold the breeching-straps and 

 breeching in place. 



Hiring' Horses. [Law.] When a horse is let out for 

 hire for the purpose of performing a particular journey, the 

 person letting warrants it fit and competent for such journey ; 

 and the owner of the horse is liable for any accident which 

 may befall it when used with reasonable care by the person 

 hiring it. 



History. The three great periods into which the history 

 of the English turf and the breeding of horses is naturally 

 'divided, are : 1. From the beginning of history to the end of the 

 reign of Queen Elizabeth, (1603), or before the times of the 

 thoroughbred horse; 2. from the ascension of James I. in 1G03, 

 to the year 1791, the first publication of the Stud Book, the 

 period of the making of the thoroughbred horse, and ; 3, from 

 1791 to the present day. Races w^ere known in very early 

 times. In the reign of Henry II., (1154-1189), tournaments 

 began to be of frequent occurrence, and one writer, Fitz- 



