132 HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 



are not considered winners in steeplechasing, but are consid- 

 ered winners in flat racing. The term " winning horse," with 

 reference to those liable to carry extra weight, or to be excluded 

 from any race, applies only to winners of hurdle races, value 

 $100 and upward, not including the winner's own stake. In 

 the absence of conditions welter weights are carried in hurdle 

 races. 



Hurdle Racing-. This style of racing is said to have 

 had its origin in the time of King George IV., when, in the 

 absence of better sport a royal hunting party on the Downs 

 near Brighton, amused themselves by racing over some flights 

 of sheep hurdles. The s23ort was thought to be so good that 

 regular races over hurdles were organized. In the early days 

 of the sport the close-wattled hurdle made of hazel was always 

 used. These were between four and five feet in height and so 

 firmly fastened into the ground that it was not easy to knock 

 them down. In more recent times the hm-dles were fixed 

 loosely in the ground, so that a mere tap would, throw them 

 over. The cross-country horse that is a good hurdle-racer 

 is regarded as an undeveloped steeplechaser. The hm'dles 

 are always to be jumped, not run through or knocked down. 

 The well trained hurdle-jumper will always judge his distance, 

 prepare for the jump, and glide over it, or " take off," easily. 



Hypodermic. A term pertaining to parts under the 

 skin ; relating to a remed}^, or drug, introduced under the skin 

 of the horse by means of a needle or hypodermic syringe. 



