160 HANDBOOK OF TH:E TURF. 



Some writers describe the baclc and loins as separate parts, but it 

 always appears to the writer that the latter is only a continuation, 

 or part ot the former; for when we come to consider roacli and 

 hollow backs, we find the anterior and posterior part of them so 

 intimately concerned in tlie peculiar cDnformation, that it is some- 

 what difficult to tell where one begins and the other leaves off; 

 that is, in tlie living creature; thoiigli in the skeleton the line of 

 demarcation is well marked, so much so tliat there is jiood reason 

 for those who prefer to describe them as separate regions to do so. 

 E. A. A. Grange, V. S., Michigan State College Experiment Station. 



liOng'-clistance Racing". A term referring to the 

 three and four mile heat races formerly run on the American 

 turf, as distinguished from the short, or dash races of more 

 recent years. See Dash. 



Long Pasterns. When long pasterns do not impair 

 the horse's action by causing weakness, he is sound; but if 

 the length of the pasterns arises from the rupture, or unnatural 

 elongation of the tendon, the horse is then broken down and 

 is unsound. 



Long Shots. To " take the long shots " is to back a horse 

 which is not in popular favor at the moment, and against 

 which the book-makers, therefore, give a larger rate of odds. 

 It is, in fact, a form of speculation for the rise. 



How oft, at morn, we've laughed to scorn 



A long shot's chance to win ; 

 How oft, at eve, we've had to grieve 



O'er our dei^arted tin. 

 "We've had the tip, and let it slip, 



What's done we can't retract, 

 And we've had to pay on the settling day, 



O'er the winner we might have backed. 



—Tlie Sporting Times. 



Long-waisted Daughter of Alcyone. Cognomen 

 of the famous mare, Martha Wilkes, 2.11^. 



Longeing. [Eng.] The act of teaching a colt obedi- 

 ence; the first lessons of colt education. Often sjjelled 

 allongeing. 



• Look-over. The last rapid, but trained and careful 

 examination which is always taken of horse, sulky, boots, 

 buckles, straps, nuts, bolts, before coming out for a heat. 



Looking On. A term implying that a horse is not 

 intended to do his best in a race ; is not a winner ; is in the 

 race just to look on; a cock horse. 



Loop. The scoring ground of a kite track, occupying a 

 space about one hundred and sixty by four hundred feet. 

 This space is often in the form of an oval course, with a small 

 green in the center ; and in other cases it is all graded to a 

 level. 



Loops. Rein holders. 



