Glossary: Horse Racing Terminology A

abaxial (fracture): See sesamoids.
acey-deucy: Uneven stirrups, popularized by Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Arcaro, who rode with his left (inside) iron lower than his right to achieve better balance on turns.
across the board: A bet on a horse to win, place and show. If the horse wins, the player collects three ways; if second, two ways; and if third, one way, losing the win and place bets. Actually three wagers.
action: 1) A horse's manner of moving. 2) A term meaning wagering, for example, "The horse took a lot of action."
acupressure: Utilizing stimulation on acupuncture points to treat an animal.
acupuncture: A centuries-old means of treating an animal or human through the use of needles, electrical current or moxibustion (heat and herbs) to stimulate or realign the body's electrical fields.
added money: Money added to the purse of a race by the racing association or a breeding or other fund to the amount paid by owners in nomination, eligibility, entry and starting fees: for example, "the $1 million-added Kentucky Derby."
added weight: A horse carrying more weight than the conditions of the race require, usually because the jockey exceeds the stated limit.
Adequan: Brand name for polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, used in the treatment of certain arthritic conditions.
age: All Thoroughbreds celebrate their birthday on Jan. 1.
agent: A person empowered to transact business for a stable owner or jockey, or empowered to sell or buy horses for an owner or breeder.
airing: Not running at best speed in a race.
all-age race: A race for two-year-olds and up.
all out: When a horse extends itself to the utmost.
allowance race: A race for which the racing secretary drafts certain conditions to determine weights to be carried based on the horse's age, sex and/or past performance.
allowances: Reductions in weights to be carried, allowed because of the conditions of the race or because an apprentice jockey is on a horse. Also, a weight reduction female horses are entitled to when racing against males, or that three-year-olds receive against older horses.
also-eligible: A horse officially entered for a race, but not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches below a specified number.
angular limb deformity: A limb that is not conformationaly correct because of developmental problems in the angles of the joints.
anhydrosis: Inability to sweat in response to work output or increases in body temperature. Also known as a "non-sweater." Most are athletic horses though frequently the condition appears in pasteured horses not being ridden. Most commonly occurs when both the temperature and humidity are high. Horses raised in temperate regions and then transported to hot climates are most prone to develop the condition but even acclimated horses can be at risk. Clinical signs include inability to sweat, increased respiratory rate, elevated body temperature and decreased exercise tolerance. The condition can be reversed if the horse is moved to a more temperate climate.
anterior: Toward the front.
anterior enteritis: Acute inflammation of the small intestine producing signs of abdominal distress, such as colic and diarrhea.
apical (fracture): See sesamoids.
apprentice: Rider who has not ridden a certain number of winners within a specified period of time. Also known as a "bug," from the asterisk used to denote the weight allowance such riders receive.
apprentice allowance: Weight concession given to an apprentice rider: usually 10 pounds until the fifth winner, seven pounds until the 35th winner and five pounds for one calendar year from the 35th winner. More rarely, a three-pound allowance is allowed to a rider under contract to a specific stable/owner for two years from his/her first win. This rule varies from state to state. Apprentices do not receive an allowance when riding in a stakes race. All jockeys going from track to track must have a receipt from the clerk of scales from their track verifying the jockeys' most recent total number of wins. Also known as a "bug," from the asterisk used to denote the weight allowance.
apron: The (usually) paved area between the grandstand and the racing surface.
arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. An increase in the amount of synovial fluid in the joint is a result of this inflammation. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the fetlock joint is called a "wind puff" or "wind gall." In young horses, a swelling in the fetlock joint, particularly on the front of the joint where the cannon and long pastern bones meet, is called a "green osselet." This swelling is a result of inflammation and reactive changes of the front edges of these two bones and adjacent cartilage. If the green osselet does not heal, a "chronic osselet" might develop with a permanent build-up of synovial fluid in the joint and inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule over the damaged area with secondary bone changes following the initial inflammation.
arthroscope: A tiny tube of lenses used for viewing areas inside a joint. Usually attached to a small video camera.
arthroscopic surgery: Utilizing an arthroscope to perform surgery, eliminating the need to open the joint with a large incision in order to view the damaged area.
articular cartilage: Cartilage that covers the ends of bones where they meet in a joint.
artificial breeding: Includes artificial insemination or embryo transfer (transplants). Not approved by The Jockey Club.
arytenoid cartilages: Triangular cartilages in the upper part of the entrance to the larynx. Movements of the arytenoid cartilages control the diameter of the laryngeal opening.
ataxia: Loss or failure of muscular coordination.
atrophy: To waste away, usually used in describing muscles.
auxiliary starting gate: A second starting gate used when the amount of horses in a race exceeds the capacity of the main starting gate.
Average-Earnings Index (AEI): A breeding statistic that compares racing earnings of a stallion or mare's foals to those of all other foals racing at that time. An AEI of 1.00 is considered average, 2.00 is twice the average, 0.50 half the average, etc.

Note: Information Provided by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc.