Halter: Like a bridle, but lacking a bit used in handling horses around when they aren't ridden.
Hands: Scale used to measure height of a horse from withers to the ground; equal to four inches.
Handicap: Race for which track handicapper assigns weights to be carried; to make selections on the basis of past performances.
Handle: Amount of money wagered in pari-mutuels on a race or program during a meeting or for a year.
Handily: Horse racing well within itself, with little exertion from the jockey.
Hand ride: Urging a horse with the hands and not the whip.
Harrow: Implement or unit with pulling teeth or tines used to rake and loosen upper surface of a track.
Head: Margin of one horse leading a rival by length of a head.
Head of stretch: Beginning of straight run to finish line.
Heavy (track): Wettest possible condition of a turf course not usually found in North America.
Helmet: Required lightweight fiberglass cap worn by riders not considered part of jockey's riding weight.
High weight: Most weight assigned or carried in a race.
Homebred: Horse bred by owner.
Horse: Reference made to sex of ungelded male 5-years-old or older.
Hot walker: Person who walks horses to cool them out after workout or races.
Hung: Horse failing to advance position in a race when called upon by the jockey.
Hit this text to go back to the Horse Racing Terms Main Page
Here are some other handy links to the major races that you may fine valuable through out the year. We also have updated event pages for all major races. Check out our home page on the left navigation bar under the handicapping resources section during all major horse racing events. (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and Breeders Cup)
Kentucky Derby Odds
Kentucky Derby Picks
Preakness Stakes Odds
Preakness Stakes Picks
Belmont Stakes Odds
Belmont Stakes Picks
Breeders Cup Odds
Breeders Cup Picks
Remember to drop us a line if you have any questions about our Horse Racing Terms and Betting Terms or if there is anything we missed at service@docsports.com