A horse length, or simply length, is a
unit of measurement
A unit of measurement, or unit of measure, is a definite magnitude (mathematics), magnitude of a quantity, defined and adopted by convention or by law, that is used as a standard for measurement of the same kind of quantity. Any other qua ...
for the length of a
horse
The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...
from nose to tail, approximately .
Use in horse racing
The length is commonly used in
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...
, where it describes the distance between horses in a race. Horses may be described as winning by several lengths, as in the notable example of
Secretariat, who won the
1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths. In 2013, the
New York Racing Association placed a blue-and-white checkered pole at
Belmont Park to mark that winning margin; using Equibase's official measurement of a length——the pole was placed from the finish line.
More often, winning distances are merely a fraction of a length, such as half a length. In British horse racing, the distances between horses are calculated by converting the time between them into lengths by a scale of lengths-per-second. The actual number of lengths-per-second varies according to the type of race and the going conditions. For example, in a flat turf race run on good going, a value of six lengths-per-second is used; in a national hunt race on heavy going, where horses are assumed to be moving more slowly, the value is four lengths-per-second.
Other measures
Distances smaller than that are similarly described in reference to the equine body with terms such as a "neck",
and a "head", a "short head" or "nose", the smallest possible named advantage by which a horse can win. In Ireland a margin of more than 30 lengths is described as a "distance". In the United Kingdom, the maximum recognised distance is 99 lengths, with anything over this being referred to as "99+ lengths". In France the term "short neck" is used for a margin intermediate between a head and a neck.
Harness race finishing margins are typically measured in meters.
Other uses
These terms are used in other disciplines of
equestrianism
Equestrianism (from Latin , , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding ( Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (American English), includes the disciplines of riding, driving, and vaulting. This broad description includes the ...
as well. It is particularly useful as a guide for riders in spacing animals apart when a number of them are all together in a riding
arena
An arena is a large enclosed venue, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, Music, musical performances or Sport, sporting events. It comprises a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for specta ...
such as during group
riding instruction or at a
horse show
A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and pony, ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrianism, equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days ...
.
Abbreviations
In reporting result of horse races winning margins are commonly abbreviated:
See also
*
Glossary of equestrian terms
This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the centuries for horses and other equidae, as well as various horse-related concepts. Where noted, some terms are used only in Americ ...
*
Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
The Australian and New Zealand punting glossary explains some of the terms, jargon and slang which are commonly used and heard on Australian and New Zealand racecourses, in Totalizator Agency Board, TABs, on radio, and in the horse racing medi ...
(horse-racing terms)
*
List of unusual units of measurement
*
Glossary of North American horse racing
The following is a glossary of North American horse racing.
Additional glossaries at:
*Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
*Glossary of equestrian terms
*Parimutuel betting#Parimutuel bet types
A
B
...
References
{{reflist
Horse racing terminology
Units of length