Industry glossary
Terms you will meet in the documents, systems and scenarios.
Acceptance
The confirmation that a nominated horse will start in a race, lodged by the deadline set by the racing authority.
Withholding period
The number of days after a treatment during which a horse must not race because the substance could still be detected.
Strapper
The stable staff member who prepares, leads and attends a horse at a race meeting or trial.
Trackwork
The morning exercise of racehorses on the training track, ranging from slow pacework to timed fast work.
Hopples
Straps fitted to a pacer's legs in harness racing to help the horse hold its pacing gait.
Foaling down
Attending a mare through the birth of her foal and the first hours afterwards.
Oestrus
The period in which a mare is receptive to the stallion and can be mated.
Swab
A urine, blood or hair sample taken from a horse by racing officials to test for prohibited substances.
Spelling
A period of rest in a paddock between racing preparations.
Stud book
The official register of thoroughbred or standardbred breeding, identity and parentage kept by the breed authority.