A horse length, or simply length, is a unit of measurement for the length of a horse from nose to tail, approximately 8 feet (2.4 m).
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Use in horse racing
The length is commonly used in Thoroughbred horse racing, 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 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths (248 feet (76 m)). 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 length is equivalent to six seconds between horses; in a national hunt race on heavy going a length is equivalent to four seconds.
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 as well, particularly useful as a guide for riders in spacing animals apart when a number of them are all together in a riding arena, such as during group riding instruction or at a horse show.
Abbreviations
In reporting result of horse races winning margins are commonly abbreviated:
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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