Horses wear face coverings during races for protective and performance-enhancing reasons. The blinders, attached to the bridle, restrict their peripheral vision, helping them focus on the track ahead and reducing distractions. Additionally, the blinkers prevent horses from seeing other competitors, minimizing potential spooking or swerving. The noseband, also part of the bridle, helps control the horse’s head position and prevents them from opening their mouths excessively, which can lead to impaired breathing while running at high speeds.
Blinders
Blinders are used on racehorses to restrict their field of vision. This can help to improve their focus and concentration, as they are less likely to be distracted by other horses or objects around them. Blinders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials, including leather, plastic, and rubber. Some horses only wear blinkers on one eye, while others wear them on both eyes. The type of blinders used will depend on the individual horse and the race conditions.
- Cup blinkers: These are the most common type of blinker, and they cover the horse’s eyes completely.
- Cheek blinkers: These blinkers only cover the horse’s eyes from the side, and they allow the horse to see what is in front of them.
- French blinkers: These blinkers cover the horse’s eyes from the top and the bottom, and they only allow the horse to see what is directly in front of them.
Shadow Rolls
Shadow rolls are used on racehorses to prevent them from seeing their own shadow. This can help to reduce spooking and other nervous behaviour, as the horse is less likely to be startled by its own movements. Shadow rolls are made from a variety of materials, including leather, fabric, and rubber, and they are typically attached to the horse’s bridle.
Shadow rolls can be used in conjunction with blinders, or they can be used on their own. The type of shadow roll used will depend on the individual horse and the race conditions.
| Type of shadow roll | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard shadow roll | Covers the horse’s eyes completely |
| Half shadow roll | Covers the horse’s eyes from the side |
| Quarter shadow roll | Covers the horse’s eyes from the top |
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Vision Restriction
Racehorses wear blinders or blinkers to restrict their field of vision. This helps them focus on the track ahead and avoid distractions. Blinders are typically made of leather or plastic and are attached to the horse’s bridle. They come in different shapes and sizes, and can be adjusted to block out varying amounts of the horse’s peripheral vision.
There are a few reasons why trainers use blinders on racehorses. First, they can help prevent the horse from being distracted by other horses or objects on the track. This can be especially helpful in races with a large field of horses. Second, blinders can help the horse stay focused on the task at hand, which is running as fast as possible. By eliminating distractions, blinders can help the horse improve its performance.
Focus
Racehorses wear blinkers or blinders to improve their focus on the race. By restricting their field of vision, blinkers help the horse to ignore distractions and stay focused on the track ahead. This can be especially helpful in races with a large field of horses, as it prevents the horse from becoming distracted by the other runners.
In addition to helping the horse stay focused, blinkers can also help to improve its performance. By eliminating distractions, blinkers allow the horse to concentrate on running as fast as possible. This can lead to improved times and a better chance of winning.
| Benefit | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Restrict vision | Prevents distractions and helps the horse stay focused on the track ahead |
| Improve performance | Allows the horse to concentrate on running as fast as possible |
## Horse Racing Headgear
Horses wear a variety of headgear when racing, each with its own unique style and purpose. These pieces of equipment are designed to protect the horse’s face and head, as well as to help them focus on the race.
### Blinkers
Blinkers are used to prevent horses from seeing behind them, which can help them stay focused on the race and avoid distractions. They come in a variety of styles, including full cups, half cups, and quarter cups, and can be made from a variety of materials, such as leather, plastic, and rubber.
### Blinders
Blinders are similar to blinkers, but they cover the horse’s eyes completely. They are used to keep horses from being distracted by the crowd or other horses. Blinders are typically made from a soft material, such as fleece or felt, and are often used in conjunction with blinkers.
### Nosebands
Nosebands are used to keep the horse’s mouth closed and prevent them from biting. They come in a variety of styles, including cavesson nosebands, drop nosebands, and flash nosebands. Nosebands are typically made from leather or webbing, and can be adjusted to fit the horse’s head snugly.
### Shadow Rolls
Shadow rolls are used to prevent horses from throwing their heads back. They are typically made from a soft material, such as fleece or felt, and are attached to the horse’s bridle. Shadow rolls can help to keep the horse’s head in a more upright position, which can improve their balance and performance.
| Headgear | Purpose | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Blinkers | Prevent horses from seeing behind them | Full cups, half cups, quarter cups |
| Blinders | Cover the horse’s eyes completely | Soft material, such as fleece or felt |
| Nosebands | Keep the horse’s mouth closed | Cavesson nosebands, drop nosebands, flash nosebands |
| Shadow Rolls | Prevent horses from throwing their heads back | Soft material, such as fleece or felt |
Well, there you have it, folks! We’ve covered everything you need to know about what horses wear on their faces when they’re out on the racetrack. From blinkers to shadow rolls, each piece of equipment serves a specific purpose to help the horse perform at their best. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more equine-related articles in the future. Until next time, keep your hooves to the ground and your reins tight!