Gear

Description

Blinkers

Placed over the horse’s eyes, they help focus its attention straight ahead and prevent it from being distracted by things behind it. Blinkers can be applied to one eye (near or off side) or most commonly to both eyes. A trainer will often apply blinkers to ‘switch’ a horse on and that may result in a sudden performance improvement (especially if blinkers are applied for the first time.) The potential downside is that blinkers may make a horse ‘fire up’ too much and race ungenerously.

Winkers

Also focuses a horse’s attention straight ahead, but allows more side vision than blinkers. A favourite alternative to blinkers with many trainers.

Pacifiers

A mesh cover placed over the horse’s eyes to help it relax more (i.e. they pacify anxious or excitable horses.) A horse has to concentrate more so it can see through the pacifiers.

Nose Roll

A sheepskin roll placed over the horse's nose to make it carry its head at a better angle for racing. The more a horse lifts its head up, the harder it is to see over the nose roll.

Tongue Tie

A strap that keeps the horse’s tongue down in the right place, preventing it from either swallowing its tongue or more commonly 'choking down' which obviously hinders performance.

Bar Plates / Bar Shoes

Used for horses with feet trouble. They take pressure off the heel and help distribute weight evenly around the hoof. Their use is usually a sign that not all is well with the horse’s feet, which is a natural concern from a betting perspective.

Glue On Shoes

Another solution for horses with bad feet and problems that prevent the fitting of normal race plates. They can’t be considered anything but a negative factor.

Shockshod Shoes

Used on horses with sensitive feet to help reduce bruising that can come from hard galloping.

Bandages

Protective wraps around a horse’s legs. Some horses regularly race in bandages so their significance is relative to past runs.

Lugging Bit

Used to prevent a horse from hanging in or out during its races. Keeping the horse on a true course can naturally improve performance.

Norton Bit

Helps to stop a horse from pulling hard during its races. Can lead to improved performance.

Tongue Control Bit

Prevents a horse from getting its tongue over the bit, which hinders performance.

Cross Over Nose Band

Stops a horse from opening it’s mouth during races. Can lead to improved performance.

Barrier Blanket

A heavy blanket placed over a horse’s rump before loading into the barrier stalls. It helps to calm the horse during the time it’s standing in the stalls. The blanket is attached to the barrier stalls so that it naturally comes off when the horse leaves the barriers.