Post by rebecca sawyer on May 17, 2009 15:22:48 GMT -5
the following information was compiled to educate all members on the different equipment that can be put on a racehorse.
description: a material mask that covers the upper half of the horses face, with holes cut out for the eyes. different styled cups are placed partially over the eyes, so that the only thing they will see is what's in front of them.
the good: will help with easily distracted horses, as well as horses that bear out or in without the jockey's discretion.
the bad: a horse may bolt right from the gates and run straight at full speed, instead of resuming it's regular racing position.
description: an attachment to the aforementioned blinkers, only the ears are completely covered to reduce the intensity of the crowd if the loud sounds generally spook or make the horse uneasy.
the good: ear muffs will help keep skittish horses calm while in the paddock, or while running in front of the grandstands.
the bad: while some horses thrive from the loss in hearing around large crowds, some may lose running ability. hearing is one of the main senses that can help a horse excell on the track, and without it at 100%, a horse may not run as well as it normally does.
description: a form of bridle used to help the jockey have more control over his mount.
the good: a horse that is generally rank or "all over the place" while running will be easily controlled, and could very well perform way better than before.
the bad: while some horses are easier to maintain under the figure-8 bridle, some horses may continue to fight it during the race. this may result in the horse giving up mid-race and resume fighting his/her rider the entire way to the wire.
description: wraps for either front legs, hind legs or all four. helps prevent injuries and adds support to the legs during a race.
the good: helps prevent leg injuries during a race.
the bad: a horse may dislike the feeling of the bandages, but this should be noticed during workouts before the horse is entered into a race. this could possibly effect the horse's overall performance if left untouched.
description: a medication given to horses mainly known as "bleeders" before a race. this medication will prevent bleeding, which could heavily effect the horse's ability to breathe, which would heavily effect the horse's performance no doubt.
the good: prevents bleeding, helps the horse perform excellently.
the bad: there are not many downsides to this medication, unless the horse has a bad reaction to it.
description: a sheepskin fleece roll normally placed along the noseband of the bridle.
the good: prevents the horse from seeing it's own shadow, thus preventing it from jumping unexpectedly.
the bad: a horse may become irritated by the sudden addition, or may suffer from a rash if the material does not rub well with their skin.
description: a thin piece of material tied overtop of the horse's tongue to keep them from biting or swallowing it during a race.
the good: keeps a horse from biting down or swallowing their tongue.
the bad: may cause pain to the horse if not put on correctly; this would effect their racing ability notably.
description: a material mask that covers the upper half of the horses face, with holes cut out for the eyes. different styled cups are placed partially over the eyes, so that the only thing they will see is what's in front of them.
the good: will help with easily distracted horses, as well as horses that bear out or in without the jockey's discretion.
the bad: a horse may bolt right from the gates and run straight at full speed, instead of resuming it's regular racing position.
description: an attachment to the aforementioned blinkers, only the ears are completely covered to reduce the intensity of the crowd if the loud sounds generally spook or make the horse uneasy.
the good: ear muffs will help keep skittish horses calm while in the paddock, or while running in front of the grandstands.
the bad: while some horses thrive from the loss in hearing around large crowds, some may lose running ability. hearing is one of the main senses that can help a horse excell on the track, and without it at 100%, a horse may not run as well as it normally does.
description: a form of bridle used to help the jockey have more control over his mount.
the good: a horse that is generally rank or "all over the place" while running will be easily controlled, and could very well perform way better than before.
the bad: while some horses are easier to maintain under the figure-8 bridle, some horses may continue to fight it during the race. this may result in the horse giving up mid-race and resume fighting his/her rider the entire way to the wire.
description: wraps for either front legs, hind legs or all four. helps prevent injuries and adds support to the legs during a race.
the good: helps prevent leg injuries during a race.
the bad: a horse may dislike the feeling of the bandages, but this should be noticed during workouts before the horse is entered into a race. this could possibly effect the horse's overall performance if left untouched.
description: a medication given to horses mainly known as "bleeders" before a race. this medication will prevent bleeding, which could heavily effect the horse's ability to breathe, which would heavily effect the horse's performance no doubt.
the good: prevents bleeding, helps the horse perform excellently.
the bad: there are not many downsides to this medication, unless the horse has a bad reaction to it.
description: a sheepskin fleece roll normally placed along the noseband of the bridle.
the good: prevents the horse from seeing it's own shadow, thus preventing it from jumping unexpectedly.
the bad: a horse may become irritated by the sudden addition, or may suffer from a rash if the material does not rub well with their skin.
description: a thin piece of material tied overtop of the horse's tongue to keep them from biting or swallowing it during a race.
the good: keeps a horse from biting down or swallowing their tongue.
the bad: may cause pain to the horse if not put on correctly; this would effect their racing ability notably.
