Headgear and starting stalls

When horses begin their careers, it is unlikely they will need to wear any headgear. As the trainer gets to know them better, and the horse learns more about racing, they may need to wear something to help improve their form.

When a horse is declared to race, the trainer must state whether the horse will wear any form of headgear. The jockey must ride at the weight published in the press, in accordance with the conditions of the race. Before the race, the jockey must present themselves with their saddle to the Clerk of the Scales, along with any headgear the horse is wearing. They will ensure before and after the race that the correct weight is carried. When the jockey 'weighs out' prior to the race, they must present any blinkers, visor etc for inspection.

Trainers use headgear for different reasons. Blinkers are traditionally known as being employed on ungenuine horses to help them concentrate, or to encourage them to channel their efforts. Traditionally, jockeys and trainers are often hesitant to use blinkers, as they are often worn by horses who do not give their all (known as 'ungenuine horses'). In truth, blinkers have been used for centuries on some of the most genuine horses ever known: those who pull carts and farming equipment. Blinkers prevent a horse from seeing behind them, hopefully ensuring that all their efforts are channelled into going forwards.

Blinkers can build confidence in certain horses, especially when jumping, if without blinkers they are distracted by other horses around them. Example: In The Cove wears blinkers.

A visor works similarly to blinkers, but has a small section cut out of the eye cup, which allows partial vision behind the horse. Sometimes a trainer will alternate between blinkers and a visor if he feels the horse needs a change. Example: Cable Guy wore a visor in his second and third races.

Cheek pieces are rectangles of synthetic sheepskin wrapped around the horse's bridle on either side. They are a intermediate 'remedy' designed to help in the same way that blinkers do, but allow much more vision than blinkers, as they only reduce vision directly behind the horse. Sheepskin nosebands are the same as cheekpieces, except they are worn across the horse's nose. Some feel they encourage the horse to lower its head, and they do not have to be declared. Example: Getaway Trump often wears cheek pieces.

Hoods work in a different way to blinkers. They are effectively blinkers without the eye cups, but with the addition of thick rubber-lined ear pockets to shield the horse from noise. They are used to calm horses down, which can have a negative effect in a close finish, as the horse may not hear his opponents approaching to challenge from behind. Earplugs are an alternative to hoods to block out sound, but are not as popular. Example: Force Ten has been tried in a hood.

Red hoods are worn in the parade ring and going to the start (as some horses struggle to cope with the preliminaries), but cannot be worn in the race itself. They are coloured red to signify they are worn for this reason.

Eye shields have mesh covers over the horse's eyes, and can also be known as pacifiers. They also have a calming effect, and can help prevent kick back (sand thrown back from the hooves of horses racing in front of you) on the all-weather from upsetting horses.

Tongue ties or tongue straps are worn to keep the horse's tongue still in the mouth. They help to prevent horses from 'swallowing' their tongues (drawing the tongue to the back of the mouth), which naturally helps to improve their breathing. Many horses who have undergone a wind operation will still wear a tongue tie (which must be declared), and will usually wear a cross or 'grackle' noseband with it. Nosebands do not have to be declared. Cross nosebands cross over the nose and are fastened above and below the bit (the rider's steering mechanism that goes through the horse's mouth). This helps to keep the mouth shut and straight (discourages crossing of the jaw), which is seen as another way to help horses to breathe efficiently, bearing in mind horses cannot breathe through their mouths. Example: Alcala wears a tongue tie.

Some owners have questioned whether tongue ties should be used, but their effectiveness is in little doubt to most trainers. Before any horse leaves the parade ring to race, they are checked by the racecourse vet, who must ensure they are fitted correctly (neither too tight or too loose) and the horse is comfortable. Many horses will have been worked in a tongue tie on the gallops before they race in one.

At the start

Blindfolds can be warn to encourage horses into the starting stalls, and are often removed as close to the starting point of the race as possible by the jockey. Some horses routinely wear a blindfold to load, so much so that stalls handlers will know this before the horse even arrives at the start.

Some horses will be loaded into the stalls wearing a very thick blanket over their quarters. This is then fastened to the back of the stalls, so it falls off when the horse starts the race. Sir Mark Prescott claims he was the first to design this rug, which prevents the horse from being frightened when their sides make contact with the side of the stalls (which are relatively narrow). Since Sir Mark's design, famous American natural horseman Monty Roberts has often used the rug, and is generally credited to having designed it. They are made of very heavy carpet-like material.

When horses arrive at the stalls, horses are usually loaded in sequence dependent on their racecard number. The jockey can request to be loaded into the stalls last of all, but if they do this several times, the horse will have to undergo a stalls test before they can race again. A stalls test takes place on a raceday, usually before racing. The horse will canter to the start to be loaded into the stalls under the supervision of the starter, and can be made to stand in the stalls for up to a minute. The stalls are then opened and the horse will pass the test as long as they give little or no trouble to the starter and their assistants. The horse is then free to race again.