HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED: WHY DO RACEHORSES WEAR BLINKERS?

If you've ever watched a horse race, you've probably noticed that some racehorses wear distinctive eye cups attached to their headgear. These are known as blinkers, and they're one of the most common types of horse racing headgear used by trainers.

But why do racehorses wear blinkers, and do they actually improve performance?

Here's everything you need to know about blinkers, why trainers use them, and how they differ from other types of racing equipment.

What Are Blinkers?

Blinkers are a type of racehorse headgear designed to reduce a horse's peripheral vision. The eye cups sit on either side of the horse's head, blocking some of its side vision while leaving its forward vision completely clear.

Horses naturally have almost 360-degree vision, an important survival trait that helps them detect potential danger in the wild. On a racecourse, however, that wide field of view can become a distraction, with crowds, rival horses, television cameras and trackside activity all competing for the horse's attention.

By limiting what the horse can see to the sides, blinkers encourage it to focus on what's directly ahead.

Why Do Racehorses Wear Blinkers?

Every racehorse has its own temperament, and trainers use blinkers to help horses that struggle to concentrate during a race.

A trainer may fit blinkers if a horse:

• Becomes distracted by its surroundings.

• Drifts or hangs across the track.

• Looks around instead of focusing on the race.

• Loses concentration when challenged by other runners.

• Performs below expectations despite showing ability at home.

It's important to remember that blinkers don't make a horse faster. Instead, they're designed to help some horses make better use of the ability they already possess by reducing distractions.

Do Blinkers Improve Performance?

Sometimes—but not always.

Some horses show immediate improvement when fitted with blinkers, while others show little or no difference. In some cases, blinkers can even make a horse race too keenly, causing it to expend too much energy in the early stages.

Because every horse reacts differently, trainers often assess performance over several runs before deciding whether blinkers should remain part of the horse's regular equipment.

Equipment changes are shown on racecards, allowing followers of the sport to see when a horse is wearing blinkers for the first time or returning to them after previous runs.

Different Types of Horse Racing Headgear

Blinkers are just one type of equipment available to trainers. Several other forms of horse racing headgear are designed to solve different problems.

Blinkers

Restrict peripheral vision to improve concentration and reduce distractions.

Cheekpieces

Cheekpieces are strips of sheepskin attached to the bridle that gently narrow a horse's field of vision. They're less restrictive than blinkers and are often used for horses that only need a small amount of assistance with focus.

Visors

Visors work similarly to blinkers but include small openings in the eye cups, allowing the horse to retain a little more side vision while still encouraging concentration.

Hoods

Unlike blinkers, hoods don't affect vision. Instead, they're designed to reduce surrounding noise and help nervous or excitable horses remain calm before and during a race.

Tongue Ties

A tongue tie isn't headgear, but it's another common piece of racing equipment. It helps prevent the horse's tongue from moving backwards, which may help keep the airway clear during a race.

Each type of equipment serves a different purpose, and trainers choose the option that best suits an individual horse's needs.

How to Tell If a Horse Is Wearing Blinkers

Racecards use abbreviations to indicate which equipment a horse is wearing.

The most common are:

• b – Blinkers

• v – Visor

• p – Cheekpieces

• h – Hood

• t – Tongue Tie

If a 1 appears before the abbreviation—for example 1b—it means the horse is wearing that equipment for the first time.

Understanding these abbreviations can help racegoers and newcomers better interpret a racecard and recognise when a trainer has made an equipment change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do blinkers make a racehorse run faster?

No. Blinkers don't increase a horse's speed. Their purpose is to improve focus by reducing distractions, allowing some horses to perform closer to their natural ability.

Are blinkers safe for racehorses?

Yes. Blinkers are a standard piece of horse racing equipment and are used under racing regulations. Trainers only use them when they believe the horse will benefit from wearing them.

Why do some horses wear blinkers and others don't?

Every horse has a different temperament. Some naturally remain focused during races, while others benefit from equipment that helps them concentrate.

Can horses race without blinkers after wearing them?

Yes. Trainers regularly change equipment depending on a horse's recent performances, behaviour and racing conditions. Blinkers may be added, removed or replaced with other types of headgear as required.

Final Thoughts

Blinkers are one of the most recognisable pieces of horse racing equipment, but their purpose is straightforward: helping some racehorses stay focused when it matters most.

While they won't transform every horse's performance, they can make a noticeable difference for runners that become distracted during races. Understanding why racehorses wear blinkers—and how they compare with other types of headgear—can help newcomers gain a better understanding of the sport and make reading a racecard much easier. written by Joe Ambery