Why Do Racing Horses Wear Masks?

Characteristics of horses vary between breeds, making certain breeds better suited to specific activities than other breeds. Race horses, in particular, are bred for speed. However, race horses tend to be nervous by nature, causing reactivity and distractibility. For this reason, some racers put masks, called blinkers, on their horses. Blinkers are designed to reduce stimuli and increase performance.

  1. Eyesight

    • Horses have excellent peripheral vision, with nearly 360-degree eyesight. This particular characteristic can lead to distractions during a race. To decrease distractibility, a mask, called blinkers, is used by some horse riders. A horse tends to run toward whatever it sees. Therefore, it is important to keep a race horse focused straight ahead.

    Vision Reduction

    • Blinkers are made of mesh or knit fabric that fits over a horse's head. Blinkers have openings for the eyes. Eye cups, available in many different styles, are attached to the blinker openings. The trainer selects the eye cup considered best for the particular horse. Styles from which to choose include quarter, half, semi-full, full and extended cup, which is sometimes called duckbill. Trainers use eye cups that are least restrictive but effective for a particular horse.

    Noise Reduction

    • The excited cheer of the crowd may be distracting to a race horse.

      Noise is distracting to nervous horses. This type of stimuli is reduced through the use of blinkers with attached ear covers. These ear covers are made of a soft fabric that fits comfortably over the horse's ears. While the horse can still hear, noise is greatly reduced, which makes it easier for the horse to remain focused on the race.

    Decision

    • The decision to use a mask or not to use a mask is made by the trainer. Trainers use trial and observation to determine the race horse's best performance. Masks are used while the horse is being exercised, when different eye-cup styles are also tested. Sometimes a trainer will cut holes in the back of the eye cups to allow the horse a limited amount of vision from behind. With certain horses, this rear vision reduces tension.