About Race Horse Bridles

Background

• Bridles can be made of leather or a synthetic material such as nylon. They should be adjusted properly according to the size of the horse's head, so that pieces of leather do not rub or pinch the horse. It is almost important to regularly check and clean your bridle. That way, you can catch any deterioration before it breaks and help your bridle last for many years.

Bridles for Thoroughbreds

• Thoroughbreds race under saddle with a jockey aboard. A typical bridle is a simple brown leather bridle with a snaffle bit. Many trainers will also put rubber reins on the bridle to provide extra grip for the jockey. Some owners will race their horses in white bridles. This started as a way for the owner or trainer to easily spot their horse in the pack. Some trainers race their horses in a blinker hood (also know as blinders). Blinkers may be half-cup, which allows the horse to see directly in front of him; or full-cup, with a hole drilled in the the front. This is also known as a visor. Some trainers believe this keeps the horse more focused on what is in front of him.

Bridles for Standardbreds

• Standardbred race horses pull a sulky, or a light cart, when they trot or pace. Many standardbreds race in an open bridle, or a bridle with no blinkers. They can see all of their surroundings, including the jockey and cart behind them. A "Kant See Back" bridle allows the horse to see in all directions except directly behind him. A bridle with blinkers allows the horse only to see what is in front of him--not behind, and not to the sides. A telescope bridle has blinkers that cover almost all of the horse's eye, except with a hole open in front. The horse has limited vision and can see only straight ahead.

Bits

• Most race horses (both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) race in a snaffle bit. A snaffle bit works by using direct pressure, but no leverage on the horse's mouth. Snaffles can be a loose ring, full-cheek, D-ring, eggbut or other variety. A jointed snaffle has two pieces that are linked together in the middle. Sometimes trainers will choose a rubber snaffle for horses with sensitive mouths. For horses who may tend to get strong with the rider, trainers may opt for a ring bit. A ring bit has a regular jointed mouthpiece as well as a ring that encircles the horse's lower jaw. It gives the rider added leverage on the horse's jaw, and thus a little more control.

Other Equipment

• Some trainers may switch out a bridle's regular noseband for another such as a Figure 8 noseband, which helps keep the horse's mouth shut. Barbaro raced in a shadow roll noseband, which prevents horses from seeing shadows on the track or from raising the heads too high.