At the Grand National, spectators often notice horses wearing an array of masks and headgear, each serving a distinct purpose to optimise performance and ensure safety. These accessories are not merely decorative but are crucial tools in the high-stakes world of horse racing.
Understanding the Different Types of Horse Masks
Blinkers are the most prevalent headgear in racing. They consist of a hood with cups that restrict a horse's peripheral vision, forcing the animal to focus straight ahead. This design helps prevent distractions or spooking from other runners charging alongside, thereby maintaining concentration during the race.
Visors and Cheekpieces
Visors closely resemble blinkers but feature a small slit or hole in the back of each eye cup. This allows horses to retain a minimal amount of rear vision, ensuring they are not completely surprised when another horse attempts to overtake them.
Cheekpieces are strips of sheepskin attached to the bridle's cheek straps, partially obscuring vision to the side and rear. They are considered a gentler alternative to blinkers, providing just enough focus to keep a horse's mind on the race without being overly restrictive.
Ear Protection and Sensory Reduction
Earplugs are frequently used to help high-strung horses remain calm by muffling loud, sudden noises from grandstands and the starting tape. Typically, jockeys remove these just before the race begins to ensure the horse can hear commands and track sounds.
Ear hoods are fabric covers that fit over a horse's ears to dampen sound and prevent distraction from the crowd. Unlike earplugs, these hoods are usually worn throughout the entire race to maintain consistent sensory reduction.
Nosebands and Eye Shields
Nosebands, especially the sheepskin variety, encourage horses to keep their heads down while running. By blocking the view directly in front of their nose, this equipment prompts them to lower their head to see the ground, resulting in a more efficient galloping stride.
Eye shields are primarily used on all-weather tracks to protect a horse's eyes from kickback, which is flying dirt or sand thrown up by horses in front. These transparent shields allow full vision while preventing painful debris from causing injury or making the horse shy away.
Blindfolds and Pacifiers
Blindfolds are temporary tools used exclusively behind the starting stalls to help nervous or stubborn horses enter their gate calmly. Once the horse is safely positioned inside the stall, the blindfold is whipped off immediately before the race starts, ensuring full vision for the jump.
Pacifiers are mesh covers that go over the eyes to reduce light intensity and provide a physical barrier against debris. They are often used for horses particularly sensitive to bright sun or those that tend to get overly excited by the visual chaos of a large field.
In summary, the various masks and headgear worn by horses at the Grand National are essential for enhancing focus, reducing distractions, and protecting against environmental factors. Each piece is tailored to address specific needs, contributing to the safety and performance of both horse and jockey in this prestigious event.
