Horse Care, Horse Breeds, Horse Riding, Equine Products, and more.
Herd Instinct in Racehorses: Why Some Won’t Lead, Pass, or Race Alone
Why does my horse slow when challenged? Often it’s not fitness — it’s herd instinct. Quick Answer: Some racehorses lose not because they’re slow, but because they won’t pass another horse, hesitate to take the lead, or moderate their pace for company. This is herd instinct: an evolutionary drive to stay with the group. On …
Why Trainers Use Earplugs on Racehorses. A Louisiana Owner Explains
Quick Answer: Racehorses wear earplugs to quiet sounds that make them nervous, waste energy, or act out — things like crowd noise, gates, the whip, or other horses’ hooves. Unlike blinkers, which limit what a horse sees, earplugs control what it hears. You won’t see them listed in Equibase, the DRF, or race programs — …
Understanding the Different Types of Blinkers in Horse Racing
Quick Answer: The main blinker types in horse racing are full cup (~85–90% restriction), semi-cup (~60–70%), French cup (~30–40%, most common in U.S.), cheater cup (minimal, ~10–15%), extension or run-out (one-sided, for directional drifters), visor (cup with a small hole, for horses that need some lateral awareness), and winkers (fleece strips on cheekpieces, common in …
Do Blinkers Improve Horse Performance? Stats, Betting Angles, and Owner Tips
Blinkers are one of the most common equipment changes in horse racing — and one of the most misunderstood. Put them on the right horse for the right reason, and you can see a dramatic improvement in a single start. Put them on the wrong horse, or leave them on too long, and performance can …
I’m Miles Henry, an avid equestrian with a lifelong dedication to horses. My journey with horses inspired me to create this website, aiming to share valuable insights and celebrate the connection between horses and their owners. Read more about my story.