What is this?

[TJ]

....And every now and then you get a race horse that doesn't like dirt hitting or bugs messing around his ears or face.....watch this race with Gate Dancer. TJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqin6Xv5al0

I've never seen one in the US, but overseas there is a piece of tack called pacifiers. It's a hood with eye holes a la blinkers, but instead of cups focusing the horse, has a wire mesh bubble that goes over the eye. They are not allowed on muddy days, as they might get clogged with mud, but in dry, sunny weather, it will keep dirt out of a horse's eye.

Hi Kimberley,
Yes, quite a few years back I heard about this. I asked a a friend of mine, who was going to Europe to bring one back for me. Besides the protection it affords it can actually work as a 'pacifier' for a nervous horse. I don't know how it settles a horse but it worked wonders for the horse I used it for. Of course, today you can get them on the Internet, if anyone wants to give it a try check it out below. TJ
Scroll over the image of the pacifier for a close up view, interesting piece:
http://www.saddlery.biz/racing-equipmen ... ifier.html

[LB]

I've never seen one in the US, but overseas there is a piece of tack called pacifiers. It's a hood with eye holes a la blinkers, but instead of cups focusing the horse, has a wire mesh bubble that goes over the eye. They are not allowed on muddy days, as they might get clogged with mud, but in dry, sunny weather, it will keep dirt out of a horse's eye.

We raced a filly in what our trainer just called screens. The purpose was to help keep her focused (and it worked). It sounds like what you're describing.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

The blinker hood with "screens" over the eyes is called a "Pelling Pacifier."

It has been used in harness racing for years to calm horses but has been used occasionally in thoroughbred racing, too.

The screens prevent dirt from getting thrown into a horse's eyes.

Harness horsemen have a greater variety of bits, equipment, etc. than their t-bred counterparts, and some - the Haughton bit and the Riegle bit come to mind immediately - are used in T-bred racing.

[karenkarenn]

But the first picture isnt a screen or racing anything people.
Its simply a fly MASK. Its either to keep dirt or bugs out - because there isnt a date on the pic its hard to tell - or the horse can have an eye infection or laceration and they needed protection.
Don't confuse the poster on this. It's cut and dry fly mask used every day.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

Right. Not to be confused with the Pelling Pacifier that the horse in the picture prior to my post is wearing.

A fly mask and a Pelling Pacifier are two different things which serve two different purposes.

How's that for clarification?

[Lucy]

AWW Lucy, Is that David's pony (out rider).

No clue, I'm afraid....I don't know the outriders by name. I do love the ponies, though, and end up taking almost as many shots of them as I do the racers.

[Crystal]

David is very nice, he's one of the outriders that is always in a hunt cap and not a helmet LOL.

[cng]

It's a sack. They make ugly horses wear them in CA.

[ratherrapid]

one of HRs many problems is unqualified lazy horse abusing pony people. this refers specifically to some of their tack that restricts their ponies from moving their heads, excessive weight of tack and clothing, uncomfortable tack for the horse, etc. etc. I am an advocate that pony people for the afternoons should be trained both in appropriate warm up and care of their horses. this is a e.g. if you're using a fly mask, fine. take it off the horse when you hit the race track.

[karenkarenn]

Rather How can you make that call since you don't know whats going on with the horse?
k

[Lisann]

one of HRs many problems is unqualified lazy horse abusing pony people

Well, IMO (and sorry to sidetrack this thread), most pony riders are HORRIBLE riders. I realize they're not riding in an equitation class, but there is a reason to ride with reasonably correct equitation.

[Crystal]

oh jeez, getting upty on pony people.. whats next, pagent princess western pleasure riders for pony riders?? we'd never get to the gate!!! hahahaha.

I kid, but really I dont believe pony people need a lesson in horse care, equitation, or how to take care of their horses.

please give it a rest.. It's a flymask, it does not hurt the horse to ride with one on, it is not illegal, immoral, or abuse to make a horse wear one..unless its one of those ugly ones with fake bug eyes on it!

[photofinish]

one of HRs many problems is unqualified lazy horse abusing pony people. this refers specifically to some of their tack that restricts their ponies from moving their heads, excessive weight of tack and clothing, uncomfortable tack for the horse, etc. etc. I am an advocate that pony people for the afternoons should be trained both in appropriate warm up and care of their horses. this is a e.g. if you're using a fly mask, fine. take it off the horse when you hit the race track.

Hmm, guess my old pony is really, really glad you don't own him! The old man is 22 this year and, while he is only a stable pony (ie never takes more than an occassional ponyer in the a.m. and never does races, he has light walk-them-back-and-forth duty for the most part) he loves his fly mask in the spring and summer. He hates flies and has a mask with the ear attachment. My first concern is my horse's comfort, I could give 2 dead flies for how it looks just to appeal to someone's sensibilities!

PS - He has never worn a tie-down and I use a light weight barrel saddle, as do alot of the pony people.

[bdw0617]

Yeah that bugged the mess out of me. I see him everyday, I thought he was blind and they just didn't want people to see his eye or something.