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Home > Harness the Excitement > Equipped for Racing
Every piece of equipment used on a Standardbred has been selected specifically for that horse’s individual needs. This guide will explain the purpose of the most commonly used equipment.
Also known as a sulky, an aerodynamic cart used only in races, which reduces drag and provides lift on the horse.
2. Driving lines
Straps attached to the driving bit that run back to the handholds, which the driver uses to control the direction and speed of the horse.
3. Harness
Holds the equipment in position on the horse, and consists of the bridle, saddle, girth and crupper. The girth connects the harness around the belly. The crupper is a loop that slides under the base of the tail to keep the harness from moving forward.
4. Head Number
Connects to the crown of the bridle and designates the horse’s number in the racing program.
5. Bridle
Consists of several straps, usually leather, that fit over the head and face of the horse, allowing the driver to control the horse through the use of a driving bit. The blind bridle shown here obscures sight from the sides as well as from behind, which prevents the horse from seeing anything that may cause anxiety.
6. Driving bit
Usually a jointed metal bar seated in an area of the horse’s mouth between the front incisors and molars, where there are no teeth. By creating pressure on the sides of the mouth through the driving lines, the driver can steer the horse.
7. Headpole
Runs along the head and neck and hooks to the harness to keep the horse from turning its head, which may cause it to break stride.
8. Bell boots
Rubber hoof covers used to protect a horse from hitting its front heels with its rear hoof.
9. Shin boots
Worn on the hind legs just beneath the hock and over the ankle, covering the hind legs to provide additional protection from getting struck with a hoof.
Allows the horse a full range of sight with no obstruction. Open bridles are useful to relax an otherwise tense or aggressive animal.
11. Overcheck
A rein generally attached to the overcheck bit, running over the top of the head and down the neck where it is strapped to the harness. It prevents the horse from lowering its head, which helps maintain a proper gait.
12. Saddle pad
Designates the horse’s program number in the race. Each numbered saddle pad corresponds to a particular color. The smaller number is the race number.
13. Tail tie
When a horse wants to swish his tail, it is generally a sign that it is going to kick. A tie may be used to brace the tail from movement, which helps the horse resist the urge to kick.
14. Jog cart
Used for training, it is heavier than a race bike and is more comfortable for the driver. Many horses warming up between races will also be seen pulling a jog cart.
15. Hobbles
Also called hopples, plastic loops worn by pacers to help the horse maintain the pacing gait. Hobbles for trotters are similar to pacing hobbles, but the loops are worn only around the front legs, and are joined by a rope and pulley that hangs underneath the horse.
16. Tendon boots
Used to protect the tendon of the front foreleg between the knee joint and the ankle from being struck by a hoof on the opposite foreleg.
17. Knee boots
Worn on the forelegs to protect from knee-knocking, which occurs when the knee is struck by the hoof of the opposite leg.
18. Knee spreaders
Used to widen the horse’s gait in its front legs to prevent it from hitting its knees.
19. Buxton
Nylon strap that runs across the shoulders, around the neck and between the front legs in a Y-shape, which prevents the harness from slipping backward.
Equipped for Racing
Every piece of equipment used on a Standardbred has been selected specifically for that horse’s individual needs. This guide will explain the purpose of the most commonly used equipment.
Also known as a sulky, an aerodynamic cart used only in races, which reduces drag and provides lift on the horse.
2. Driving lines
Straps attached to the driving bit that run back to the handholds, which the driver uses to control the direction and speed of the horse.
3. Harness
Holds the equipment in position on the horse, and consists of the bridle, saddle, girth and crupper. The girth connects the harness around the belly. The crupper is a loop that slides under the base of the tail to keep the harness from moving forward.
4. Head Number
Connects to the crown of the bridle and designates the horse’s number in the racing program.
5. Bridle
Consists of several straps, usually leather, that fit over the head and face of the horse, allowing the driver to control the horse through the use of a driving bit. The blind bridle shown here obscures sight from the sides as well as from behind, which prevents the horse from seeing anything that may cause anxiety.
6. Driving bit
Usually a jointed metal bar seated in an area of the horse’s mouth between the front incisors and molars, where there are no teeth. By creating pressure on the sides of the mouth through the driving lines, the driver can steer the horse.
7. Headpole
Runs along the head and neck and hooks to the harness to keep the horse from turning its head, which may cause it to break stride.
8. Bell boots
Rubber hoof covers used to protect a horse from hitting its front heels with its rear hoof.
9. Shin boots
Worn on the hind legs just beneath the hock and over the ankle, covering the hind legs to provide additional protection from getting struck with a hoof.
Allows the horse a full range of sight with no obstruction. Open bridles are useful to relax an otherwise tense or aggressive animal.
11. Overcheck
A rein generally attached to the overcheck bit, running over the top of the head and down the neck where it is strapped to the harness. It prevents the horse from lowering its head, which helps maintain a proper gait.
12. Saddle pad
Designates the horse’s program number in the race. Each numbered saddle pad corresponds to a particular color. The smaller number is the race number.
13. Tail tie
When a horse wants to swish his tail, it is generally a sign that it is going to kick. A tie may be used to brace the tail from movement, which helps the horse resist the urge to kick.
14. Jog cart
Used for training, it is heavier than a race bike and is more comfortable for the driver. Many horses warming up between races will also be seen pulling a jog cart.
15. Hobbles
Also called hopples, plastic loops worn by pacers to help the horse maintain the pacing gait. Hobbles for trotters are similar to pacing hobbles, but the loops are worn only around the front legs, and are joined by a rope and pulley that hangs underneath the horse.
16. Tendon boots
Used to protect the tendon of the front foreleg between the knee joint and the ankle from being struck by a hoof on the opposite foreleg.
17. Knee boots
Worn on the forelegs to protect from knee-knocking, which occurs when the knee is struck by the hoof of the opposite leg.
18. Knee spreaders
Used to widen the horse’s gait in its front legs to prevent it from hitting its knees.
19. Buxton
Nylon strap that runs across the shoulders, around the neck and between the front legs in a Y-shape, which prevents the harness from slipping backward.
