Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

To learn more about harness racing equipment, click on a name in the image below:

Image: Reprinted with permission from the Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

Brace Bandages
Brace Bandages are protective bandages worn by pacers or trotters that adhere tightly to the leg of the horse. Typically they are worn by trotters on the hind legs and help to widen out the animal's gait behind. If worn on the front legs, light cotton quilts are often worn underneath to offer protection.

View a more detailed description of brace bandages

Buxton
Buxton (Breastcollar) is a combination of straps worn that fits around the neck and between the front legs of the horse. It is used to hold the saddle and girth of the harness in place and keeps it from slipping back along the horse's flanks. The proper name for this piece of equipment is Breastcollar, but in harness racing circles it has long been referred to as a "Buxton" because Ohio-based trainer Dick Buxton was the first harness horsemen to use this type of breast collar on Standardbreds in the early 1960's. Previously, it had been used mainly on hunter-jumper horses, and today you can find it used in all horse disciplines.

Check Bit
Check (Overcheck Bit) is the bit that attaches to the overcheck. There are many types of overcheck bits, and all have various functions. Basically this bit helps to balance the horse and gives the driver more control over the horse.

Crupper
Crupper is part of the harness that attaches to the back of the saddle and runs along the horse's back and under his tail. It is used to help hold the harness in place.

Driving Bit
Driving bit is the main bit in the horse's mouth which is used for steering/driving. There are many types of driving bits, such as snaffles, D-bits, twisted-wire, double-twisted wire, Frisco-June, side-liners, Dr. Bristol, etc.

Driving Lines
Driving Lines are what a driver or trainer uses to steer and control the horse. They are typically made of leather or a synthetic material and connect to the driving bit.

Driving Whip
Driving Whip is used by a driver in the race to urge and encourage his horse.

Ear Plugs
Ear Plugs are small pieces of cotton or rubber placed in a horse's ears in order to reduce the noise a horse can hear. In many cases, high-strung horses are thus easier to control when they do not hear all of the sounds of the other horses during racing or training. Ear Plugs can either be left for the duration of a race, or they can be "pop outs." These "pop outs" have a string attached to them which runs back to the sulky and is easily grabbed by the driver, who can pull them out when he feels the time is appropriate during the race.

Hand Holds
Hand Holds are attached to the driving lines and help to give the driver or trainer leverage in controlling and steering the horse.

Harness
Harness is the equipment worn by the horse when racing or training. It includes a saddle, girth, crupper, bridle and driving lines.

Headpole
Headpole is a straight pole that attaches to a ring on the horse's racing halter and to a strap attaching to the waterhook on the horse's harness at the top of the saddle. The purpose of the headpole is to keep a horse's head straight. There are two types of headpoles: a plain headpole and a burr headpole. The burr headpole is a bit more severe than a plain headpole.

Head Number
Head Number is the small plastic or metal number that is attached to the top of the horse's bridle so that he can easily be identified during the race.

Hobblehangers
Hobble Hangers are straps that attach to the harness and hold the hobbles in place on either side of the pacers. Two hangers are near the front legs, one on each side; two hang down on the middle of the horse on each side and one hanger each is found behind the back legs on each side.

Hobbles (or Hopples)
Hobbles (also Hopples) are used to help a pacer maintain his gait. They are comprised of two loops, with an adjustable middle portion and they attach to the hobble hangers. The front loop is a bit smaller than the hind loop, and the horse's legs go through each. Trotting Hobbles have gained in popularity in the last decade, with the success of horses such as CR Kay Susie. On trotters, the hobbles fit around the front legs only, and are used to help steady the horse's gait.

View a more detailed history of Hobbles and the Pacing Gait

Knee Boots
Knee Boots are boots worn by both pacers and trotters and are used for protecting the inside of the horse's knees. They come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made of leather, felt or rubber.

Murphy Blind
Murphy Blind is a small piece of leather that can be attached to a horse's bridle in order to help keep his head straight. It is often used in place of, or in conjunction with, a head pole. In some instances, where a horse might resist a headpole, they will accept a Murphy Blind. This piece of equipment was designed by an old-time horse trainer named Murphy, who thought that if he restricted a horse's vision somewhat, the horse would straighten his head to be able to have unrestricted sight. This idea worked.

Open Bridle
Open Bridle is a bridle that does not have blinkers or "blinds" on it, and allows the horse full vision on all sides.

Overcheck
Overcheck is what is used to keep the horse's head balanced. It attaches to the waterhook on the top of the saddle of the harness and is attached to an overcheck bit that goes into the horse's mouth, or to another type of overcheck bit that does not go into a horse's mouth, or to a chin strap or chin chain. While many horses can jog and some can train without an overcheck, it is very rare to find a horse who races without one.

Quater Boots
Quarter Boots are worn typically by pacers on their front feet to protect their "quarters," the back of their hooves/coronet bands.

Quick Hitch
Quick Hitch is the coupler on the harness that allows the racing sulky (bike) or training (jog) cart to attach to the horse.

Saddle Pad
Saddle Pad is the fuzzy, thick pad placed under the saddle of the harness to make the equipment sit more comfortably on the horse's back. These come in various colors.

Saddle Pad Number
Saddle Pad Number is the pad worn by the trotter or pacer on their backs during warm-ups and races so that they can be identified.

Shadow Roll
Shadow Roll is a piece of fleece of various thickness that is placed over the nose of the horse and attaches to the bridle. The purpose of the Shadow Roll is to keep the horse from seeing shadows either directly below him or to the sides of him, so that he doesn't jump over them and thus, go off stride (gait). There are several types of Shadow Rolls, such as a brush roll, a turned-up roll, a standard roll, a small roll, and the finger roll-made famous by the great pacing mare Shady Daisy.

Shaft
Shaft is the part of the racing sulky (bike) that attaches to the arch and runs along either side of the horse's flanks.

Stirrup
Stirrups are found (typically) on the inside of the racing sulky (bike) or training (jog) cart so that the driver or trainer has a place to rest his or her feet.

Sulky
Sulky is the racing cart or bike. Over the past three decades these racing bikes have evolved and developed into a number of different designs. Originally made only of wood, they now can be comprised of metal, titanium, fiberglass, wood and/or a combination of these.

View a more detailed history of the Sulky

Tendon Boots
Tendon Boots are worn on the front legs of the horse for protection, below the knee and above the pasterns.

Tongue Tie
Tongue Tie is used to keep the horse's tongue from flipping back in his mouth and shutting off his air passage while racing or training, possibly causing him to faint and fall. Tongue Ties are typically made out of nylon or cloth.

Two Ring Martingale
Two Ring Martingale (Running Martingale) attaches to the bottom of the harness at the girth and comes up between the horse's front legs. The driving lines go through two small rings at the top of the martingale. The theory is that the lines stay steadied with this (running) martingale and thus keep the horse balanced, even if he or she consistently throws or tosses their head about.

Wheel Disc
Wheel Disc is a clear or colored plastic disc that covers the racing sulky's (bike's) wheels, and prevents a horse's hoof from going through it.