Cross Breeds

The white Fluffy bands on nosebands, what are they for?

I know its a stupid question, but i've seen them on race horses and showjumping horses and never really knew what they are for. A girl at my yard has a cob and he wears one she said it helps him keep concerntration (his mind does tend to wonder). But then someone else told me it was to protect the nose and stop rubbing from the noseband? Can anyone enlighten me? What do they really do? heres a picture of one on a horse: http://www.bug-boys.com/barbaro_derby1_index.jpg By the way its just a what is it question, i don't need one for my horses i don't even know what they do :)

Public Comments

1. Its to stop the noseband from rubbing. A horse at the stable I ride has scars and patches of hair missing from his previous owner failing to get him one. Concentration really has nothing to do with it.
2. I thought it stopped the noseband rubbing off the horse nose well thats what i think
3. it protects the noseband from rubbing the hair off of the nose and then rubbing it until it turns into a scar. My horse has one right by her eye from a bridle so I try to use nylon headstalls. I'm not really sure how they could be use to keep your horse concentrated.
4. They are used in showjumping and most often racing. They can prevent the noseband from rubbing but the main use that I know of in racing and steeplechase racing is that the horses often stretch out but don't actually look at where they are putting their feet or where they are landing if jumping. This fluffy noseband restricts what they can see under them, making them bring their heads down slightly so that they actually look at what is there. This can often prevent silly injuries such as slipping, tripping and awkward landing.
5. kool picture. i heard it was to help the horse stop better, but im not sure
6. They can be used to prevent the noseband from rubbing but they can also be used to encourage the horse to lower its head because the horse can't see all the way over the top of it it lowers its head to look over it.
7. That is called a shadow roller. I use one on my pony and it is for two reasons, it keeps a pony from throwing there head to far in the air because they won't be able to see. So yes it keeps there attention. another reason is what you said also, it does keep there noses from getting rubbed and it can help the noseband or hackamore fit snuger also. I use mine because my pony chucks his head very high in the air and because his hackamore rubs the bridge of his nose because he has very sensitive skin. I hope I helped.
8. To prevent rub marks.
9. It's called a shadow roll and it has nothing to do with protecting the nose. They are used in steeplechasers as some horses will try to jump shadows on the ground which will slow them down or spook at them. The shadow roll is also seen in show-jumping for horses who have a tendency to raise their heads too high and evade the bit. The shadow roll is intended to correct this by forcing the horse to lower his head in order to see the jump; when the horse's head is raised the roll blocks his vision. Red Rum was famous for the one that he wore.
10. Exactly, its called a shadow roll. It can be used and is used for both reasons. Race horses use it alot . It is also used to be more comfortable on that bony sensitive area on the bridge of their noses. Mine has a scar too from the previous owner that actually had metal spikes inside it to keep his nose down. Can you believe it? What some trainers do to horses to make them become our perfect show horses.
11. I use it on my horse's halter to prevent it from rubbing in the stall. It is the same for that one and it also makes the horse tuck his nose in so he could see over it
12. It's called a "Shadow Roll" And helps keep a horse from spooking at shadows (supposedly) LOL Doesn't always work tho, horses field of vision is not just in front.
13. They stop the leather from rubbing on the skin.
14. It's called a Shadow Roll, a roll of sheepskin strapped across a horse's nose to keep it from looking down and shying away from shadows. It is used in Standardbred Harness Horse Racing, Steeple chasing, and just most racing events. It also helps to lengthen the stride on some horses.
15. Quite a few race horses have nose band sleeves like these (if they have nosebands at all) because of the amount they sweat and the action of their heads. These combined cause alot of rubbing.