sheepskin nose-band

[befair]

I’ve often wondered why soem trainers use them all the time (Noel Meade, Dermot Weld, Jessica Harringto) tho most don’t use them at all.
Vincent O’Brien used one for Golden Fleece in the 83 Derby, and I think Kauto Star has run in them as well.

Noel Meade seems to have dispensed with them this year for some reason.
I also think they are a bit unsightly, especially when used with a plaited mane

[Anonymous]

You forgot the best filly the world has ever seen Zarkava wore a sheepskin noseband!.

Sheepskin nosebands encourage the horse to concentrate and look forwards and down. They lessen the pressure put on the nose from the noseband, and/or prevent chafing. They help encourage horses to keep their heads down while working, If a race horse has a tendency to throw its head up too high, the fleece band with block its vision unless it has its head in a good, low position. Its a kind way (as opposed to other gadgets) to encourage the horse to carry itself correctly.

[befair]

Thanks for that, but it still begs the question why do some trainers use them ALL the time? And why has Noel Meade suddenly stopped using them?

[Drone]

This thread may be of interest:

https://theracingforum.co.uk/horse-r … 71816.html

[cormack15]

Ian Balding used to fit them routinely to all horses and I think Andrew Balding has followed suit. Does make them easy to spot in a race although I’m sure that’s not why they fit them.

[davidjohnson]

It rather begs the question why the authorities deem that 2 pieces of sheepskin down the side of a horse’s face are important enough to need declaring but a similar piece of equipment across a horse’s face isn’t.

[Imperial Call]

All of Meade’s are still wearing nosebands. He is now using a much smaller green noseband on his runners:

http://www.goldcall.com/images/newsimages/johnbrowne.jpg

[befair]

Good spot IC
My question remanins unanswered; why do some trainers use them ALL the time.

[davidjohnson]

Aside from it being their personal preference to do so, I’m not sure you’ll find the answer you require here.

[oldjohn69]

And why did Jack Berry ALWAYS wear a red tie ?

[Adrian]

As mentioned before you have to declare them in Dubai. I also found out that sheepskin cheek pieces are not allowed in Kentucky rather strangely.

I’d suggest that if a trainer thinks they are worthwhile they’ll put them on all horses – rather like Richard Hannon always uses orange rubber Australian nosebands.

[Author]

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