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The Guide

Gear changes

As a racehorse owner, you’ll often hear your trainer mention a “gear change” — blinkers going on, a tongue tie added, or your colt being gelded. These aren’t just technical terms; they’re strategic decisions that can dramatically affect how your horse performs, behaves, and even recovers from a race.

 

Gear changes are commonly used to:

  • Improve focus and control
  • Assist breathing
  • Correct behavioural quirks
  • Calm nerves or barrier manners

In most cases, gear changes are subtle but powerful tools to help your horse reach its potential. Below are the 10 important gear changes, what they are, why they are used and their impact.

Gelded

Your colt was over-racing, shying at mares, and playing up in the barriers. After gelding and a short spell, he returns calmer, settles midfield, and runs straight through the line for the first time.

  • Gelding is a surgical procedure where a colt has his testicles removed. After the procedure, the horse is referred to as a gelding. This is a permanent change and is very common in racing
  • To manage hormonal behaviour geldings are typically easier to train and race
  • Improves focus, behaviour, and racing consistency. Often a key turning point in a young horse’s career

Blinkers

In previous runs, your horse ducked in behind others or shifted wide under pressure. With blinkers on, he jumps clean, races straight, and sticks to his lane for a bold on-pace finish.
  • A hood with cups that block the horse’s side and rear vision
  • To remove distractions from other horses or the crowd, helping the horse focus directly ahead
  • Encourages straight running and sharper racing. “First time blinkers” often signals a horse ready to improve

Winkers

Your filly is still learning and tends to lose focus mid-race. Adding winkers gives her just enough visual direction to keep her engaged.
  • Soft sheepskin cheek rolls that partially restrict peripheral vision
  • To help a horse maintain forward focus without the full restriction of blinkers
  • Supports concentration without overwhelming sensitive types

Pacifiers

Your gelding panicked when horses came up alongside him and veered out in the straight. With pacifiers on, he stays focused, holds his line, and places for the first time
  • Blinkers fitted with mesh over the eye holes to soften the visual field
  • To calm horses that spook easily or become agitated by visual stimulation
  • Encourages smoother, straighter, and more relaxed runs

Tongue Tie

Your horse faded late despite leading comfortably. A post-race scope shows a throat issue. Next start, with a tongue tie, he sustains his run and finishes strongly.
  • A soft strap (elastic, cloth, or leather) that holds the tongue down and forward, securing it to the lower jaw
  • During high-speed exertion, a horse needs clear and unobstructed airways. The tongue sits close to the soft palate — a crucial structure for airflow. If the tongue shifts or lifts incorrectly during a race, it can disrupt this airflow and cause serious breathing issues
  • Helps horses maintain clear airflow and proper control throughout the race and improves breathing, especially in the final stages of a race

Cross-Over Noseband

Your horse was opening his mouth and resisting the bit, making it hard to steer. With the cross-over noseband added, he becomes easier to control and runs more competitively
  • A noseband with crossing straps that keeps the horse’s mouth closed
  • To prevent evasion of the bit and improve rider control
  • Improves steering and responsiveness to rein pressure

Lugging Bit

Previously, your horse shifted out under pressure, losing momentum. A lugging bit corrects the drift.
  • A bit designed to prevent horses from laying in or out during the run
  • To assist horses who drift or hang, which can cost ground and position
  • Promotes straighter running, improved momentum, and better finishes

Barrier Blanket

Your horse had delayed starts due to barrier hesitance. With the barrier blanket, he loads smoothly and begins the race on equal footing.
  • A soft blanket placed under the saddle and attached to the barriers during loading
  • To help horses with barrier anxiety or loading issues
  • Improves loading confidence and ensures the horse jumps cleanly and calmly

Ear Muffs

At previous starts, your filly panicked in the yard and jumped awkwardly from the gates. Ear muffs help her stay composed, jump clean, and settle into stride.
  • Padded covers that reduce noise sensitivity — may be worn pre-race or during the race
  • To calm excitable horses who overreact to sound
  • Encourages better behaviour at the gates and early in the race

Nose Roll

Your horse was pulling hard and tossing his head. With a nose roll added, he settles beautifully and shows a strong, even tempo throughout the race
  • A sheepskin roll attached to the noseband to lower head carriage and block upward vision
  • To help over-racing horses maintain balance and rhythm
  • Reduces head tossing and improves focus, especially for free-running types

Why Gear Gets Removed?

When a trainer makes the call to add gear like blinkers, tongue ties or lugging bits, it’s often seen as a signal of intent: a tweak to unlock improvement. But what about when a gear change is reversed — when equipment is taken off?
  • The Gear Has Done Its Job: The horse has matured, adapted, or resolved the issue the gear was addressing - and no longer needs assistance
  • The Gear Is Having a Negative Effect: The horse is telling the trainer — through its behaviour or race performance that the gear isn’t working. Removing it often helps restore confidence or rhythm
  • A Change of Race Pattern or Tactics: The trainer is adjusting the race plan — and the gear no longer complements the strategy
  • Stewards or Vets Recommend Change: The trainer follows a vet or steward recommendation to reassess or trial without the gear
  • Back to Basics: To reduce complexity and allow the horse to race naturally — especially once it learns to handle race pressure better

final word

These gear changes can have a dramatic impact on your horse’s development and performance. Whether behavioural (gelding, blinkers), mechanical (tongue tie, cross-over noseband), or psychological (ear muffs, pacifiers), they are strategic tools used by trainers to get the best from your horse.
 
As an owner, being familiar with these changes empowers you to:
  • Track your horse’s progress
  • Understand trainer updates and race previews
  • Stay more engaged with your horse’s development
  • Anticipate when a horse might improve next start