Across the world in all racing jurisdictions, there are horses that perform with a type of headgear for a multitude of reasons. From blinkers to hoods, there a variety of makes, types, and forms of equipment that can be placed on or over a horse’s head with the ultimate aim of enhancing performance. 

The interaction of a horse’s foot and the ground surface is complex. Stance—that part of the stride when the foot is in contact with the ground—can be divided into three phases, which determine the loading environment of the limb: impact, mid stance and push off. Loading of the limb determines how it functions and also influences where injury may occur. Research funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board at the Royal Veterinary College has focussed on the foot and is allowing a greater understanding of the effect of changes in surface or shoeing on stance, on remodelling of the tissues and ultimately on the risk of injury.