I think of some of the driving accidents my mom has had.... like when she was giving a NYE sleigh ride to a full compliment of passengers (12) and a kid threw a string of firecrackers right under the horses feet....
... and they were SUCH a good team, and the kid was an idiot and therefore didn't know that under the feet will *scare* the horses with the noise, but it won't terrify them with the light/sparks PLUS the sound, like it would if they could SEE them.
Blinders are not a crushing blow to the freedom of the horse. ... blinders are not uncomfortable, and they help the horse focus on what is important. The DRIVER needs to be checking to the sides.. the horse, does not. Riding horseback... the horse needs to be able to see all around... maybe even in a single drive, that could make sense depending on where you are... but, teams, it seems like keeping their eyes on the road and helping them communicate through their pulls, sounds, and not having "side conversations" when they get irritable is smart, let alone gives the driver more control and more assurance that the horses will remain interested in the whats ahead of them, and not startle themselves and jolt the other horse which could start a chain reaction.
We all have our own opinions.... some are just more right than others;)
You had mentioned the firecrackers before! What a good team.
I think blinders/blinkers/winkers in teams side by side depends on the type of work they are doing. Granted we did hook up the "baby team" the other day and Jasper isn't in a closed bridle just yet and while they did well Jasper kept pinning his ears and grumping at Talon now and again whereas Talon, in her closed bridle, was oblivious and just doing the job.
Back to the job though, work like logging where you are moving through terrain in a contemplative manner a horse having full vision would be beneficial, but yes, minimizing distractions and potential spooks is very beneficial in road driving especially. Some horses do feel better if they can LOOK, but others get more silly the more they stare at something and are just steadier closed.
Haha, yes, some are certainly more right than others!
... and they were SUCH a good team, and the kid was an idiot and therefore didn't know that under the feet will *scare* the horses with the noise, but it won't terrify them with the light/sparks PLUS the sound, like it would if they could SEE them.
Blinders are not a crushing blow to the freedom of the horse. ... blinders are not uncomfortable, and they help the horse focus on what is important. The DRIVER needs to be checking to the sides.. the horse, does not. Riding horseback... the horse needs to be able to see all around... maybe even in a single drive, that could make sense depending on where you are... but, teams, it seems like keeping their eyes on the road and helping them communicate through their pulls, sounds, and not having "side conversations" when they get irritable is smart, let alone gives the driver more control and more assurance that the horses will remain interested in the whats ahead of them, and not startle themselves and jolt the other horse which could start a chain reaction.
We all have our own opinions.... some are just more right than others;)
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I think blinders/blinkers/winkers in teams side by side depends on the type of work they are doing. Granted we did hook up the "baby team" the other day and Jasper isn't in a closed bridle just yet and while they did well Jasper kept pinning his ears and grumping at Talon now and again whereas Talon, in her closed bridle, was oblivious and just doing the job.
Back to the job though, work like logging where you are moving through terrain in a contemplative manner a horse having full vision would be beneficial, but yes, minimizing distractions and potential spooks is very beneficial in road driving especially. Some horses do feel better if they can LOOK, but others get more silly the more they stare at something and are just steadier closed.
Haha, yes, some are certainly more right than others!
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