In fact, blinkers are likely to help a horse rather than suggest they have no chance of winning. After all, blinkers are used to calm the horse down and realign its focus, so it can run its best race.

Are blinkers bad for horses?

Blinkers can have a significant effect on a horses' performance and are ideal for thoroughbreds who may find themselves overwhelmed or distracted by their surroundings. However, they are often viewed as a temporary solution and the effectiveness may begin to dwindle over time.

Does my horse need blinkers?

The primary reason is to keep the horse focused on the path ahead of him and limit his peripheral vision to avoid distractions. ... Most of us can appreciate that horses without blinkers are more likely to be easily distracted and this is particularly dangerous in very fast and difficult races.