Long Run's bridle

[Goingspare]

Hello equine specialists,

As Long Run was being led in after the King George VI chase yesterday, we noticed that as well as a sheepskin noseband, he was wearing what appeared to be a pair of padded, blue clackers on his bridle, attached to the headpiece and bouncing gently on his offside cheek. I wondered if it was some sort of device to stop him hanging to the right, but just googled (hard to google when you don't know what something's called) and found a suggestion that they were earplugs. I've just looked at a photo of him racing and can't see them, which I guess does suggest that they were in his lugs at the time.

Thanks!

[Pixel]

Found earplugs here if that helps.

Or like this?

[Goingspare]

Yes, they must have been ear plugs on a cord. They were rounder than the ones in the second link, but not fluffy like the first ones.

Thanks for that Pixel.

[shufflebum]

Some people put tampons in their horses ears when clipping
Alot of people who show use fluffy earplugs especially for evening performances when the crowds get a bit rowdy!

[Pixel]

Our shetland has such thick hair in her ears atm I'm surprised she can hear anything at all.

[Goingspare]

How long have horses been wearing ear plugs then? I haven't ridden regularly for many years.

shufflebum, my friend who used to clip her 16.1 thoroughbred with a tiny Ladyshave because she (the horse) didn't like the sound of the proper clippers would have been so glad of your tip. She probably wouldn't have been the easiest horse to stick tampons into though.

[shufflebum]

I've been aware of them for the last couple of years. They're not dressage legal, generally in the showing and racing worlds though anything goes!
Getting them in is easy, it's the getting them out that can cause the problems or should I say remembering to take them out

[Goingspare]

I wonder if they can get toxic shock syndrome in the ears if the tampons are left in too long

[shufflebum]

Not within 48hours in my experience

[Goingspare]

Well that's good to hear

I really feel I've learned a lot on this thread. Thank you both.