Cooling caps/hoods rule

[SarahandSam]

The new USEF rules (https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-to-compete-in-2020?fbclid=IwAR1Bq4LYXKCPRrK-356YTbM8paWIrbpRGsKtOuiFrVI7ES7GdnRnoeZHdms) have a line about “cooling caps (hoods) prohibited in competition and warm-up arenas.”

What exactly are they talking about here? Are these for horse or rider? I’m not seeing anything come up for “cooling cap for horse” as a search… A friend was concerned that this was about fly bonnets, and I am pretty sure that with the wording it isn’t, but I can’t say I’m 100% certain either when I have no idea what a “cooling cap” is. And they will pry my fly bonnet out of my cold dead hands, because I am not learning how to French braid a forelock, sorry, I don’t have that much brain space left at this point.

[dressagegirl123]

I’m so glad you asked this! I’ve been riding dressage since the dark ages, and I have NO IDEA what a cooling cap is! Or, whether it is for the horse or the rider!

[alibi_18]

Wondering the same… What is that cooling cap (hood)?!?

[hoopoe]

the rule is found in the horse equipment DR121.7.

I have no idea what the product they are talking about, never heard or seen such things.

I assume they are wicking cooling head covers like those cooling neck towels you can activate with water.

[SarahandSam]

@hoopoe

the rule is found in the horse equipment DR121.7.

I have no idea what the product they are talking about, never heard or seen such things.

I assume they are wicking cooling head covers like those cooling neck towels you can activate with water.

That’s also my assumption, though I can’t find a single one for sale…

It also makes me wonder why they would necessitate a specific rule about them… I mean, if that’s what it is, I would assume it enhances horse health and happiness rather than significantly alters performance, so why ban it (especially in schooling areas)?

[hoopoe]

well if it is something someone sewed up…
and they are the fabric /gel that is activated by water
I can see where issues can come in to play, soggy dribbling device at the poll or on the face.

plus I doubt such a device /addition would make a big difference. Horse cooling is far more efficient using the major vessels of the neck legs and belly.

[SarahandSam]

@hoopoe

well if it is something someone sewed up…
and they are the fabric /gel that is activated by water
I can see where issues can come in to play, soggy dribbling device at the poll or on the face.

plus I doubt such a device /addition would make a big difference. Horse cooling is far more efficient using the major vessels of the neck legs and belly.

I agree, but I can’t imagine water dribbling on the face would be performance enhancing… so at best it’s making a horse more comfortable, most likely not doing much of anything, and at worst making a horse flail around like a neurotic giraffe. Also, as far as I can tell, still all hypothetical because I can’t find a single darn version out there and have never seen one in use…

[high_hat]

So, I had the same thought when I read the rule change. If none of know what one is I wonder why it was banned? I did try and Google it to no avail.

[Xanthoria]

It’s a cooling cap for the RIDER. Like those cooling vests?

https://hobbyhillfarm.com/collections/cooling-apparel-water-activated/products/cooling-cap-liner-fits-most-caps

[LJ55]

@Xanthoria

It’s a cooling cap for the RIDER. Like those cooling vests?

https://hobbyhillfarm.com/collections/cooling-apparel-water-activated/products/cooling-cap-liner-fits-most-caps

As posted above by hoopoe it was under horse equipment not rider.

[xQHDQ]

I hope they don’t ban riders from wearing them. I got a cooling headband that fits nicely under my helmet. It seems like banning this would pose a safety hazard for riders - in 95deg heat, it may help riders avoid heat stroke.

[Jealoushe]

Do they meab one of these? They are becoming popular in the jumpers
http://www.fenwickfarm.com/products/products.aspx?id=19

[Jealoushe]

Could it be one these?

http://www.fenwickfarm.com/products/products.aspx?id=19

[Jealoushe]

Could they mean those titanium face masks that are becoming popular?

[tabula_rashah]

I can see why they are banned as horse equipment. From an endurance prospective, where we are attempting to rapidly cool our horses and bring their pulse down on a regular basis, placing something cold and wet on top of the head can bring the pulse down quickly. However you really need to use it in conjunction with other cooling methods- ie you put that on and you are hosing or sponging the whole body etc. If you just cool at the head, you can basically trick the horse’s body into thinking it is cooled down and you can get them into real trouble heat-wise because they aren’t self-regulating properly

[alibi_18]

Let’s hope they update the Annexe for the bits/tack with a picture of it.