Flipping halter?

[Where_sMyWhite]

I’ve heard these being referenced a few times.

I can guess they are used in the gate to keep the horse from “flipping” head/neck.

But, how do they differ from a conventional halter?

How do you get them off before the gate opens? Or does it get taken off before the starter will open the gate??

[Texarkana]

All the ones I’ve ever seen are like a regular cavesson with a big ring attached underneath. They stay on the horse with the bridle the entire time. My understanding is that the starters run a length rope through the ring to keep tension on the horse’s head until the gates open.

[Where_sMyWhite]

So the horse races with the halter on??

[Texarkana]

[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8315266]
So the horse races with the halter on??[/QUOTE]

Yes, the horse races with it on when I have seen them used. I’m not sure if there are different styles. But “halter” is really a bad description of them in my opinion, even though that’s what they are called. The only ones I have ever seen have been more similar in style to what western folks call a “tie down” than to an actual halter.