Is it just me or is it recently more common to see lots of hardware rigged in many different ways to keep horses under control when in hand? Lip chains, chains in the mouth, chains twisted above nose and below chin, etc.
I don’t recall seeing as much stuff on horses of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Were the horses better behaved? Or did the press not take pictures of them with the hardware on? Or am I just getting forgetful?:lol:
I’ve only ever seen a horse with one chain, either over the nose or in the mouth or over the upper gums. But never more than one. Sometimes there is a person on the off side with a leather strap snapped to the bit, but I’ve never noticed that person also having a chain shank. Will you post pics of all these chains on the heads in different positions?
If the chain is wrapped through the halter, people may snap it to different places on the halter in an attempt to keep the halter from slipping around the horses head. But the pressure point is usually still over the bridge of the nose.
I expressed myself poorly. I am referring to one chain/one person. But were lip chains, chains through the mouth, etc., used as much in earlier years?
I don’t think anyone is keeping track, but yes.
I remember seeing chains through the mouth in years past. I can’t remember details, but I do remember seeing them. Probably in the decades you mentioned in your OP.
I will see if I can find pix or links to pix.
Yes. I’ve personally seen lip chains on the track for 30ish years.
War Admiral, (foaled 1937) chain through mouth https://thevaulthorseracing.files.wo…portraithi.jpg
Seattle Slew, chain over nose (scroll down for pic) https://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Seattle_Slew#
Mr. Prospector in 1981, chain through mouth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Pr…Prospector.jpg
Nashua in 1981 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua…lem_Brooks.jpg
While looking for these photos I saw a couple of other stallions, including Man o’ War, wearing bridle headstalls with bits, and the lead shank chain looped through the bit rings.
Hope these help answer your question, Maythehorsebewithme. 
(I guess I was keeping track mentally, because I remembered seeing pix, and I found some online! 
)
Looking for these online, I looked for stallions who had reputations for being “difficult” (to say the least) and was interested that they did not have chains over their noses or through their mouths. Whirlaway (f 1938), Fair Play (1905), and his sire Hastings.
I was taught about these techniques, because I used them for different reasons, by older equestrians… like 30yrs ago.
Not enough pictures of horses 60 or more years ago to assume because you see it or don’t see it in one or two old pictures it was true all the time. Particularly if the horse is well past middle age in the photo.
I remember seeing an assortment of headwear at the track 50 years ago.
As a very casual racing observer since the early 70’s, if anything I feel like I’ve seen less in the way of restraint devices, general physical manhandling, and chaos as there used to be. It’s rare any more to see a horse at the level of nationally broadcast racing who is really worked up lathered and dancing around getting shanked to be mounted, rare to see gate loading shenanigans requiring a couple beefy guys to link arms behind the haunches to shove 'em in, etc. I’m sure there’s still a fair bit that goes on, but it doesn’t seem as common as it once was.
I’m seeing more guys linking arms to load blindfolded and rugged horses this week at Royal Ascot than I’ve seen before at American tracks.
One horse lost a front shoe, then, upset over that, he lost a hind shoe. I think they said he was going to run on three shoes – it had been done before.
And lots of “warm” lathered horses going to the post this week. Including one who finished last.
They get a lot more gate schooling in the US. We also have the best blacksmith school in the world.
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