Racers! What is on this horse and what it the purpose?

[JumpQH]

Cold Cash 123 was the World Champion Racing AQH. On the March 2012 Quarter Horse Journal is a great picture of him on the cover, but I can’t figure out what is hanging off his bit, and it’s driving me crazy from curiosity! I know almost nothing about racing, so maybe it’s common, but I just wanted to find out what it was and what it did! It looks like a can opener to me! Here’s a link to a bigger picture of what was on the cover. http://www.drf.com/news/cold-cash-123-named-champion-quarter-horse-2011

Here is a side view of it: http://www.aqha.com/en/Racing/News-Articles/Cold-Cash-123-Returns-in-Trials-for-13-Million-All-American-Derby.aspx

Thanks! I’m so darned curious!

[beaujolais]

I asked the same thing here, in this forum, a month ago:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343941

I would love to know how the flipping halter (flipping rig) attaches to the gate? Anyone?

I’m sure it is by the big ring at the bottom, but then what?

Tx.

[JumpQH]

Oh, shoot, I missed your question! I haven’t been on the forum much lately. I love all of your questions, by the way. I’ve learned a LOT from your threads!

[beaujolais]

Aw, do you mean me, QH?

Thanks so much.

I’m still dying to know, as above:

I would love to know how the flipping halter (flipping rig) attaches to the gate? Anyone?

I’m sure it is by the big ring at the bottom, but then what?

In case you want to Google it, I found a bit more under “flipping rig” than “flipping halter”. Seems the QH racing folks call it flipping rig more often than flipping halter.

I love watching the QH races on TVG on the weekends and they announce when a horse is wearing a flipping halter. I was intrigued because I never heard of them.

[JumpQH]

Of COURSE I meant you, Sonoma! I’ll google it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a QH race! I’ve never heard of a flipping halter. I have to check this out!

[Moo_Moo]

I wonder what it is too! I have been to QH races and they are FAST!!! I hope someone tells us what it is soon!

[beaujolais]

Thanks again, QH.

(I’m a former race horse groom & hunter/jumper rider but I ended up riding at a QH barn just down the road, so I’m a QH lover now, also.)

If you want to see QH races, online, at least, here you go. You just have to register (free). They don’t send you any junk mail or anything.

https://prds.aqha.com/PRDS_videostream/

(click on where it says “new to our system” to register - you don’t need to be an AQHA member.)

I love those big, chunky racing QHs.

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Someone please tell me how you attach the flipping halter to the gate? Please.

[beatsworking]

[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6195427]
I asked the same thing here, in this forum, a month ago:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343941

I would love to know how the flipping halter (flipping rig) attaches to the gate? Anyone?

I’m sure it is by the big ring at the bottom, but then what?

Tx.[/QUOTE]

The ring is attached to the gate by the latch pin. One problem with a flipping halter is if the horse leans back on the rig it might prevent/delay its gate from opening. When you get a horse approved to run in a flipping halter you must acknowledge and accept this risk. Usually, a rubber band is attached to the ring and the throat latch to prevent the rig from swinging after the start.

[Moo_Moo]

[QUOTE=beatsworking;6196406]
The ring is attached to the gate by the latch pin. One problem with a flipping halter is if the horse leans back on the rig it might prevent/delay its gate from opening. When you get a horse approved to run in a flipping halter you must acknowledge and accept this risk. Usually, a rubber band is attached to the ring and the throat latch to prevent the rig from swinging after the start.[/QUOTE]

Does it stop the horse from rearing? If so then how does it know the difference between to stop a horse from rearing and blasting out of the gate? Thank you!

[pinkdiamondracing]

There are 2 types of flipping halters… Nose halters ( where the ring is on the nose of the halter) and old style throat halters. The rings are attached to the gate by a small rope that is looped around the pin holding the gate shut…when the gate pin releases…the halter is free. NEVER in over 20 years in the QH racing industry, have I seen a gate NOT open due to a horse laying back on his ring. They won’t break as well, but the gate still opens.
QH racing is my true love, have been involved with it since childhood, so if anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask!!!

[Simkie]

Hot. Damn. I tried to figure out what a flipping halter was EONS ago, and just kept running into brick walls. I purchased a TB mare who’d started in one. Should have told me something about her, perhaps :lol:

Thank you for finally clearing up this mystery for me!

[beaujolais]

Ooo, great, now I’m starting to get it, almost. Thanks Beatsworking & Pink Diamond.

So, this latch pin thing, is it a pin that slides left or right when the gate is opened (like a stall door latch)? Or maybe it is just a metal block you loop the rope around?

I am so grateful for your help, btw.

I didn’t realize tbs go in flipping halters, also. I bet not at all as often, though. I never hear it announced.

PinkDiamond: I love QH racing ! I will surely come up with more questions for you.

Now, that picture of Cold Cash 123 - is the flipping rig usually hanging that much or is that what Beatsworking says can be rubberbanded up? Seems like it would bounce around and be annoying as they have it in that photo. Or is that how they all sit?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.