How do cheekpieces differ from blinkers?
Concise comparison of cheekpieces and blinkers, showing how each alters a horse’s vision and behaviour, how they appear on racecards, their typical uses and limits, and a worked hypothetical example to interpret a trainer’s equipment choice.
By James HartfordSenior Racing CorrespondentPublished · Updated · 850 words · 5 min read
The short answer
Cheekpieces are strips of sheepskin attached to the bridle that partially obscure rear and lateral vision to encourage focus; blinkers are a hood with eye cups that more strongly narrow forward and side vision to reduce distraction. Both are recorded on racecards (p for cheekpieces, b for blinkers) and used to sharpen concentration, but they differ in fit, visual effect and how aggressively they restrict sight [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Basic functional difference: how each piece alters a horse’s vision
Cheekpieces are strips of sheepskin attached to the sides of the bridle that partially obscure a horse’s rear or lateral vision, nudging the animal to look and run more forward; blinkers are a hood with cups around the eyes that more strongly restrict lateral and sometimes rear vision to limit distraction. Both are intended to sharpen concentration during a race, but the physical construction changes the degree and direction of vision limitation. Cheekpieces sit close to the bridle and create a softer, less rigid barrier; blinkers cover the eye area and form cups that narrow the field of view. Practical consequence: cheekpieces tend to be subtler, blinkers are more pronounced in their visual restriction and behavioural effect [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Typical trainer reasons for choosing cheekpieces versus blinkers
Trainers choose cheekpieces when they want to reduce drifting, improve straightness, or encourage a horse that looks and reacts to horses behind it to focus on running. Blinkers are favoured when a horse is easily distracted by crowd movement, sights on the outside, or tends to shy and lose concentration; they can force a more direct, uninterrupted gallop. Selection often reflects previous race behaviour and specific temperamental traits observed at home or in gallops. The two devices are tools to influence attentiveness: cheekpieces aim for a modest adjustment, blinkers for a stronger behavioural change. Official racecards and declarations will show the chosen equipment, which can be interpreted alongside form to assess likely impact [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
How equipment appears on racecards and what the notations mean
Racecards use standardized shorthand so readers can spot equipment quickly: a small p denotes cheekpieces and a small b denotes blinkers; numerical suffixes such as b1 or p1 indicate first-time use in a race. These notations come from trainer declarations and are published at the declaration stage so observers can see an equipment change before the race. Because first-time use is often of particular interest — trainers try changes when looking for improvement — the p1 or b1 marker is a prompt to check previous runs, trial reports or the trainer’s comments. Using racecards in conjunction with past performance helps interpret whether a change is experimental or part of a consistent equipment plan [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Limits, uncertainty and what the evidence shows about effectiveness
Neither cheekpieces nor blinkers are guaranteed fixes; their effects depend on individual temperament, training, and race conditions. Evidence in training and racing notes is observational: a horse may respond positively, showing improved focus, or negatively, becoming overly keen or uncomfortable. The devices change vision and thereby behaviour, but outcomes vary. Trainers often trial equipment at home or in lesser races to gauge response before applying them in more important events. Because published glossaries describe their form and intended purpose rather than quantified success rates, interpreting equipment changes requires combining the notation with form analysis, sectional splits, and post-race observations to assess real impact [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Reading a form: practical checks when you see cheekpieces or blinkers declared
When you spot a p or b on a racecard, check the horse’s recent runs for signs the equipment might address: did it hang, shy at the stands, or lose concentration in the straight? Look for prior starts wearing the same gear and note any improvement or deterioration. Pay attention to first-time markers (p1, b1) as these often signal an experimental change. Also check whether a visor or other headgear has been used previously; visors are similar to blinkers but have slits allowing some lateral vision and are noted with a v on the card. Combine the equipment signal with trainer form, ground preference and race pace to form a practical view on likely effect [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Worked example
hypothetical Suppose a horse has run three times and shown a tendency to glance or stop responding when another runner comes level on its outside in the straight. The trainer declares cheekpieces for the next start and the racecard shows p1. This suggests a softer attempt to sharpen the horse’s attention to running straight rather than a more forceful visual block. If, instead, the trainer had declared blinkers and the card showed b1, that would indicate an intention to narrow the horse’s visual field more strongly to limit outside distractions. In reading these changes, observers should compare finishing positions, margin patterns, and whether the horse has improved when wearing similar gear previously; absence of prior evidence means the effect is uncertain and should be treated as an experimental adjustment rather than a proven solution [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Related questions
Will cheekpieces or blinkers always make a horse run better?
Neither guarantees improvement. Trainers fit cheekpieces or blinkers to change a horse’s focus; response varies by temperament and past behaviour. Racecard notation shows first-time use for each (p or b markers) so bettors and observers can note a change but must look at prior runs and trainer comments to judge likely effect [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
How do racecards show first-time cheekpieces or blinkers?
Racecards mark cheekpieces with a small p and blinkers with a small b next to the horse’s weight; a numeric suffix (for example b1) denotes first-time use in a race, which helps readers flag an equipment change for assessment [gbr-glossary] [jc-glossary].
Sources
- Great British Racing: Jargon Buster — accessed
- The Jockey Club: Racing Explained Glossary — accessed
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