Mick & David Easterby: Racing Syndicates and Racehorse Ownership




Refuge showing an impressive set of whiskers.

Removal of sensory hairs to be outlawed



Removal of sensory hairs to be outlawed

16.42 | Fri 7 Jun 24 | Racehorses


As of 1st July it will be no longer permitted to remove sensory hairs (whiskers) from the faces of racehorses.

A horse's whisker follicles are deeper and larger than other hair follicles, with a richer blood supply. They are connected to far more nerves than regular hairs which helps to make whiskers incredibly sensitive to touch. They can also detect gentle air movements which provides them with vast amounts of information.

Whiskers are a coarse hair-like structure found around the horse’s eyes and muzzle. Their purpose is to provide sensory feedback on the horse’s environment and surroundings. The length of the whiskers determines the safe distance from unfamiliar objects. This compensates for the blind spots that a horse has in front of his or her face and underneath the nose. Often the only information a horse receives about what is happening in these areas is provided through their whiskers. As well as this, they also enable the horse to understand unfamiliar characteristics of food or detect small inedible objects.

We are proud to say that here at Mick & David Easterby Racing we have never removed these hairs from our horses and here's Refuge and Yorkstone showing off their fine sets of whiskers.



Yorkstone showing off what's almost a beard








Images:

More News


Tue 25 Jun Sales

Tue 25 Jun News

Tue 25 Jun Previews

Mon 24 Jun Rehoming

Mon 24 Jun Results

Sun 23 Jun Bloodstock