Blinders or Blinkers, and which one is American?

[hest]

What would you call the little leather squares on a driving bridle - 'blinkers' or 'blinders'?

And which of these two terms is more common in American?

Huge thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

I call them blinkers (as do most, if not all of the people I know off the harness racing circuit).

There is a piece of kit called a 'Murphy Blind' which I believe is more common (and may have originated) from America so if I was going to put my money on which was American, I'd say 'blinders'.

 

[Enfys]

Take your pick, I have heard them called blinkers, blinders and winkers here

Murphy Blind, American designed by Thomas W Murphy b 1888. Not only did he train harness horses, but tb's and won the Kentucky Derby with a horse called Twenty Grand.

http://www.oddsonracing.com/docs/DriverofthemonthJUNE2008ThomasMurphy.cfm

 

[FubsyMog]

I only ever knew them as blinkers until I started frequenting some American horse sites - then I came across the term blinders.

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

Murphy Blind, American designed by Thomas W Murphy b 1888. Not only did he train harness horses, but tb's and won the Kentucky Derby with a horse called Twenty Grand.

http://www.oddsonracing.com/docs/DriverofthemonthJUNE2008ThomasMurphy.cfm

Thanks Enfys! Now I can quote it as fact!

 

[cremedemonthe]

In the English saddlery trade we call them Winkers, Oz

 

[hest]

Blimey, don't throw winkers in to the mix - it's confusing enough as it is

Thank you everyone for the interesting and informative replies.

Does anyone know whether an American would understand the term 'blinkers' in relation to the the term 'to take off your blinkers', or do they only say 'blinders'.

This is for a book title so has to suit the US and UK English market and be understood by both (I'm English and I didn't have a clue what 'blinders' were when it was suggested as a part of a title!)

Many grateful thanks for any advice/opinions.

 

[xloopylozzax]

My dad called them blinders (like blinkers just swapping the consonant, not the sound of the vowel of that makes sense)

He was most definitely English, born and bred Yorkshire man!

 

[Enfys]

Does anyone know whether an American would understand the term 'blinkers' in relation to the the term 'to take off your blinkers', or do they only say 'blinders'.

There are several Americans on here, you could ask the same question in the Overseas part of the regional forum.

I will ask my Boarders tonight, they don't understand half the things I say! I am not at all sure that it is a phrase used commonly here though.

Toddles off to pose the question on a couple of forums too

 

[Enfys]

OK, I asked on an American forum, this is the response I had:



* Another way of saying,"Take off your Blinders". As in Open Your eyes!!


* open your eyes, look around you, be aware, - anything to do with 'opening your eyes & gaining an awareness'


* open your eyes

* Yup...what they said!

* Well, blinkers let you see, but only with a very narrow focus, so you can't see the "Big Picture." In racing, its for horses not to be able to see horses coming up behind them.

So, yes, I would say that the horsey fraternity, at least, will know.

 

[hest]

OK, I asked on an American forum, this is the response I had:



* Another way of saying,"Take off your Blinders". As in Open Your eyes!!


* open your eyes, look around you, be aware, - anything to do with 'opening your eyes & gaining an awareness'


* open your eyes

* Yup...what they said!

* Well, blinkers let you see, but only with a very narrow focus, so you can't see the "Big Picture." In racing, its for horses not to be able to see horses coming up behind them.

So, yes, I would say that the horsey fraternity, at least, will know.

Enfys, thank you so much! That is just what I needed to hear. The point of the book I am editing is based round the idea of riders 'opening their eyes' to their riding style (and being open to changing it, if necessary) and is pitched primarily at the American market, so the term 'blinders' would be way more fitting in the title I am looking at. I am so grateful! Thanks be to HHO