Horses at Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede and horses go hand in hand. It is a western-fueled event that is both a large fair and a rodeo. It ties back to the Old West, and Calgary has long roots in this lifestyle that is still very apparent across the western Canadian prairies. This group of horses was there to pull a carriage, and the blinkers are meant to block the horses' eyes so that when they are pulling a carriage or wagon, their attention can be kept forward, which enhances their discipline and improves safety. Without these blinders, horses have nearly 360-degree panoramic vision, allowing them to detect potential threats from many directions. This field of vision can be a liability when focus is required and not only helps the safety of passengers but also of the horses themselves.