What are blinders?

Blinders, also known as blinkers or winker blinkers, are devices attached to the sides of the head of an animal, usually a horse or a mule, that restrict its field of vision so it cannot see behind or to the side. They are most often used to prevent the animal from being distracted or frightened by objects or movements that are not directly in front of it, and to focus its attention on the task at hand, such as pulling a cart or carrying a rider. Blinders can be made of various materials, including leather, cloth, or plastic. They may be adjustable to allow for different degrees of vision restriction.