Starting Stalls

Also known as barriers. Mechanism of starting compartments for the horses. Runners enter the stalls at the start of a race and, when all have been loaded, the starter operates a lever or button which opens all the front doors of the stalls simultaneously. Before stalls, horses lined up at the start behind a tape or barrier. The introduction of stalls, first used in North America, enables all horses to have an equal chance at the start. Also referred to as the starting gate or barrier. These can be moved from start to start.