How to Measure Pacing Hobbles

Pacing hobbles are used to help keep standardbred pacers on the pace, instead of trotting or galloping. Hobbles (hopples) loop around the front and back legs on the same side. The average length of a pacing hobble is between 56 to 57 inches. Horses will a smaller stride will measure in the lower 50s and horses with huge strides will measure around 60 inches. Being able to measure hobbles is essential to make sure both the right and left hobble match in length and to make sure that they are the proper length for your horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Measuring tape

1. Hand one end of the hobble to another person along with the end of the measuring tape.
2. Pull your end of the hobble tight.
3. Make sure that the person holding the opposite end of the measuring tape is measuring from the inside of the buckle.
4. Read the length of the hobble stretched out from buckle to buckle, using the inside of the hobble as the start and stop of the measurement.
5. To change the length simply use the buckles in the middle to shorten or lengthen, but be sure to reinforce these middle buckles with electrical tape once they are set to the proper length.