" Horses, scarcely better; splashed to their very blinkers."
I doubt that many members remember seeing draft horses, with their lateral vision blocked by hand sized leather squares. I suppose they lessened likelihood of horse reacting undesirably to things approaching from the side.

I'd always heard "blinders".

Dear etaoin: blinders is the word I used to hear. I found a site about draft horses, which used both, but blinders principally, no difference stated.

Bill, thanks. both do words make sense. glad to know I wasn't mis-hearing all these years!