| Understanding how a horse sees the world can | | | | sudden movement, especially when in an |
| help a great deal when we'd like to know why | | | | unfamiliar situation. If something moves suddenly |
| horses act the way they do.Horses perceive their | | | | into their peripheral field of vision this will usually |
| environment differently than humans because of | | | | cause horses to bolt. |
| the way their eyes are structured. | | | | Horses, with their wide field of vision, have only |
| There is some controversy surrounding the eyes | | | | two blind spots: that which is directly in front or |
| structure of horses. Horses were thought to have | | | | behind them. When approaching a horse from the |
| ramped retinas, meaning their eyes don't form a | | | | rear you should talk to him to avoid startling him. |
| true arc making the retina closer to the lens, but | | | | When tackling difficult terrain it's a good idea to |
| now it is believed that this may not be the case. | | | | allow your horse free rein to enable him to find |
| A horse's eyesight is optimised for grazing and | | | | his footing easily. |
| watching for predators at the same time, but as | | | | Your horse's eyes are very sensitive to light and |
| such, it becomes a handicap when judging | | | | this is why young or inexperienced horses seem |
| distance and height and this is why you'll notice | | | | nervous when you are trying to load them into a |
| that horses lower their heads when approaching a | | | | horsebox. Horses need time for their eyes to |
| jump. On approaching a jump, you may notice | | | | adjust to a darker environment such as a |
| that horses lower their heads then raise them in | | | | horsebox. Entering a horsebox is akin to entering |
| an effort to appraise the height of the obstacle. | | | | a dark cave and your horse's reluctance to do so |
| When approaching an obstacle, the horse will lose | | | | is what saved its ancestors - caves housed |
| sight of the jump right before takeoff; | | | | dangerous predators! |
| experienced riders take this into account and allow | | | | Understanding your horse's vision can help you |
| their horses to raise their heads before jumping. | | | | understand why your horse reacts in various |
| As horses are color blind they can't see colors as | | | | situations; a lot of the time inexperienced horse |
| we do, they see the world as a mosaic of | | | | owners mistakenly believe their horse is |
| varying light reflections. They do however notice | | | | intentionally acting up when the real reason for |
| movement instantly and can react accordingly, | | | | their horse's behaviour is related to the his vision |
| much to the dismay of the inexperienced rider! | | | | and way of seeing the world. |
| An inexperienced horse may shy violently at any | | | | |