Spooky Problems?!

Ever wonder why horses can be so spooky when we don’t expect it? The following blog outlines the equine vision and why they react how they do.

The equine species (horses and ponies) have the largest eyes of any land mammal in the world. They, like many prey species have eyes placed on the sides of their head versus directly in front of them. Eye placement and the shape of their head allows them to have a nearly 360-degree field of vision. The other 20-degrees include blind spots. The blind spots are located directly in front, which includes between the eyes, the ground where their front feet land, their chest and knees. They also cannot see directly behind them. We’ve all had a horse jump when we didn’t expect it and couldn’t figure out why. There’s a good chance we were out of their sight and they didn’t know we were there. Many people get kicked or stepped on because of this.

FUN FACT: Horses and ponies have anywhere from 20/30-20/60 visual acuity. They see better than the average cat with 20/100 visual acuity or dog with 20/75 visual acuity. Horse and ponies don’t see images as detailed as a human with 20/20, but they have a much broader range of sight and they can see when it’s darker. It does take them more time to adjust between light and dark though.

Horses and ponies have two types of vision: binocular vision where both eyes are used to focus on one object and monocular vision, which allows the horse to focus on an object in front with one eye and behind with the other eye. If they see an object they aren’t sure of, they’ll over turn their head to switch from monocular to binocular sight.

When being around horses, remember and respect the dynamics of their sight and senses. Be careful of your surroundings and be sure to stay calm if a horse does spook or react. There’s a good chance it was an instinct and how we react the first time can lead to how they react the next time. As I was once told “be alert, but be calm; be calm, but be alert.”

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http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/how-horses-see-the-world.aspx

http://www.equusite.com/articles/safety/safetyEyesight.shtml

http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/eyes_091003-11326