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By Fie Dømler

Humans are practically blind in the dark. We would function pretty bad in a field during the evenings and nights with both electric fences, holes in the ground and water troughs – all which we would probably bump into. At some point we would learn to avoid all the obstacles, but we would be challenged to actually physically see them especially if someone moved it around. It is not quite like this for horses. They have a much better night vision than humans. The reason is that they have more rods than cones in the eye. The rods are responsible for increased night vision, while cones are responsible for color vision. In connection to this, humans have very fewer rods than horses. However, people can brag about having a much more advanced color vision, because we have more cones in our eyes than horses.

Even, horses have a good night vision they are of course not nocturnal animals as with for example bats. Therefore, horses also have their own limits in terms of seeing objects in the dark - distinguishing between shadows and real objects are a challenge. Horses have a relatively good vision in cloudy or foggy weather and in the late evenings when the sun is starting to set. However, they are much more challenged when it comes to very bright weather. It is especially a problem if you bring the horse inside the stable from the field. Most stables are very dark, and the horse will feel almost blind for a few seconds until it is familiar with the new light. This experience can also affect the ability to bring your horse into a trailer. If the horse gets scared of the change of light because it feels blind, it might not like the trailer very much. Therefore, this should be taken into account when you are loading your horse. 

An interesting detail, even it is taken a bit out of context, is that a horse has a very advanced vision - especially when it comes to movements. In other words, a horse very quickly realizes if a person is walking towards it, or if a tree sways in the wind. It makes sense, because a horse is designed to reckon any movement from a possible enemy. Therefore, you have probably experienced that your horse is more observant in windy weather, and it is probably a bit less fun to ride out on a good hack. The explanation is that horses are not very good at distinguishing if the movement is coming from the wind or if a lion is going to attack it. All kinds of movements are a potential danger to the horse. 

Humans have a much better color vision than horses, and for many years science thought that horses were completely color blind. However, this is not the case. Horses are able to see variations of blue and green, and some scientists believe they can also see types of yellow. In the world of showjumping it is therefore important that the poles and the rest of the jumps have different colors and varies significantly from the substrate. Otherwise, the horse can have trouble actually see the jumps in front of them.

The days are getting shorter, and at the moment you are probably driving to the stable after work, when the sun has set. It is always a little sad, when the sunny days are over - now it is the end for late afternoon training or hacking out. The question is, though, if you can take your horse to the nearest indoor arena in the dark without worrying if the horse stumbles over holes in the road. Cause how do horses actually see in the dark?

Can your horse see in the dark?

eye-aften.jpg

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Afternoon Riding

Horses have a better vision in the dark than humans

Be aware of sudden light changes

Are your horse more frighten in windy weather? This is the explanation

Colors on jumps are very important

makebe-logo.png
aftenridning5.jpg
New image
Receive our newsletter about the
daily life with horses in your inbox
Check the latest news on our platforms
New image

Can your horse see in the dark?

By Fie Dømler

The days are getting shorter, and at the moment you are probably driving to the stable after work, when the sun has set. It is always a little sad, when the sunny days are over - now it is the end for late afternoon training or hacking out. The question is, though, if you can take your horse to the nearest indoor arena in the dark without worrying if the horse stumbles over holes in the road. Cause how do horses actually see in the dark?

Humans are practically blind in the dark. We would function pretty bad in a field during the evenings and nights with both electric fences, holes in the ground and water troughs – all which we would probably bump into. At some point we would learn to avoid all the obstacles, but we would be challenged to actually physically see them especially if someone moved it around. It is not quite like this for horses. They have a much better night vision than humans. The reason is that they have more rods than cones in the eye. The rods are responsible for increased night vision, while cones are responsible for color vision. In connection to this, humans have very fewer rods than horses. However, people can brag about having a much more advanced color vision, because we have more cones in our eyes than horses.

Even, horses have a good night vision they are of course not nocturnal animals as with for example bats. Therefore, horses also have their own limits in terms of seeing objects in the dark - distinguishing between shadows and real objects are a challenge. Horses have a relatively good vision in cloudy or foggy weather and in the late evenings when the sun is starting to set. However, they are much more challenged when it comes to very bright weather. It is especially a problem if you bring the horse inside the stable from the field. Most stables are very dark, and the horse will feel almost blind for a few seconds until it is familiar with the new light. This experience can also affect the ability to bring your horse into a trailer. If the horse gets scared of the change of light because it feels blind, it might not like the trailer very much. Therefore, this should be taken into account when you are loading your horse. 

eye-aften.jpg

An interesting detail, even it is taken a bit out of context, is that a horse has a very advanced vision - especially when it comes to movements. In other words, a horse very quickly realizes if a person is walking towards it, or if a tree sways in the wind. It makes sense, because a horse is designed to reckon any movement from a possible enemy. Therefore, you have probably experienced that your horse is more observant in windy weather, and it is probably a bit less fun to ride out on a good hack. The explanation is that horses are not very good at distinguishing if the movement is coming from the wind or if a lion is going to attack it. All kinds of movements are a potential danger to the horse. 

Humans have a much better color vision than horses, and for many years science thought that horses were completely color blind. However, this is not the case. Horses are able to see variations of blue and green, and some scientists believe they can also see types of yellow. In the world of showjumping it is therefore important that the poles and the rest of the jumps have different colors and varies significantly from the substrate. Otherwise, the horse can have trouble actually see the jumps in front of them.

advertisement

advertisement

Afternoon Riding

Horses have a better vision in the dark than humans

Be aware of sudden light changes

Are your horse more frighten in windy weather? This is the explanation

Colors on jumps are very important

makebe-logo.png

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