03/01/2024
I've often wondered what colours our horses see. As a child I was told they see only in black and white, and yet that didn't seem to match my observations on horses reactions to certain colours. This seems to make more sense.
What are your thoughts?
**Acknowledgement: Originally from www.karenwhisten.co.uk
🟡🟢🔵Research has shown that horses are able to detect yellow, blue, green and grey. 🟡🟢🔵
🔘Objects that contrast with the colour of the ground are also easier for horses to see……So if you are training young/novices horses with poles and jumps, it is helpful to use colours that can be seen against the surface of your arena.
🔴🟠🟤Scientists have found that red images seem to merge with green and brown for horses. 🔴🟠🟤
🐆🐅🦁Interestingly most predators of the horse are shades of brown, which allow them camouflage within their surroundings!🐆🐅🦁
…I know there are no longer predators lurking in the bushes in the UK but horses still have that inbuilt survival instincts, just like people maybe scared of a harmless 🕷️spider or a grass snake!🕷🐍
🙉👂👃The horse has evolved to be efficient at using other senses, to detect their predator particularly hearing and smell. 🙉👂👃 (more about these another time!)
🛑 Does your horse ever stop to focus on something with tension for no apparent reason? 🛑
🌁He is probably not just admiring the view……it maybe that he thinks he has heard or even smelled that camouflaged predator!
It maybe useful to give him a moment to listen, smell and perhaps look before you ask him to go forwards.
