If you've ever walked up to a horse, only to have it suddenly startle and skitter away, you may have wondered, “What did I do wrong?” Often, it’s not about what you did; it’s about what the horse saw – or thought it saw.
A horse's eyesight is uniquely adapted to their environment, but these adaptations can make their perception of the world a bit different from ours, say the experts at the British Horse Society.
Understanding this can shed light on why horses can be reactive and sometimes skittish, even at the smallest, unexpected movement.
How good is a horse's vision?
To begin with, horses have one of the largest eyes of any land mammal. Positioned on the side of their head, these eyes give them a panoramic view of their surroundings, offering an impressive 350-degree field of vision.
This broad view allows horses to detect movement from nearly every direction. With only a small blind spot directly behind their tail and another just in front of their nose, horses are capable of spotting a potential threat long before it’s close.
However, this impressive range comes at a cost. Horses do not have as much binocular vision as humans do, meaning they can only focus both eyes on an object directly in front of them.
The rest of their vision is monocular, with each eye acting independently. So, while they can spot danger from almost any angle, their depth perception is limited, which can make it difficult for them to judge the exact position of an object unless it's right in front of them.
Do horses see in colour?
Another unique aspect of horse vision is colour perception. Unlike humans, who have three types of colour-detecting cells (or cones) in our eyes, horses only have two.
This means they see the world in shades of primarily blue and yellow but cannot distinguish red, or many other colours. A bright red object might appear as a muted earthy tone, blending in with its surroundings, which could explain why horses sometimes seem to ignore certain objects until they’re quite close.
How do horses perceive motion?
Because horses evolved as prey animals, they have a natural instinct to flee at the first hint of danger. To a horse, a sudden movement – even something like a plastic bag blowing in the wind – could signify a threat, setting off their flight response.
Moreover, a horse's depth perception can make stationary objects appear harmless until they move. This explains why horses can seem skittish or reactive when they’re exposed to unexpected motion in their environment.
Why understanding what horses see matters
Understanding how horses see and perceive the world can help us better anticipate their behaviour. When a horse appears nervous or is shying away from something, it’s often because they’re unsure about what they’re seeing.
By approaching horses calmly and staying aware of their blind spots, we can help reduce their startle response. For example, approaching a horse from their side, rather than from directly behind, lets them see you clearly, reducing the likelihood that they’ll startle.
Similarly, being mindful of sudden movements and noises around horses can help keep them calm. When leading or riding a horse, sudden fast movements from cars, cyclists or unannounced runners may startle them.
Recognising how a horse sees the world can go a long way in building trust. Whether you’re an equestrian or simply spending time around horses, appreciating their unique perspective can help create a calmer, safer environment for both you and the horse.
After all, when you’re aware of how a horse sees, you’re one step closer to understanding how they think and feel – and that’s a crucial foundation for a rewarding horse-human bond.
Want to improve your equestrian knowledge? Then check out our horse section that has everything from a guide to the different equestrian sports to the ins and outs of equine ownership in our feature about how much it costs to own a horse.