Everyone's heard of a "bird's eye view", but not many people stop to think of a horse's vision. Because a horse's eyes are situated on the sides of its head, it can't see objects directly in front of it but instead has what we humans consider great peripheral vision. This is one contributing element to a horse's "spook factor". In simple terms, while we riders tend to look ahead, a horse sees things off in the bushes to the side; many times resulting in the horse's jumping sideways to escape the danger it perceives.
Everyone's heard of a "bird's eye view", but not many people stop to think of a horse's vision. Because a horse's eyes are situated on the sides of its head, it can't see objects directly in front of it but instead has what we humans consider great peripheral vision. This is one contributing element to a horse's "spook factor". In simple terms, while we riders tend to look ahead, a horse sees things off in the bushes to the side; many times resulting in the horse's jumping sideways to escape the danger it perceives.
17 comments:
. . .and thus, as I recollect, throwing me the fuck off their backs!
Is THAT why you won't ever ride with me?
P.S. So far, my Rockies have NEVER jumped sideways, but guess there's always a first time. As a breed they are generally known to be VERY laid back...great mounts for an old lady like ME.
P.P.S. And I bet you wouldn't get the same 'old lady' feel as driving the cruise mobile.
Why is this so? It would almost seem as if horses were designed to need help moving ahead. Being steered, so to speak.
But many mammals of the four-legged, hoofed variety, have eyes on the sides of their heads. Not the predators, so much. But the vegetarian mammals. Hmm.
Maybe that's part of why communication between horse & rider is so important & why trust generates confidence.
Do prey animals have eyes on the sides of their heads so they can see predators trying to sneak up on them? Do predators have eyes facing forward because being on the top of the food chain means they don't need that peripheral vision?
Maybe that's part of why communication between horse & rider is so important & why trust generates confidence. Do prey animals have eyes on the sides of their heads so they can see predators trying to sneak up on them? Do predators have eyes facing forward because being on the top of the food chain means they don't need that peripheral vision?
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