| In your efforts to become a good horseman, you need | | | | of this. |
| to know certain horse facts that will hasten your | | | | Horses have very sensitive skin and can feel a single |
| progress. Horses have the same senses we do, | | | | fly light on their hair anywhere on their body! That |
| hearing, smell, taste, sight and touch. But, they operate | | | | makes it easier for us to train them because they are |
| differently than our own. Because the information they | | | | receptive to the side of our legs on their bellies and the |
| get from their senses dictate how horses interact with | | | | feel of our hands through the reins attached to the bit |
| their environment, it is important to take the time to | | | | in his mouth. In fact, sometimes, we must de-sensitize |
| understand how they work and what to expect from | | | | the horse so he does not over react to us as riders. |
| our horses. Let us explore their senses and how they | | | | That is why slight pressure from a rider is all that is |
| may differ from our own. | | | | usually needed to signal a command to a horse, |
| A horse can hear keener than we do and since he | | | | whether that be legs or hands. |
| can move his ears about 180 degrees around, he can | | | | Probably the most important horse fact to understand |
| better isolate where a sound is coming from. That | | | | regarding senses is about their sight. They have |
| way, he will know which direction to run in, escaping | | | | monocular vision, meaning they see different things out |
| from whatever he perceives endangers him! For us | | | | of each eye and only occasionally use binocular vision |
| riders, horses can hear us speak quite well. This horse | | | | like we do, seeing the same thing out of both eyes. |
| fact is important. We know we can speak quietly and | | | | Their eyes are set out on the sides of their heads |
| they will hear us just fine. Horses are conducive to | | | | which allows them terrific peripheral vision. They have |
| learning voice commands and they are always best | | | | two blind spots, however: directly in front of their |
| received when delivered in a calm, soothing way. | | | | forehead and directly behind them. You will often see |
| Their sense of smell is also more acute than ours, but | | | | horses moving their head from side to side to increase |
| not as good as dogs. They can detect smells that we | | | | their field of vision. They are going from monocular to |
| are oblivious to. This is an important horse fact. If you | | | | binocular use of their eyes. Their color detection is |
| are out riding and your horse stops and acts alarmed | | | | poor and they do not have good depth perception. |
| even though you cannot see anything, he may be | | | | That is why a mud puddle in a tire track could appear |
| smelling another animal lurking nearby that you are | | | | to be a bottomless pit to them! They can also visually |
| unaware of. Pay attention to his behavior and trust him! | | | | detect motion better than us. You will notice that on a |
| Almost always, if you stop, watch and listen, you will | | | | windy day, horses seem to shy and jump around |
| eventually see what your horse has been smelling all | | | | more. Part of it may be the wind on their skin but also, |
| along. | | | | they see things moving that we do not notice. They |
| Like us, horses enjoy a variety of tastes including | | | | are looking for scary things to run from and seem to |
| sweet and salty foods. Molasses and a good salt | | | | be ready at any second to do just that! So, recognize |
| block will satisfy a horse! But, that is not enough to | | | | that for what it is next time you are riding on a windy |
| keep him healthy. It is up to us to provide healthy feed | | | | day and your horse is acting flighty! |
| and roughage, all of which will be covered in another | | | | In conclusion, once you understand these horse facts, |
| article. They can develop a distinct preference for | | | | how horses perceive the world through sight, hearing, |
| sweets which is not good for them! Giving them | | | | touch, smell and taste, you will be better able to predict |
| sweet treats can create a bad habit of nipping, looking | | | | their behavior. You will also better understand your |
| for that treat in your hand or in your pocket. We are all | | | | horse and develop a true compassion for him as your |
| guilty of spoiling those we love, including our equine | | | | friend and companion. |
| friends. But, I would encourage you not to do too much | | | | |