Featured Video: From the Horse’s Perspective

A horse’s eyesight functions a bit differently from a human’s. Because their eyes are set on the sides of their head rather than at the front of their face the way a human’s are, they see a wider span than we do. While humans see everything through both eyes (binocular vision), horses have monocular vision on either side with a smaller span of binocular vision at the center. They have a bit of a blind spot right in front of their noses. The spectrum of colors that they see differs from what we see.

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It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to perceive the world the way horses do, but today’s featured video about equine vision gives a pretty good approximation. The video was created as a joint effort between scientists and graphic designers and shared by Haras de la Cense, a French organization dedicated to studying equine nature and educating equestrians.

Understanding equine vision is one way to better understand why horses behave the way they do. For example, the video shows that horses can see better in the dark than humans can, which means when it seems like your horse is shying at a shadow, he might actually be seeing something in the underbrush that you can’t.

For best effect, watch the video full screen on your computer.

7 years ago

Leslie Potter

Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.

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View Comments

Marion says:

July 12, 2017 at 4:05 am

WOW that was very interesting! Sure helps us humans to understand them better! Loved it!
SAM says:

July 12, 2017 at 7:22 am

Unless there is a new study - im not sure that is 100% accurate ...
i was always taught that horses can see almost completely around their body except for directly next to their rear hooves to the other rear hoof ...and a small area the size of the width of their nose in front
if this is still true the image should be wider with a small blind spot in the center
Once the horse enters the take off zone of a jump they are "blind" they can't see the fence or the landing zone until they are at the peak of the jump - jumpers have to trust their riders to guide them
Kathy says:

July 13, 2017 at 4:02 am

I learned years ago that they didn't see in colors the way we do. This one is seeing more in the shades of gray, but also that red brush is red. Still an interesting perspective from the horses view point!
Sherry says:

July 14, 2017 at 3:49 am

Yes, shades of gray, but some of the primary colors, like red and blue do seem to be in there. Very interesting for sure!
Jenny says:

July 15, 2017 at 4:06 am

WOW that is really good insight as to how they see and adjust to things. Parden the pun!
Rob says:

July 16, 2017 at 4:02 am

Interesting, thought it would have shown him seeing more to the sides and almost around to his tail? Unless they can focus on the front when they want to, and then behind them when needed?
Heather says:

July 17, 2017 at 4:02 am

Fascinating to watch, always wondered how they see!
Andrea says:

July 18, 2017 at 5:55 am

Thank you for the lesson in equine vision! Thoroughly enjoyed learning this!
Vicki says:

July 18, 2017 at 11:53 am

Thank you that was great.
CeCe says:

July 19, 2017 at 6:24 am

Awesome, loved learning more about their vision!