I’ve recently come across quite a few discussions on horse training aids for riding and lunging, and, not having all the answers myself, I looked to research for a clue. One article I found, by Merkies and Franzin (2021) highlights, among other things, how horse’s eyes work.

The article starts by noting that horses can see almost all the way around themselves with a missing strip at the front and the back. They can discern orange, yellow, blue, and green, but struggle with red. Horses, unlike humans, have a ‘visual strip’ that allows them to see the horizon. They adjust their vision by moving their head and neck into certain positions.

My heart-horse is a young horse, and if you have ever spent any time in a tack shop, or browsing online, you will note that there are a multitude of different tools that are available to “develop the top line”. I’d never really thought about how those tools, most of which are restrictive, impact what my horse can see. I’ve never really been a fan of draw reins, but I do think that the over-under lunging ropes have become popular more recently. 

Similarly, side-reins have become a must…based on Equestrian Canada’s requirements that riders and coaches know how to use them correctly (You can see my other posts for information on Rider Levels). I have had coaches tell me their preferences, generally relating what the tool can do for muscle development, but never once have I been told that preventing this free movements does not allow my horse to see and process environmental cues and ultimately how to respond to them. 

Maybe I should have made this connection myself, and maybe it is obvious to readers already, but I think I assumed because there was simply a blind spot at the front and back, my horse could see everything else.

So, whether your horse is young like mine or a been-there-done-that one, the next time you put on tack that restricts head movement, consider what that does to your horse’s vision. Maybe it is totally fine, maybe it requires a different tactic.

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