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reducing the variations in luminosity theretina must cope with between the usuallybrighter sky and the usually darkerground. In very bright light, the rectangular-shaped pupil can constrict such that itcreates two pupils, which may allow thehorse to better discriminate relative distances than a single round pupil, a distinctadvantage in determining how far away apredator may be.\It does take horses longer to adjust todim lighting. States Dr. Murphy, \too surprising that even modestly rapidshifts from bright to dim environments(and vice versa) would be visually disturbing to a horse. Again, to some extentthe 'prey mentality%u2019 plays a role in this behavior as inability to fully evaluate the visual environment prior to entering thetrailer, stall, paddock etc. may provokeanxiety over the unknown.\Horses are not color-blind, but they donot see the same range of colors as humans. Humans have three types of conecells (the cells responsible for seeing color)whereas horses only have two types ofcone cells. Says Dr. Murphy, \four basic hues: blue, green, yellow, andred, and about 100 intermediate colorssuch as yellow-green, orange, violet, etc. It's believed that having only two conetypes, horses see only in green, yellow,blue, and gray, with no intermediate hues.It is probable that this results in colors appearing as washed-out pastels or sepia,and that horses have difficulties in differentiating orange and blue.\SEEING IT THEIR WAYKnowing what your horse can and cannot see will help you understand whyyour horse reacts the way he does, andhow to best work with those factors. Forexample:%u2022 Objects seen peripherally can be distracting and, coupled with the flight instinct, cause a horse to shy or veer away.That's why some horses wear blinders. Anne Stahl, United States DressageFederation silver and gold medalist(Grand Prix and F%u00e9d%u00e9ration Equestre Internationale levels) and owner/trainer/instructor at Rosehill Farm, a dressagetraining facility, in Northville, Michigan,gives a trainer%u2019s perspective: \begins to lose control when the horse seessomething distracting, so a training program should be designed to encourage ahorse to trust his rider, not what he sees.It's a years-long process of getting thehorse to give up his instinct to protecthimself, to follow our lead and to completely trust us.\- gradually exposing the horse to distractions and helping him through scary situations - along with positive reinforcement,you can help a horse develop trust andconfidence in his rider. %u2022 Be aware of your horse's blind spots.\Dr. Running, \and always let him know you're coming.Keep your hand on him or talk to him, sohe knows where you are.\When hand-feeding a horse, know thathe can smell but might not see what's offered, says Dr. Running. \hands flat, because he might not see yourfingers!\%u2022 Because it takes the horse longer toadjust to changes in lighting, give him several minutes to get used to lightingchanges (i.e., leaving a dim stall and entering a bright arena or paddock or movingfrom well-lighted areas into dim areassuch as a trailer or stall).%u2022 Reduced color distinction means yourhorse might not see some objects quite aswell as you do. Blue and orange, for example, appear as gray.BOTTOM LINE\your horse sees his world, when you tryto put yourself in your horse's place, itmakes you a better rider, and a better and62 Arizona Horse Connection March, 2026Markel has you covered%u2022 Horse mortality%u2022 Farm and ranch%u2022 Equine liabilityarabianhorseinsurance.comfacebook.com/MarkelArabianYour local \IPSTF%u0001insurance specialistsTami George800-231-0670jeta@northlink.comPhyllis LaMalfaLaMalfa Insurance 480-707-3505phyllis.lamalfa@gmail.comLisa SegerLisa Seger Insurance 877-776-8398lisa@lisasegerinsurance.com