Horse Facts Archives - The Horse Life

Horse Vision

Duke — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:08:45 +0000

Understanding the limitations of a horse’s sight

Researched and written by Kevin Parker

Background

As the owner a forward-thinking company, we continually strive to make quality horseboxes that are safer and have increased durability. This safety-first approach is aimed at avoiding problems and reducing stress.

Our first topic deals with colours and finishes and surprisingly, this is a commonly overlooked area.

Hopefully, this will be something horse owners will find insightful and interesting.

Characteristics and defining behaviour of horses

1. Consider that horses’ eyes are among the largest of any land mammal and that they have a range of vision of around 350°, with approximately 65° of this being binocular vision and the remaining 285° monocular vision.

2. Horses have a blind spot of anywhere less than 90 to 120 cm directly ahead. They need to lower their heads to focus on closer objects.

3. Horses are very sensitive to motion, as motion is usually the first alert that a predator is approaching. Such motion is usually first detected in their periphery, where they have poor visual acuity, and horses will usually act defensively and run if something suddenly moves into their peripheral field of vision.

4. Research indicates that their colour vision is somewhat like red-green colour blindness in humans, in which certain colours, especially red and related colours, appear greener.

5. Studies have shown that horses are less likely to knock a rail down when the jump is painted with two or more contrasting colours, rather than one single colour.

6. It is especially difficult for horses to distinguish between yellows and greens.

7. Horses are less able to adjust to sudden changes of light such as when moving from bright daylight into a darker area.

Designing the horse area in our horseboxes

We looked in depth at lighting and the first change across our models was swapping the internal running lights to a very calming green (they come on with sidelights). Horses are very happy with green and anything that reduces stress is most definitely desirable.

Looking at the horse area colours, we minimised these to white, black, and silver. Ideally, we would have chosen green Coat-X for the ramp and horse area floor. We did test this colour intending to improve loading. It looked great and the testing showed promising results, however, areas in full sun faded with UV light and although colour fixed variants are available, the cost was prohibitive. For the present we opted for black Coat-X to match other finishes and to keep colours to a minimum.

For loading ease and extra safety, we already use the minimum step up onto the ramp, and from the ramp to the horse area. To highlight these changes of surface or height for the horse, we finish these areas in stainless steel as it contrasts well with the black Coat-X. Additionally, stainless steel adds massively to durability and over time, to safety. Horses can clearly see the demarcation between the floor/ramp and ramp/horse area.

Reflections when loading can be problematic if they pop up in the peripheral field of vision. For the loading doors, we decided to swap all shiny finishes to a mat black Coat-X finish. This black finish extends to everything in the horse area below breast height. This is a change where the effect is extremely hard to judge, hopefully it is one that just works in the background!

The main lighting in the horse area was another consideration and we have moved the lighting behind the horses to reduce glare, stress, and the chance of spooking.

On some of our models we even fit discreet down-lighting above the ramp for easy loading.

Food for thought….

Do the horses need to see so clearly outside?
Do clear windows add or remove stress?
Would opaque glass work better?
Does the tint or colour of the glass have an effect?
Do any sudden movements of passing vehicles have an effect?

Windows are a topic where we are still collating feedback from our customers. Windows add light and ventilation but are we just following what has gone before without questioning why!

These questions are hard to judge without first hand observation.

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The 25 Most Popular Horse Names (With Meanings)

Duke — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:18:43 +0000

Introduction

Horse names can be a fun and naming a horse can be a creative process, but also difficult to come up with the perfect name. If you’re feeling stuck, then you’ve come to the right place. This list contains the 25 most popular horse names, sorted by category.

Each name on this list is accompanied by its meaning, origin, and a brief description. While some of these names are perfect for a specific type of horse, others can be used for any horse – no matter what its breed, colour, or personality.

So, whether you’re looking for a regal name for a), a name that reflects your horse’s personality, or just a name that sounds good, you’re sure to find the perfect option on this list.

Top 25 Horse Names:

While the right horse name can be just the right fit, the wrong one may be difficult to shake off. To make finding the perfect name easier, these are the 25 most popular horse names, sorted by category.

Names for Stallions:

If you have a stallion, you’ll want to choose a name that shows off his strength and power. Popular names for stallions include Prince, Apollo, Duke, and Lex.

Names for Geldings:

Geldings are usually more obedient, even-tempered, and gentle. That’s why popular names for geldings include Titan, Snowman, Teddy, and Shadow.

Names for Mares:

Mares are often strong-willed, difficult to control, and beautiful. Popular names for mares include Dolly, Jax, Velvet, and Rhapsody.

Names for Draft Horses:

Draft horses are known for their size and strength. Popular names for draft horses include Rory, Ferdinand, Maxwell, and Magnus.

Names for Gaited Horses:

Gaited horses are known for their smooth gaits and often have unique names to reflect this. Popular names for gaited horses include Sapphire, Cloudy, Liberty, D’artagnan, and Whisper.

General Names for Any Horse:

If you’re looking for a name that can be used for any type of horse, then consider one of these names. Popular general names for any horse include Cowboy, Speckles, Angel, and Spirit.

Definitions and Meanings:

Each of the names on the list is accompanied by its meaning, origin, and a brief description. For instance, Prince translates as “first born son” in Latin, is of French origin, and is perfect for a regal stallion. Apollo is of Greek origin, and its meaning is “manly”; this name is often used for a powerful draft horse. Teddy, on the other hand, is of German origin and has the meaning of “God’s gift”. This name is great for a gentle, well-behaved gelding. Dolly, of Welsh origin, means “heart” and it is perfect for a strong-willed mare. Sapphire is of Latin origin and its meaning is “blue”; this is a perfect choice for a beautiful gaited horse. Cowboy has the meaning of “free thinker” and is a great choice for any type of horse.

Conclusion:

Naming a horse can be a difficult and creative process, but this list of the 25 most popular horse names make the task much easier. Each of these names is accompanied by its meaning, origin, and a brief description, making it easy to pick the perfect name for your horse. Whether you’re looking for a regal name for a stallion or a name that reflects your horse’s personality, this list has it all!

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10 Facts about the Queen and her horses

Duke — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 11:46:19 +0000

I think it’s fair to say that lockdown has been challenging for most, however it was reported that the Queen has been riding everyday. That gave me *riding goals* and also inspired me to create this list of facts about her and her horses.

1) Queen Elizabeth II has been riding since she was 4 years old, when her father King George VI gave her a Shetland pony named Peggy.

2) Actually if you think about it the Royals are quite a horsey bunch. The Queen Mother was an avid National Hunt Racing fan, Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Phillips both became top event riders and the Princes William and Harry both play polo.

3) All the horses that you see in the royal parades are kept at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, “one of the finest working stables in existence.” The Queen names each horse that lives there.

4) The Royal Mews is where they keep all the carriages, coaches and cars used by the Queen. It is also where the palace staff and their families live. However you will only find only 2 types of horse there, Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, the Windsor Greys draw the carriages for the Queen and the royal family and are called Windsor Greys because in Victorian times they were kept at Windsor. The Cleveland Bays are used to pick up high commissioners and ambassadors visiting the Queen.

5) The Queen is famous for always riding without a helmet. (Not something I would ever recommend by the way). Apparently the staff at Windsor Castle joke that “the only thing that comes between the Queen and her heir is her Hermes scarf”.

6) The Queen owns many racehorses, having initially inherited the breeding and racing stock from her father King George VI.

7) As of 2013, horses owned by the Queen have won over 1600 races. She has had winners in all of the British Classics except the Epsom Derby.

8) USA Today reported that the Queen has actually made $9.3 million from her race winnings.

9) Monty Roberts AKA The Horse Whisperer has trained the Queens horses since 1989. He has been honoured by the Queen and is a honorary member of the Royal Victorian Order. They have shared a close friendship since he began training her horses. She even named a Corgi after him.

10) The Queen breeds Throughbreds, fell ponies, Shetland ponies and Highland ponies.

Do you know any other facts about the Queen and her horses I haven’t mentioned? Get in touch if you do!

Author – Louise Dando

References for this article:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9290353/Diamond-Jubilee-wont-let-health-and-safety-mess-up-hair-majesty.html

www.google.fr/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/400888002

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