Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is poor eyesight.  We are all so used to 
our horses being able to spot a bobcat standing still a half a mile away that we 
forget that like people, some horses have better eyesight than others... and 
some have eyesight that is a whole lot worse.

I have a horse that shies at rocks and logs.  I found it interesting that after 
a while, he became familiar with which rocks and logs on our conditioning routes 
were just that and he stopped paying any attention to them.  At the same time he 
continued to shy at much less ominous looking items elsewhere.  Then I noticed 
that about 30 feet away from them he'd stiffen a bit and tilt his head, first 
one way, then another, just like we humans do to try to get a better view of 
something.

The solution to HIS shying was to talk to him.  As the bond between us has grown 
stronger, he has learned to trust me so when I say, "Not to worry Boo.  It's 
just a rock" he relaxes and walks up to it and on by.  If I don't say anything, 
he shies :)

Second clue.  This same horse used to spin and bolt from me in pasture if as I 
got close I lifted my arm up to rub his forehead (he LOVES having his forehead 
scratched).  He doesn't do that any more because as long as he knows it's me, he 
figures that he isn't really seeing a big club coming at him.

Third clue.  Before he and I were close, I would walk right up to him in pasture 
and he wouldn't try to take off.  "Oh look," I thought.  "Boo wants to get 
caught and taken out."  Well, now I'm not so sure.  A horse doesn't "see 
selectively", you know, like some older humans who "hear selectively".  Horses 
are too honest for that.  So if his eyesight wasn't very good, maybe he couldn't 
see the halter.  My other horse could see it just fine and DID take off but Boo 
would just stand there.  BTW, now when I go out I call him and he comes.  He 
DOES want me to take him out NOW but back then... I have doubts :)

So next time you see a log or rock ahead, try to relax and just watch your horse 
to see what he does.  If after a while you begin to suspect he really has 
trouble seeing, start using a stock phrase to tell him not to worry (they DO 
learn words despite what some people think).  If that calms him and stops the 
shies, you'll have a pretty good indication that he is having trouble 
identifying what's lurking on the trail ahead and needs you to tell him what it is.


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