Have horses got good night vision?

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tangoharvey

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Had the vet last night to jab my mare with soething to stop mites in her back legs (she mite have them, excuse the pun). Anyway, vet was late and by the time he went it was dark. I had to put my mare out with the herd, but this involved walking in pitch black through a 15 acre field to get to the field I have to put her in. I could hardly see and relied on Nancy to guide me over, so was brill and walking with her in the dark was ace, her surefottedness and gentle breathing reassuring me as I stumbled alongside her. So I was wondering, have they got better night vision than us humans, or could she simply smell her way to her friends??
 
I don't know the medical answer, but my experience is yes, horses have excellent night vision.

For many years I used to keep the rabbit numbers down on a few local paddocks. Rabbits are always out in larger numbers at night, so I bought a night vision scope for my rifle and off I went.

It was a disaster. Every paddock I visited, one or two of the horses would see me and not being used to having me about at night, they would come over to investigate, scaring all the rabbits as they walked. No matter where I went, or how I disguised myself, they always saw me and came to say hello.

This obviously pleased the rabbits, as I never got so much as one shot off, and shortly after I sold the night scope to a guy who had to do the same job on a golf course.
 
Yes, they have excellent night vision, much better than humans'. Something to do with having more cones than rods in their eyes iirc (unlike us, we have 50/50 balance of the 2 i think), so their colour vision isn't as vivid, but they see better in the dark. The size of their eyes must help too.
I've been xc in failing light (unavoidable in that case) and horse wasn't affected by it at all.
 
yes they do - steeplechasing was originally run under a full moon on a course that was church steeple to church steeple. I also had one incredibly hairy lesson where my instructor was trying to get me to stop setting up (OK interfering) with my mare into a line of fences (mare knew much more than I did!). Ended up jumping in twilight to prove to me I had to wait for my mare - can't say I enjoyed the experience but it did teach me my lesson!
 
I thought they did, but my oldie has terrible night vision. I guess it's his age :(. He must be able to make out shapes cos he's spooky as hell, even when I can see it's not scary (so he should be able to as well).
 
When I lived in Andalucia I helped train a friend's endurance arabs. It is so hot down there during the day that we used to train at night (from 10pm until the wee small hours). We rode up to 30 km a night up and down mountains on steep, rock ridden trails with sheer drops to the side, either by moonlight or in the pitch black. Trotting or cantering all the way.

I'm pretty sure his horses had good night vision, because most of the time my eyes were tightly shut.....
 
Yes, horses, as most mammals, have excellent night vision. Us humans don't though.
 
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