How well can horses see in the dark?

J

Jingleballs

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I don't have a school at my yard but I have a lovely flat area (about 2 acres) that I'm allowed to ride/lunge in.

I've lunged my boy there twice since we moved a few weeks ago but only during the day time.

I'm keen to start getting him fit again so I want to start working him during the week - I have a head torch with about a 30 mtre beam width.

Do you thin lunging in the dark would be ok? How well do horses see in the dark? Do they tend to be spookier? Just trying to work out whether or not this is a good idea or if it will end in disaster!!
 
We used to hack in the dark around the farm when one of mine was coming back into work over winter and had to do "straight lines". We used lots of reflective gear and wore flashing lights more so that we could be found if we got into problems and always went out with my two together. My old boy was always spooky and was a bit worse in the dark but the youngster didn't seem to notice! We tried a headlight bit it totally freaked the old boy out so we just managed! It was either that or wait until the spring until we could start him back in work.
 
I would be lunging at around 6:30 pm so yes total darkness although on a clear night visability is really good.

My horse is not spooky and is very laid back so I'm hoping he'll be ok.

We also have a track around the field that I could ride round - my main worry is that he spots things and I don't and I end up being dragged around the field in the dark!

I have a flashing vest, hi viz vest, hi viz exercise sheet and my high power head torch so hopefully that will be enough.
 
Horses can see in the dark abit better than we can but not amazingly well. saying that once you have been in the dark for a while your eyes will adapt (as will horses) so as long as it is a fairly level, safe area and you take it slowly you should be ok.
 
Should be ok.

Have ridden out loads of times winter evenings - horses don't seem to have a problem. As long as you are sticking to familiar and safe ground of course.
 
They can see better than we can in the dark, if your boy is sensible then give it a go, if hes a bit silly keep pushing and if it carries on just bring him back in and wait till the evenings are lighter
 
I've got caught out on hacks before (all off road I hasten to add) and come back in the dark across fields safely. Ours always seem worse at twilight when the light is neither one thing or another.
 
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