White is the new Orange

[Trouper]

It seems those clever scientist folk have decided that horses see white better than orange and racecourses will be changing the fence boarding colour, starting with Stratford racecourse. White has been chosen in preference to other colours trialled.

Anything which helps race safety is great - just can't help wondering if those of us who have sat patiently while their horse decides if the white-painted speed sign painted on the road is going to kill them or not, might have been able to give them a quick shortcut to the final colour choice.?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Interesting. At our local RC back when I was involved, long time ago, we had a small filler, 3 pieces, painted in green and orange. It was only about 2' high but the amount of refusals by horses that hadn't seen it before was amazing. We put it down to the colour. The only other filler that caused as much trouble was a tiny wall painted black. Think horses thought it was a ditch. I would guess the orange blends into the green so they can't see the take off point. I do hope the change helps prevent accidents.

 

[Birker2020]

It seems those clever scientist folk have decided that horses see white better than orange and racecourses will be changing the fence boarding colour, starting with Stratford racecourse. White has been chosen in preference to other colours trialled.

Anything which helps race safety is great - just can't help wondering if those of us who have sat patiently while their horse decides if the white-painted speed sign painted on the road is going to kill them or not, might have been able to give them a quick shortcut to the final colour choice.?

I've known for years that the colours horse find hard to see are browns, reds and oranges. Not exactly new science lol

Friends horse years ago used to always stop or have down red pole fences, never had problems at any other fence but red poles were a big no no for him.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Mine can spot a carrot in your hand from half way across a field....

 

[cauda equina]

I've known for years that the colours horse find hard to see are browns, reds and oranges. Not exactly new science lol

I'm surprised horses find it hard to see brown and orange when so many are brown or orange themselves; it's surely to their advantage to be able to spot other members of their species

 

[Rowreach]

I remember quoting some research on this on a thread here, must be a few years ago now, when they'd already started experimenting with white boards instead of orange. The research must have been pretty exhaustive

 

[Crollaz]

i know they defo see white we have a lot of building work going on around our fields at the moment and with all the winds the polystyrene flew into the fields when we put our girls out they were having none of it at about half a mile away!! I had another horse that we used to hack past a house with white stones outside he used to run past snorting was having none of these white monsters

 

[Birker2020]

I'm surprised horses find it hard to see brown and orange when so many are brown or orange themselves; it's surely to their advantage to be able to spot other members of their species

Just got this off google, but I remember reading an article saying they struggled with brown and orange colours years ago in one of the horse magazines, Your Horse or Horse & Rider.