Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

There was an article recently about horse eyesight, saying they are not 
really 20 /20j , but more like 20/80 I think. But they are very attuned to 
movement.
 On occasion, when 'appearing' from a different  area, I get funny alert 
questioning looks with them at attention, till I talk, they they all 
relax.--
 As a matter of fact, I got a weird reaction at dusk from my 3 yr old and 
my mare, they acted like they didn't know what I was, as I hadn't spoken as 
I approached the barn, my mare even shied and moved off, this happened twice 
this week, both times at dusk,(when the same article said horses have a more 
difficult time seeing in the transition) --When I talked, they again 
relaxed, I still was gettin odd reactions for a couple evenings,---then I 
realised what was different--I had bought a waterproof hunting jacket to use 
as a new barn coat--it was a camoflague jacket and I had on a gray polar 
fleece had-- guess they thought I was a walking tree!!!;0)


> From: "Betty Edgar" <betndez@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Diana Anderson" <jojosylvester@xxxxxxxxx>, <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [RC]     Being the herd leader
> Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 21:22:30 -0800
>
> Your removing fly masks when horses are being introduced into the herd is 
> an
> excellent idea based upon an experience I had a few years ago.  Two of the
> geldings in my pasture had been together for a few weeks, were good friends
> and spent considerable time playing together.  Neither had yet worn a fly
> mask that spring.  One day I took the big gray Arab out for a ride and when
> we returned I put a fly mask on him before putting him back to pasture.  
> The
> little chestnut Qhorse attacked him, kicking, squealing, biting  trying to
> drive him from the pasture.  The big gray was not nearly as quick and agile
> as the little Q horse and eventually slammed broadside into the fence.
> Fortunately it was Safe Fence and neither the horse nor the fence were hurt
> but during his scramble to get up and away the Qhorse had got close enough
> that he finally recognized his friend, maybe from smell, and just stood
> there with a rather sheepish look on his face.  I guess the Qhorse
> apologized to the Arab because they trotted off together and remained the
> best of friends.   That indicated to me that horses look at faces for quick
> recognition and I have been careful about the fly mask thing since then.
>
> Betty
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From:  Diana Anderson
>
>   I always remove all fly mask  when a new horse is being introduced onto
> the property and/or into the herd.    Although body language tells alot we
> all know how much we read our horses by their eyes, nose, ears and mouth
> language.
>    Imagine  being  put in a hostile room with everyone wearing a mask.
>   __________________________________________________



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