How Do Horses See the World?

Mad About Horses

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen elaborates in-depth about how horses perceive the world through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Human interactions with horses often rely on understanding these senses, which differ significantly from human sensory perceptions.

Horses have strong monocular vision, wide hearing ranges, and a keen sense of smell. They also possess a sophisticated sense of touch, central to training and bonding, and dichromatic taste perception.

Understanding these sensory capabilities, which evolved over millions of years, is key to forging stronger relationships with these remarkable creatures and promoting their well-being.

Podcast Timeline

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:05 Imagining a Wild Scenario: The Cougar and the Horses

04:10 The Importance of Understanding How Horses Navigate Their Environment

04:56 The Predators Horses Face in Different Regions

06:05 The Importance of Understanding Horse Senses

07:36 The Role of Imagination in Understanding Horses

06:58 The Importance of Sight in Horses

20:05 Understanding the Hearing Sense in Horses

26:53 The Role of Smell and Taste in Horses

32:01 Understanding the Sense of Touch in Horses

36:16 Conclusion and Housekeeping

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast. --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠Instagram @madbarnequine⁠

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