When you see a seemingly ordinary, mundane object which has a regular function in daily life your horse could be seeing something completely different, causing him to have a complete freak out. Let’s just pray you’re not in the middle of your dressage test.
Which of these nine everyday sights does your horse hate with a passion?
1. What you see: a plastic bag for life
What your horse sees: a terrifying flappy thing hiding in the hedge waiting to pounce as I go past. It puffs up its body and makes loud noises when the wind blows. Not going past that. Not a chance.
2. What you see: the show secretary’s tent
What your horse sees: a HUGE terrifying-flappy thing which isn’t even hidden away in the hedge, it’s just standing there ready to get me as I go past. Again, not a chance.
3. What you see: a puddle of water, no more than four inches deep
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What your horse sees: a swirling lake of death which will kill me if I step in it. Let me dance on the spot for a bit before going round.
4. What you see: a traffic cone, which has been knocked over
What your horse sees: absolutely fine with this when it’s stood up but this one — due to some sort of witchcraft — has fallen to the ground. I am now wary of why it has suddenly changed its position. I must be on guard in case it pounces.
5. What you see: a class of spotted miniature ponies (or donkeys)
What your horse sees: what are these tiny beasts and why are they socialising with us?
6. What you see: a rosette (or a sash)
What your horse sees: don’t you dare thrust that bright red monster behind my ears so I can’t see what it’s doing. And what is that scarf? I don’t wear those.
7. What you see: a cyclist
What your horse sees: that could be me (looking at the bicycle) if the robots have their way and take over.
8. What you see: a new water bucket for the stable
What your horse sees: change. I don’t like or approve of change.
9. What you see: a pram
What your horse sees: a tiny human strapped into a tiny four-wheeled monster, which is definitely going to eat me.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
