Horses see the world in a similar way to us, says research
Equines have similar visual perception to humans and other mammals, according to a recent study.
Three ponies, Ponyo, Nemo and Thomas, were involved in the project.
A computer-controlled touch screen system was used to examine their visual recognition abilities, particularly around size and shape.
The trio were shown different shapes on the screen and when they tapped their muzzles on the “correct” answer, which had been previously chosen by researchers, they received a piece of carrot as a reward.
Results were compared to those from studies of the vision of chimps, humans and dolphins.
The findings implied that the four mammals thought the same sort of shapes were similar.
“It’s remarkable that mammals, even with these differences in physical appearance and living environments, evolved to have the same sort of visual perception,” said lead researcher Masaki Tomonaga of Kyoto University.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“In terms of shape discrimination, horses exhibited perceptual similarities among shapes with curvatures, vertical or horizontal lines and diagonal lines.
“Horses were able to make out a difference of 14% in circle size, but showed worse discrimination thresholds than chimpanzees and humans.”
The research, published in November, was carried out by Mr Tomonaga, Kiyonori Kumazaki, Florine Camus, Sophie Nicod, Carlos Pereira and Tetsuro Matsuzawa.
The team from Japan and France now hope to explore how these animals interpret what they see.
For more information visit: rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/11/11
Ref: H&H 21/01/16
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.