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Applied animal behaviour science2020; 222; 104882; doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104882

Horse vision and obstacle visibility in horseracing.

Abstract: Visual information is key to how many animals interact with their environment, and much research has investigated how animals respond to colour and brightness information in the natural world. Understanding the visibility of features in anthropogenic environments, and how animals respond to these, is also important, not least for the welfare and safety of animals and the humans they co-exist with, but has received comparatively less attention. One area where this is particularly pertinent is animal sports such as horseracing. Here there is a need to understand how horses see and respond to obstacles, predominantly fences and hurdles, as this has implications for horse and rider safety, however obstacle appearance is currently designed to human perception. Using models of horse colour and luminance (perceived lightness) vision, we analysed the contrast of traditional orange markers currently used on fences from 11 UK racecourses, and compared this to potential alternative colours, while also investigating the effect of light and weather conditions on contrast. We found that for horses, orange has poor visibility and contrast against most surroundings. In comparison, yellow, blue, and white are more conspicuous, with the degree of relative contrast varying with vegetation or background type. Results were mostly consistent under different weather conditions and time of day, except for comparisons with the foreground turf in shade. We then tested the jump responses of racehorses to fences with orange, fluorescent yellow, bright blue, or white takeoff boards and midrails. Fence colour influenced both the angle of the jump and the distances jumped. Bright blue produced a larger angle of takeoff, and jumps over fluorescent yellow fences had shorter landing distances compared to orange, with bright blue fences driving a similar but non-significant trend. White was the only colour that influenced takeoff distances, with horses jumping over white fences having a larger takeoff distance. Overall, our results show that current obstacle coloration does not maximise contrast for horse vision, and that alternative colours may improve visibility and alter behavioural responses, with the ultimate goal of improving safety and welfare.
© 2019 The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2020-02-07 PubMed ID: 32025069PubMed Central: PMC6988441DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104882Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research analyses horse vision to understand its impact on horse racing, particularly regarding how they see and react to racing obstacles like fences and hurdles. It reveals that current obstacle colors including orange do not maximise visibility from a horse’s perspective, and proposes alternative colors like yellow, blue, and white which show potential for better visibility and safety.

Understanding Horse Vision and Obstacle Visibility

The research delves into the pivotal role of visual information in interaction between animals and their environment. The principal focus of the study is how this concept relates to horse racing, a sport entailing navigating various physical obstacles. Understanding the visibility and response to such obstacles has direct implications on ensuring the horse and jockey’s safety. The lack of previous in-depth exploration in this area provides the premise for this research.

  • Models of horse color were used alongside luminance vision to analyse the contrast of orange markers presently used on fences in 11 UK racecourses.
  • The researchers also analyzed how alternative colors could enhance the visibility of these markers and the potential influence of different weather conditions on contrast.

Research Findings on Contrast and Visibility

The research findings suggest that from a horse’s perspective, the color orange is not optimally visible against many backgrounds. Other colors such as yellow, blue, and white are more conspicuous to the horses.

  • The contrast of these colors varies depending on the type of background or vegetation present.
  • The results remained consistent under most weather conditions and times of the day, with only a few exceptions noted for comparisons with foreground turf in shade.

Impact of Fence Colour on Jump Responses

Additional testing involved the evaluation of racehorses’ jump responses to fences of varied colors: orange, fluorescent yellow, bright blue, or white.

  • It was found that the color of the fence impacted both the angle of the jump and the distance jumped.
  • Bright blue fences led to a larger angle of takeoff whereas jumps over fluorescent yellow fences resulted in shorter landing distances compared to orange.
  • White was the only color that affected takeoff distances, with horses jumping over white fences demonstrating a larger takeoff distance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, current obstacle coloration in horse racing does not maximize visibility for horse vision, potentially endangering the safety and welfare of the horse and rider. The use of alternative colors like yellow, blue, and white may improve visibility, alter jump responses, and ultimately enhance safety conditions in the sport.

Cite This Article

APA
Paul SC, Stevens M. (2020). Horse vision and obstacle visibility in horseracing. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 222, 104882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104882

Publication

Applied animal behaviour science
ISSN: 0168-1591
NlmUniqueID: 8504276
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 222
Pages: 104882
PII: 104882

Researcher Affiliations

Paul, Sarah Catherine
  • Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
Stevens, Martin
  • Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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