Horses are flight animals. They need their sense of sight to spot enemies as quickly as possible. We therefore sometimes have to battle our favorite's instincts, because a horse sees—and flees.
Horses have (almost) all-round vision. They can see almost 360 degrees without having to move their heads. There is only one blind spot in front of the forehead, which can be important when riding, and another directly behind the tail, which should not be forgotten when handling horses.
The horse's pupil is elongated and oval, which gives it panoramic vision. However, the lateral position of the eyes limits three-dimensional vision. A horse only sees three-dimensionally in a frontal area of about 60 degrees, while its side vision is two-dimensional. When interested in an object, a horse will move it to the appropriate angle and viewing distance to see it clearly. So give your horse enough headroom when working so that it can see better. Show jumpers often demonstrate this clearly. Before a jump, they have to raise their head to focus sharply on the obstacle.
Please note that the signal color for horses is blue. Studies have shown that horses can recognize this color best. For this reason, it is recommended that barriers, trot poles, and obstacles used for training be kept in this color. Horses cannot recognize red. Instead, they see the world like a human with red-green color blindness: yellowish tones, blue, and many shades of gray. This is due to the cones in the retina. Humans have three different types of cones for the colors red, blue, and green. Horses only have blue and green cones.
When horses have to adjust their eyes from light to dark, it takes them a while. We humans are definitely faster at this. This explains certain behaviors of our beloved animals. From the pasture to a dark stable? Horses become insecure. Climbing into a dimly lit horse trailer when the sun is at its highest, or voluntarily walking into a dark treatment room? These are real exercises in trust for a horse.
Seeing details is not that important for horses. As flight animals, they only need to be able to perceive the slightest movements quickly so that they can get away when things get serious. Unfortunately, this means that what was supposed to be a leisurely ride can suddenly become dangerous for our four-legged friend. Things are shaking here, twitching there, enemies are lurking everywhere. The same thing can happen to us in the riding arena. Horses sometimes see ghosts peeking out from behind the fences, unidentifiable objects in the stands, or monsters running from A to B.
Your horse does not require much eye care. On the contrary, the eye is sensitive and should not be constantly wiped. You can remove minor crusts from the corner of the eye with a soft, clean, slightly damp cloth. Always wipe from the eye towards the inner corner of the eye. But that's all you need to do. In summer, a fly veil can help protect the eye from annoying insects.
Reddened conjunctiva, increased tearing, swollen eyelids, and cloudiness are always signs that something is wrong. The eye is a very important sensory organ for your horse. Therefore, be very attentive to changes, but do not experiment. As soon as you notice anything unusual about your horse's eyes, take the animal to your veterinarian.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is currently the most dangerous disease affecting rabbits. It is caused by a virus and causes blood clotting disorders (hemorrhagic = bleeding, causing hemorrhages). It is highly contagious and occurs worldwide in both domestic and wild rabbits. The infectious disease was first described in China in 1984, which is why it is also known as Chinese disease. Young animals and unvaccinated adult animals are particularly at risk.
Many dog owners will be familiar with this condition, which is colloquially referred to as foreskin inflammation. Recurring, yellowish-green, dripping discharge is very common, especially in young, unneutered male dogs.
They are lively, curious, and entertaining, and you will have a lot of fun with a hamster. If you get involved and accept their peculiarities, you can become a really good team. With enough attention for your little darling, nothing should stand in the way of a long, happy hamster life.
Many things are easier when done as a team – this applies to both humans and animals. There are dogs that help people live with disabilities. These dogs are not only special animals, they are also specially trained.
Cats are among the most popular pets, with around 14.7 million living in German households alone and a total of approximately 46 million across Europe. Only about half of them are vaccinated and neutered, and therefore well protected against disease and unwanted reproduction. Many thousands of them roam the countryside as abandoned, stray, or feral cats.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in a dog's mouth. It can develop primarily (on its own) or secondarily as a result of other underlying diseases and can affect only a limited area or the entire mouth. Small dogs and dogs with misaligned teeth are particularly affected.
Tetanus is a usually fatal, notifiable infectious disease caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This disease, also known as lockjaw, has been known since ancient times and is widespread throughout the world. Both humans and horses are particularly susceptible to the toxin, whereas dogs have only a low sensitivity and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.
Some people love it when their pony's coat shines in all its glory and even sparkles here and there. It is groomed and sprayed, the mane is braided, and hardly a hair is out of place. But coat and hoof care is not just a matter of appearance. Regular brushing means much more than that.
Birds groom themselves almost constantly: they clean themselves, sharpen their beaks and bite. But sometimes our feathered friends need a little help.
Horse ears come in different sizes, depending on breed and genetics. They usually feel soft and fluffy – but not every horse likes to have its early warning system touched. If you are a horse owner and your horse lets you stroke its fluffy ears, this is actually a sign that your horse trusts you. The horse's ear is something very special.
Horseback riding is a wonderful hobby, especially with your own horse! When humans and animals form a strong team, you develop a completely different connection than when you are "jumping" from one horse to the next at a riding school. But how can you find happiness with a permanent horse partner if you can't afford to buy your own horse? Or if you can't find the time to devote to a horse on your own? A riding partnership could be the best decision for you and your horse.
