Horses and humans are both mammals, so there can’t be that many differences, can there? Well, that’s a bit of a misconception! In fact, there are loads of things that horses can do but humans can’t, but there are plenty of things the other way round too!

Horses CAN see well in the dark

This is because they have a kind of reflective layer, the tapetum lucidum, in their eyes, which reflects light back through the retina. They also have a larger pupil, allowing more light to enter, and a relatively large number of cells in their eyes that function well, even in low light! However, it does take horses longer to adapt to sudden changes in light intensity.

Horses CANNOT breathe through their mouths

This is because their soft palate separates the mouth from the airway, preventing air from passing from the mouth into the windpipe. The epiglottis, a small flap in their throat, helps protect the airway when they swallow. This does not mean, however, that they cannot choke, as this can certainly happen to horses.

Horses CAN get sunburned

It is mainly the pigment, which is more abundant in dark areas that protects a horse from sunburn. This means that the lighter areas on a horse, such as the face or the pasterns, where horses often have white markings, burn most quickly, and light-coloured horses are at greater risk of sunburn.

Horses CANNOT see all colours

Horses have what is known as dichromatic vision: they have only two types of colour-sensitive cones, whereas humans typically have three. Just like most people with colour blindness, they are therefore unable to distinguish between red and green very well. However, they can recognise shades of yellow, blue and grey quite well.

Horses CAN turn grey

Of course, grey horses do become whiter as they get older, but older horses also develop grey hairs, just as humans do. The eyes, ears and nose are particularly common areas for grey hairs, but they can also appear in other parts of the coat.

Horses CANNOT vomit

They have a very powerful muscle at the entrance to the stomach, which does not open, even when there is high pressure in the stomach. The reason for this is unclear, particularly given that many other mammals are able to vomit, but one possible explanation is that horses generally know very well which plants they can and cannot eat.

Horses DO have a very good memory

Studies show that horses continue to recognise a person they know well for years, even if they haven’t seen each other for a long time. They are also surprisingly good at remembering places and other horses.

Did you know all those facts? Or was there one in there that really surprised you?