Sunlight and Eye Damage

HairyHorse · 03-10-08, 10:44 AM

Human eyes can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially in the early years. It can lead to cataracts.

I never considered it before but what is the risk to horses eyes from strong sunlight? Do they take care of themselves well enough, changing position to avoid discomfort?

mimi31 · 03-28-08, 11:20 AM

I never really thought of this before, either. It seems like sunlight shoudln't be damaging to a horse's eyes. If you think about it really they were made to be outdoors and always lived that way until people started catching them to use for work, pleasure riding, etc.

MorganManiac · 03-29-08, 09:38 AM

Don't horses have an inner membrane that humans don't to protect their eyes? I think I have read about something like this. Most animals have protections built into there bodies that humans do not have. Plus animals eyes may operate somewhat different than humans as to processing the light but I'm not sure on that. It stands to reason, though, since most don't see all the colors that we do.

HairyHorse · 03-29-08, 03:13 PM

Whilst they are meant to be outdoors yes, they are not in their natural environment when kept by humans. They are taken away from what they would know naturally and so may not have the same kind of shelter as they would normally take-and hence my question.

03-10-08, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
HairyHorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 50	Sunlight and Eye Damage Human eyes can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially in the early years. It can lead to cataracts. I never considered it before but what is the risk to horses eyes from strong sunlight? Do they take care of themselves well enough, changing position to avoid discomfort?

03-29-08, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
MorganManiac Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 75	Aren't horses eyes more protected? Don't horses have an inner membrane that humans don't to protect their eyes? I think I have read about something like this. Most animals have protections built into there bodies that humans do not have. Plus animals eyes may operate somewhat different than humans as to processing the light but I'm not sure on that. It stands to reason, though, since most don't see all the colors that we do.

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03-28-08, 11:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
mimi31 Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Location: NY Posts: 50	I never really thought of this before, either. It seems like sunlight shoudln't be damaging to a horse's eyes. If you think about it really they were made to be outdoors and always lived that way until people started catching them to use for work, pleasure riding, etc.

03-29-08, 03:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
HairyHorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 50	Whilst they are meant to be outdoors yes, they are not in their natural environment when kept by humans. They are taken away from what they would know naturally and so may not have the same kind of shelter as they would normally take-and hence my question.