❄️How Eyes Cause Your Horse To Grow A Winter Coat.

Natural Horse NZ
4 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Hidden inside your horse’s eyes is one of nature’s most remarkable winter survival secrets. 👀✨

🤔 Most of us know winter is on its way when our horses suddenly start looking like a 4 legged version of Chewbacca… but did you know the signal to start growing your horse’s winter coat actually begins in their eyes? 🧸❄️

❤️ I honestly think this is one of the most incredible adaptations horses have because they don’t actually detect winter itself. They detect the shortening length of the day, known as photoperiod, and that simple change in daylight tells their body it’s time to begin preparing for winter.

👀 Hidden within your horse’s eyes are specialised light-sensitive cells called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). I know that’s a bit of a mouthful, but unlike the rods and cones that allow your horse to see the world around them, these remarkable cells have a completely different job.

☀️ They measure the length of the day.

🌅 As the days gradually become shorter after the summer solstice, these cells detect the change in daylight and send signals to your horse’s suprachiasmatic nucleus – the brain’s biological clock.

🧠 This, in turn, influences the pineal gland to alter the production of the hormone melatonin, triggering a cascade of hormonal changes throughout the body that begin preparing your horse for winter, including the gradual growth of their winter coat. 🍂🐴

🤯 Now how totally amazing is that!!!

🌍 Fifty-five million years of evolution has produced such wondrous adaptations to help equines get through the coldest of winters.

💙 I honestly don’t think horses will ever stop amazing me. They truly are one of nature’s most incredible masterpieces. ❤️🐴