Mirrors for Horses – and Riders!

Mirrors for horses are nothing new, and they have time and time again proved their worth in a variety of equestrian situations. From horse stable mirrors to dressage mirrors, it’s suggested that these mirrors can help to calm horses, on top of their rider performance benefits. We investigated how effective horse mirrors actually are.

Horse mirrors can be placed in stables, arenas, and horse transport. With special safety features, these specially designed mirrors are built to withstand force from horses and bumpy roads.

Mirrors for Horse Health

Research suggests horses benefit greatly from mirrors when isolated from the herd. Mirrors have been shown to reduce signs of stress, making horses feel more comfortable in their environment.

However, many of the research studies have used mirrors as a new addition in the horse’s life. This means, that when noticing their reflection, horses may be fooled into thinking that another horse is nearby. As a herd animal, this mimics protection from the herd, and calms them down during times of isolation.

However, many owners notice that beneficial effects begin to wear off, or that mirrors don’t work at all! On the other hand, mirrors are a form of horse entertainment, with some exploring the mirror and investigating how they can make the reflection move using their own body.

But why do mirrors work to calm some horses and not others?

Horse Mirrors for Rider Performance

Many riders use mirrors in the arena to check on their position in the saddle. Recent research suggests that mirrors can enhance sporting performance when without coach guidance. It is suggested that mirrors work due to them prompting internal or external focus.

Internal focus using mirrors is prompted by a self-conscious response. It makes people conscious of their movements and helps to make corrections.

External focus may be a tactic more experienced riders adopt when using mirrors. Having an external focus may help riders to self-organise in an automatic manner and perform the task without conscious control. Muscle memory will come into play, helping to perfect the correct riding position. Meanwhile, there may also be a more natural composition of motor commands, helping suppleness and comfort in the saddle.

Horse Mirrors: The Research

A 2021 study became one of the first pieces of evidence to report that horses were able to recognise their reflection in the mirror.

Fourteen horses were used in a 4-phases mirror test. Day one of the 4-phase test consisted of the horses looking at a covered mirror. This helped them to get used to the environment and objects in their surroundings.

Progressing onto day 2, the mirror was placed in the testing area and horses were free to investigate at their own will. On the third and fourth day, odourless marks were placed on the horses’ face and the mirror was free for investigation throughout. This is called a ‘mark’ test. Researchers use a “mark test” to evaluate whether animals can recognise if the marks on their own face or the reflective surface.

During this investigation, researchers found that horses engaged in inquisitive behaviours with the mirror, such as looking behind it, and several tongue and head movements. In addition, they used the mirror to guide their movement toward coloured marks on their cheeks. This suggests that the horse could recognise themselves in the mirror.

In comparison to non-coloured marks, horses spent longer stretching their face when coloured marks were placed on their cheeks. This finding suggests the horses were working off of visual information, rather than the sensory information of touch. This further suggests horses ability to recognise themselves in reflective surfaces.

Older research suggests long-term mirror use to be effective at reducing stable vices, such as weaving. They suggested that is may be due to miming company, but did not rule out the role of distraction either. With this new and compelling research, the role of mirrors in distraction from environmental stressors may be the cause for their efficacy in some horses.

Horse Mirrors – The Verdict

Mirrors can be very useful for both novice and advanced riders, helping to guide position or promote a more natural way of movement in the saddle.

For horses, when used intermittently they may work to prove a sense of security. However, as horses have been shown to be able to recognise their reflections, use of mirrors for distraction or entertainment purposes may be more beneficial for horse mental wellbeing. Mirrors will be more effective for some horses than others.