Maddie Knight: How Horses Perceive Colour

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of Maddie Knight, a recent Veterinary Biosciences graduate, who achieved second place in the prestigious 2024 Undergraduate Thesis of the Year Award for her research into equine colour perception.

A Lifelong Passion for Animals

Growing up surrounded by animals, Maddie’s passion was inspired by her father, a Police Dog Handler, and her mother, who worked with Guide Dogs for the Blind. This foundation led Maddie to pursue a career in animal science, combining her love of animals with scientific exploration.

The Award Winning Thesis

Maddie’s research, titled The Impact of Dichromatic Colour Perception on Jumping Performance in Horses, focused on how horses perceive colours and how this affects their behaviour in show jumping. The study found that horses perceive colours differently from humans, particularly in the red-to-yellow spectrum. Maddie discovered that horses performed better when jumping yellow poles compared to red ones, as yellow falls within their visible range while red does not. This research offers practical implications for equine welfare, suggesting that adapting jump colours could improve performance and reduce stress.

The hands-on learning opportunities and research support within the Veterinary Biosciences degree were instrumental in Maddie’s success. This course equips students with the skills to explore critical areas of animal health, welfare, and behaviour, preparing them for impactful careers in animal science.

Looking ahead

Maddie’s hard work has been recognised not only with this award but also through her acceptance into the University of Bristol’s accelerated Veterinary Science program. Her ambition is to become a wildlife vet, focusing on rhino conservation in Africa. Maddie believes the future of animal science lies in technological advancements like AI, which are already transforming sustainable farming and genomics. She hopes to contribute to these developments, particularly in wildlife conservation and combating zoonotic diseases.

Find out more about our Equine and Veterinary Bioscience degrees.