Vision Training For Horse Racing

Horse racing is a much more complex sport than some might think, and many important vision skills play major roles in the racer’s ability to steer him/herself and the horse to victory in the fast-paced world of horse racing.

Sports vision training is customized training that gives athletes a major edge against the competition by improving the specific visual skills needed for the position and sport that they play.

Core Visual Skills

While there are a number of vision skills that are important for horse racers, some are more crucial to performance than others.

Core vision skills for horse racers include:

Balance and Proprioception: The rider’s balance is doubly important during a horse race. Improved balance helps ensure he stays on the horse as it moves along the track, but also, an enhanced ability to manage his/her weight on the horse, to give it the best chance to maintain its speed throughout the race.
Peripheral Awareness: In a race, it’s also important to remain aware of your opponents as they speed along nearby. Improved peripheral awareness will improve this ability, giving a rider a better sense of what he/she needs to do to ensure he emerges victorious.
Timing and Rhythm: Timing is important during a horse race, as the rider needs to know precisely when to alter his position slightly to keep his/her balance correct, to work with his/her horse to achieve the best outcome.
Visual Distance Calculation: In order to know when a particular action must be taken during a race, the rider needs to have an elite ability to calculate distances, whether that is the distance to the finish line, or the distance between another horse and rider that he is trying to catch or are trying to catch him.

Secondary Visual Skills

Secondary visual skills for horse racers aren’t necessarily any less important than core visual skills, though they are not quite as central to what is needed for a horse racer to be successful.

Visual Memory: Visual memory is the vision skill which helps us remember visual input we have seen previously, such as a racing track. Improving this skill both gives a rider more knowledge of the track for a race in a general sense, and gives him improved ability to adapt if there are changes in track conditions, such as from weather.
Visual Spatial Localization: This vision skill grants the ability to act in response to changes in the surrounding environment and to know where one is relevant to other things around. As a result, the rider is better able to respond to the course development and the positioning of other horses and riders around them.

Elevate your level of play and edge out the competition

with Sports Vision Training!

Book an appointment

Dr. Ikeda

Dr. Ikeda, FCOVD, DPNAP, is a leading optometrist in the field of neuro optometric rehabilitation and developmental optometry. He has made profound contributions to the field over the years and uses these expertise to provide the highest quality of eye care to his patients. He was Past-President of the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF) and of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). He received the “Founding Fathers Medal” for his continued service to NORA and he was recognized as “Physician of the Year” by the Rehabilitation Nurses Society. He is a clinical associate professor of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry and was inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner into the National Academies of Practice (Optometry Academy).

Learn More

1 2 3 4 Next »

Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.

Daniel G.

1 2 3 Next »

Blog

picture-focused-serious-young-caucasian-female-teacher-with-textbook-taking-off-glasses-narrowing-eyes-trying-see-something-clearly-student-girl-eyewear-posing-with-diary

Understanding Foggy vision

May 21, 2023

Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the difference! The term foggy vision often refers to a visual disturbance characterized by blurred, cloudy, or hazy vision, which can make seeing clearly challenging. As your local optometrist, we recognize the significance of maintaining optimal […]

Vision Therapy for Nystagmus: Improving Visual Function and Quality of Life

May 14, 2023

According to the National Eye Institute, nystagmus affects approximately 0.24% of the general population in the United States. This means a whopping 720,000 individuals in the US face the challenges of nystagmus. How does Nystagmus Impact Vision? Nystagmus is a condition that affects the eyes, causing involuntary and rapid movements that can make it difficult to […]

Cleaning Your Eyelids With Hypochlorous Acid: The Ultimate Solution for Eyelid Infections and Inflammation From Blepharitis

May 8, 2023

Are you tired of dealing with eyelid inflammation? Well, there's good news for you! Hypochlorous acid, a natural bactericidal compound, has been clinically shown to help fight against various eyelid conditions such as blepharitis, and it's even effective at preventing the development of styes and other eyelid infections. In this blog, we'll be exploring the […]

see all blogs