I've heard that before, but I'm not sure exactly how much truth is in it. I realise that because of the position of a horse's eyes in its head that it has a blind spot with things directly infront of it, but I doubt whether they can't see a jump, which is pretty large, from a few strides (unless they're really chucking their head up like some horses do on an approach). Otherwise, how could they jump a bounce fence? I know that I don't jump an awful lot, what with dressage training, but from the times I have jumped I'm pretty sure the horse is locked on the fence right up to take-off.

Still, doesn't lessen the fact that horses are still incredible in every way!