Understanding your horse’s body language

As you spend more time with your horse, you’ll start to notice the subtle ways they communicate. Horses are incredibly expressive animals, and while they may not speak our language, they have their own unique way of telling us how they feel. From postures and gestures to facial expressions and tail movements, your horse’s body language is a window into their emotions and state of mind.

In this guide, we’ll explore some common body signals and what they mean, helping you better understand what your horse is trying to say.

The tail: A telltale sign of emotion

Your horse’s tail can reveal a lot about their mood and intentions. Here’s what different tail positions and movements might mean:

Low: A low-hanging tail often signals exhaustion, fear, pain, or submission.
High: A high tail indicates excitement or alertness.
Held high over the back: This is common in foals and suggests playfulness or alarm.
Swishing: A swishing tail is a clear sign of irritation – your horse might be annoyed or uncomfortable.

Legs: Movements that speak volumes

A horse’s legs aren’t just for galloping – they’re also a key part of their communication. Pay attention to these signals:

Pawing: This often shows frustration or impatience.
One front leg lifted: If your horse is eating, this is a normal stance. However, if they’re not eating, it could be a mild threat.
One back leg lifted: This is typically a defensive threat, so proceed with caution.
Stamping: Stamping can mean a few things – it might be a protest, a mild threat, or simply an attempt to shake off biting insects.

Facial Expressions: The Window to Their Soul

Your horse’s face is incredibly expressive, and understanding their facial cues can help you gauge their emotions:

Snapping: This behaviour, often seen in foals, involves opening and shutting the jaws while drawing back the corners of the mouth. It’s a sign of submission to older horses.
Jaws open with teeth exposed: This is a warning of potential aggression or an impending attack.
Flared nostrils: Flared nostrils indicate excitement or heightened alertness.
White around the eyes: In some breeds, this is normal, but in most horses, it signals fear or anger.

Ears: The ultimate mood indicators

A horse’s ears are like mood radars, constantly shifting to reflect their emotions and focus. Here’s what their ear positions mean:

Neutral: Ears held loosely upward, facing forward or outward, indicate a relaxed and neutral state.
Pricked: Stiff, forward-facing ears show alertness and curiosity.
Flopped out laterally: Ears that flop outward with openings facing down suggest tiredness or distress.
Drooped: Drooped ears are a sign of fatigue or pain.
Angled backward: This is common when riding and usually means your horse is attentive to your commands.
Pinned flat against the neck: Be cautious – this is a clear sign of anger or aggression.

The bigger picture

While individual gestures and movements can provide clues, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. A single signal might mean one thing, but when combined with other postures, vocalisations, or gestures, it can convey a completely different emotion. For example, a swishing tail paired with pinned ears likely indicates irritation or anger, while flared nostrils and pricked ears might show excitement.

Your horse is always communicating – it’s up to us to listen. By paying attention to their body language and behaviour, you’ll be able to respond to their needs, build trust, and create a partnership that’s truly special. After all, the better you understand your horse, the better you can care for them.