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Understanding your horse’s body language is key to successful horse to human connection. Knowledge of how your horse communicates, will make it easier to train, care for and enjoy your four legged friend.
How do horses communicate?
Unfortunately horses cannot talk like you and I, therefore connect through a combination of vocal cues, physical acts and body language. However, when looking at horse-human communication, body language is the method that is most relied upon. Body language cues include movements of the ears, eyes, tail, and general attitude of the horse.
Horse Communication Methods
Horses communicate both through vocal cues and body language. Some horses will use vocal cues more than others, sometimes communicating with other horses and other times communicating with you. You may have heard a whinny when making their food or neighing to come in from the field. While an understanding of your horse’s vocal cues can provide you an obvious insight into their mind, body language is often a better way to gauge what they are thinking or feeling.
Take time with your own horse as each and everyone is different and will display unique body language cues. Because of this, it is crucial to take the time needed to learn your horse’s signals. Once you understand this you will developing a greater ability to care for and create a stronger bond.
Communication with Humans
Horses can show their emotions and feelings via vocal cues, body language or physical acts. Examples of body language would include changing in ear direction and facial expressions. Physical acts may be kicking the door around food time or pawing at the floor if bored or wanting attention. Many times, you will find that your horse begins to associate certain tasks or movements that you make with a treat or activity and will normally perform in a certain way. This can be encouraged or discouraged depending on the behaviour.
Do they talk to other horses?
With other horses they will normally communicate with their ears and eyes, vocal cues are also often used. Especially in the wild, horses also rely on body language to convey amongst themselves.
What to look for?
Quick signs to look for:
- Illness – if a horse is reserved, quiet or dull compared to normal, this may be a sign that he/she is unwell. Obvious ‘sad’ looking eyes and reluctance to eat may be a clear indicator.
- Injury – If injured some horses may act unusually aggressive or grumpy when protecting the aggravated area. When riding this might become particularly apparent as the extra weight and intensity may inflict more pain than walking or stabled. Odd behaviours and movements can be further examined once you spot them. Knowing your horse’s behaviour is imperative as he/she may be communicating pain, ignoring these signals could cause further pain or injury to yourself.
- Stress – Within stressful situations horses will normally raise their head and heighten their body, as a natural flight animal they may try and escape the situation. Often, with ears pointed forward, heavy breathing, snorting and whites of the eyes may be seen.
- Anger – Horses rarely show aggression to humans naturally, they might act aggressively to other horses. Body language may include ears pinned back, tense muscles and whites of eyes. If this situation worsens the horse might threaten to warn the other horses or kick/bite each other.
- Relaxed and Happy – Horses when content will be calm with ears resting, sometimes they have a droopy lip and normally resting or led down, if this is the normal you will realise if a change in state.
Like any relationship, a successful horse-human relationship is built on effective communication and trust. Sometimes this does take time but knowing the signs will help you to develop a strong relationship and provide better care.