Dancing with Horses: Communication by Body Language

Horses are good at letting us know exactly how they are feeling; the only problem is most people don’t know how to speak “horse.” So here are some tips on reading a horse’s body language.

1.If a horse’s tail is:

High: they are alert or excited

Low: it is a sign of exhaustion, fear, pain or submission

Held high over its back: (as seen in most foals) they are playful or are very alarmed

Swishing: they are irritated.

2.If a horse’s legs are:

Pawing: they are frustrated

One front-leg lifted: can be a mild threat (or a normal stance sometimes when eating)

A back-leg lifted: is often a more defensive threat

Stamping: indicates a mild threat or protest (or they may be getting rid of insects or flies biting their legs).

3.Some horses’ facial expressions include:

Snapping: This is seen in foals showing submission to an older horse. They will open their mouths and draw back the corners, then open and shut their jaws.

Jaws open with teeth exposed: this shows aggression or possible attack.

The Flehmen response: This is caused by an intense or unusual smell, usually in stallions when they sense a mare in heat. They stick their nose in the air and curl the upper lip over their nose.

Flared nostrils: usually means they are excited or alert.

Showing white around the eyes: usually means they are angry or scared. (White around the eyes is also a normal characteristic of the Appaloosa breed.)

4.The horses’ ears are a unique feature:

Neutral: is when the ears are held loosely upward, openings facing forward or outward.

Pricked: ears held stiff with openings pointed directly forward means the horse is alert.

Airplane ears: the ears flop out laterally with openings facing down, usually meaning the horse is tired or depressed.

Drooped ears: hang down loosely to the side, usually meaning tiredness or pain.

Ears angled backward (with openings directed back towards a rider): usually mean attentiveness to the rider or listening to commands.

Ears pinned flat against the neck:  The horse is angry and aggressive!

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