Horses can be really good at letting us know exactly how they are feeling. They’re highly social animals, after all.
Understandably, it can take a bit of practice to interpret their body language and decipher what they’re trying to tell us!
Why is their head lowering? Why is their tail swishing? Why are they snorting?
When you can recognise their emotions, you can take better care of your horse. So let’s dive into what every horse owner should know about horse body language.
Understanding horse body language
Signs of a happy horse
Soft, relaxed nostrils and lips indicate a happy horse.
When the horse breathes out through its nostrils and makes a soft, snorting noise, they are feeling good. A relaxed, freely swinging tail is also a positive sign.
You’ll notice that a happy horse has easy-going movements around you, and they seem relaxed when you approach them.
Signs of an angry horse
An angry horse may display few of these key signals:
- Rapidly swishing tail that is jerking fast from side to side or up and down.
- Elevated head with pinned back ears and a gaping mouth.
- Snaking – lowering their head and waving their neck from side-to-side.
- Stamping their feet and pawing the ground intensely.
Signs of a sad horse
A sad or depressed horse will appear sleepy or drowsy, with little motivation or interest to explore their surroundings. They may seem withdrawn, avoiding other horses.
In terms of their body language, sad horses will tend to hold themselves lower, with their head hanging. Their ears, neck and head will often be fixed, not moving much.
Signs of distress in a horse
A horse is good at communicating when they are in distress, especially if you know the signs to look for. These include:
- Pacing the stable or paddock
- Moving away from you when being groomed
- Putting their ears back when a saddle is on, or a girth is being done up
- Not wanting to eat
- Snatching one or more feet away when picking out hooves
- Lifting head high or away when you put a bridle on
- Tossing their head
- Guarding their feed bowl or hay net
- Spooks when being led (with no external, obvious cause)
It’s important to monitor or note down any changes in your horse’s behaviour, especially if the behaviour is new or recurring. This way, you can find and address the root cause of their stress and anxiety.
If your horse is performing these behaviours very frequently, we recommend that you seek further veterinary advice.
Signs that a horse trusts you
There are a few signs that your horse trusts you, including:
- They allow you to approach them
- They accept your touches without reacting
- They follow you or approach you
- They follow your instructions
- They adopt a relaxed posture
- They gently nudge you or lower their head towards you
- They blow air in your face through their nostrils
How to get a horse to trust you
Trust can’t be gained quickly with a horse. It takes quality time and consistent effort to build a connection.
There are a few things you should know about horses so that you can build trust:
1. Horses are highly sensitive: They’re able to sense your mood and can tell if you are tense or anxious. So, make sure to breathe slowly, move slowly and take your time when giving your horse instructions.
2. Horses learn best through repetition: Your behaviour and cues must be consistent, so that your horse knows exactly what you expect from them – every time. This will make them more confident, since they won’t be confused by inconsistent messaging.
3. Horses are social herd animals used to hierarchy: In their herds, horses are used to a dominance hierarchy. A nervous horse is typically looking for guidance and confidence from their owner/rider, so establishing dominance (safely) can reduce a horse’s anxiety.
4. Horses trust you to keep them safe: If you demonstrate spatial awareness to protect them from collisions or from feeling trapped and listen to them when they’re telling you something feels unsafe, they will trust you more.
5. Horses want to feel that they’ve done a good job: Rewards are critical when building trust, telling your horse that they are doing something well. This kind of positive reinforcement training builds confident, enthusiastic horses who want to listen to you and learn.
How to calm a horse
To calm a stressed-out horse, you should remain calm yourself. Horses pick up on your physical cues too, and if your body language shows that you are relaxed and confident, they will feel more relaxed too.
If you have a big event or a travel day coming up, preparation is key. You can give them magnesium or calming supplements up to a few days beforehand to prevent them from becoming overly anxious.
Try to determine the root cause of your horse’s stress or anxiety. For example, having digestive problems or gut health issues could be causing them stress, and they will need supplements to help them.
In terms of general stress relief, make sure that your horse consistently has enough food and water, has a routine, and is being socialised with other horses frequently. These easy practices should minimise most potential stressors.
FAQs about horse body language
How will I know if my horse is bored?
If your horse is bored, they will start acting out and displaying behaviours such as cribbing, weaving, or pawing and kicking. They will appear restless and frustrated if they are not being physically and mentally stimulated enough.
My horse swishes their tail a lot, should I be worried?
It depends on the situation. A slow, relaxed tail swish is normal, but rapid, forceful swishing can indicate irritation, discomfort or stress. It may be a reaction to flies, pain or frustration with an activity.
What does it mean when your horse is cribbing?
Cribbing is when horses bite on a fixed surface and suck in air while pulling back. When your horse is cribbing, it usually means they are stressed, bored or understimulated and looking for an activity to release endorphins and provide mental relief.
Why does my horse push or nudge me?
Nudging can be a sign of affection, curiosity or an attempt to get attention. However, excessive pushing can indicate a lack of respect for personal space, so be mindful of setting clear boundaries.
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