What do the ears say?
The position and movement of a horse’s ears are a great indicator of where a horse’s attention is directed. But mostly, it can signal a horse’s mood – good and bad. We teach our Ambassadors to watch the ears when they are taking care of our Rescues. This is what a horse’s ear positions mean:
- Ears perked all the way forward: alert and interested in what’s in front of them.
- One ear turned back and the other up: Something is behind the horse and they may split their focus and turn one ear backwards to listen out for anything interesting.
- Ears pinned back to their head: a major warning sign that the horse is NOT happy! They often pin their ears at other horses to tell them “get away.” The other horse will move without a sound being made by either horse.
- Ears to the side: relaxed and not worried, just enjoying life.
- Ears pointing behind them but not flat: focused on what’s behind them, such as listening to the rider or listening to the wind. This happens a lot when you approach them from behind. They can hear you and smell you, but only turn their head if they sense danger.
What do the legs say?
A horse’s leg position can tell you a lot about what they’re thinking and feeling!
- When a horse stands with all four legs evenly on the ground, they’re usually feeling relaxed and happy – this is their “normal” stance.
- If you see a horse lifting one back leg slightly off the ground, they might be feeling a bit uncomfortable or sore in that leg.
- When a horse points their front legs forward, they’re often alert and interested in something they see or hear.
- A horse that’s pawing at the ground with a front leg is typically bored, impatient, or anxious – kind of like when people tap their feet!
- If you notice your horse constantly shifting weight from one leg to another, they might be dealing with some pain or discomfort – time to call the vet.
- During a relaxed moment in the pasture, a horse that stands with one back leg cocked (resting on the toe) is showing you they’re totally chilled out.
- But watch out – a horse standing with all legs stiff and braced might be feeling nervous or scared about something in their environment.
What do the eyes say?
A horse’s eyes serve as windows into their emotional state, offering a wealth of information to those who know how to read these subtle cues.
- The gentle brown orbs, positioned on either side of their head, allow for nearly 360-degree vision, revealing their prey animal nature and constant vigilance.
- When a horse’s eyes soften, with relaxed lids and a calm gaze, they communicate trust and contentment in their environment.
- Conversely, wide eyes with visible whites (often called “whale eye”) signal fear or anxiety, a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.
- The direction of their focus offers insights into what has captured their attention, as they may prick their ears toward the same point of interest.
- Rapidly blinking eyes might indicate confusion or processing of new information, while a steady, unwavering stare could suggest either intense focus or potential challenge.
- Their pupils dilate in response to both dim lighting and emotional arousal, expanding dramatically when the horse experiences fear or excitement.
- Even the moisture level matters – dry, dull eyes might signal fatigue or illness, while bright, clear eyes typically reflect good health and alertness.
- When both eyes move in coordination to track your movement, it demonstrates their engagement and interest in your presence, a foundation for meaningful connection.
