Horses are highly expressive animals. They show how they’re feeling not just through vocalisation, but with their entire body, from the flick of an ear to a swish of the tail. But how well do we humans actually understand what they’re trying to tell us?

For those who spend time around horses, it can feel like second nature to pick up on their moods. Years of experience and building that special bond help us interpret the subtle signals that reveal whether a horse is feeling positive, neutral, or negative. A gentle nudge or lick might show contentment or affection…whereas a bite or kick clearly says otherwise.

Just like us, horses sometimes find themselves in unpleasant situations they’d rather avoid. When stressed or fearful, they might show it by pulling away, kicking, or displaying tension through specific ear and body movements. Recognising these signs early can make a big difference in keeping both your horse and you calm and safe.

Interestingly, researchers Merkies & Trudel (2024) explain that horses tend to cope with stress in two main ways. Some are passive copers that will withdraw, staying still and quiet until the uncomfortable moment passes. Others are active copers, making their feelings clear with more obvious physical cues.

So, what about your horse? Do they tend to shut down or speak up when something’s not quite right? How well can you read their emotional state?

Reference

Merkies K, Trudel K. How well can you tell? Success of human categorisation of horse behavioural responses depicted in media. Anim Welf. 2024 Nov 11;33:e50. doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.55. PMID: 39600357; PMCID: PMC11589072.