Understanding Your Horse's Body Language

Horses aren't verbal beings; most of their communication is done via body language although they do communicate verbally on occasion. Learning to read your horse's body language can help you understand why your horse acts the way he or she does. Your horse's body language speaks volumes about how your horse is feeling, the mood he's in and what he may do next so it is vital that you learn equine body language in order to be able to communicate with your horse on his level.

Perhaps the most expressive body parts of a horse are the ears. A horse's ears can tell you a lot about what your horse is thinking or feeling. The ears of a horse are always moving, either together or independently, much like radars. Ears pricked forward usually mean the horse is relaxed, but if they're sharply pricked forward this could mean the horse is on the alert. Depending on the situation, he horse may either be interested or apprehensive of something.

Ears facing backwards can mean the horse is relaxing, taking a short nap or listening to something behind him. Ears pinned backwards are usually a sign of aggression as most horse owners will tell you. Horses will usually pin their ears sharply backwards before taking a lunge at you or the offending object, they are also the prelude to a bite or kick so be careful!

Horses have very expressive eyes and a horse that is displaying the white of its eyes is nervous or afraid, this is generally referred to as "rolling eyes". A combination of body language can often reveal a lot about the horse's next move, for example sharply pricked ears, flaring nostrils and eyes showing white are usually signs that the horse is ready to bolt. The more time you spend around horses the more adept you'll become at reading their body language.

The way the horse holds his neck is also an indicator of how he's feeling; a head held high can indicate anxiety fear or sometimes plain defiance. When a horse holds his neck low this means acceptance and that the horse is relaxed. A level neck is a neutral pose and usually means the horse is focused and engaged.

Like with many other animals, your horse's tail is also an important part of his body language and mood. A swishing tail can mean the horse is irritated, if the horse is swishing his tail in an angry manner this means the horse is annoyed, you may see this if the horse is being pushed too much during an exercise. Flies can also be a source of great irritation!

Some horses, especially Arabians and foals "flag" their tails - flagging is when the horse holds his tail up high and is curls slightly at the dock. This is usually a display of happiness or excitement but it can also signal alarm. A tail carried low generally conveys submission but if the tail is clamped down this means the horse is fearful or in physical discomfort and you should check the horse for any ailments or pain.

Other forms of body language such as prancing are usually easy to read, a prancing horse may be on the alert, excited or nervous. Pawing the ground usually spells frustration or boredom and a raised hind hoof means the horse is relaxed. Horses never raise their front hooves unless there is a problem so if your horse holds a foreleg off the ground make sure to have him checked by the farrier or vet immediately.

Stal Amani is a top equestrian centre based in Belgium within 2 hours drive of most of the top jumping and dressage competitions in Europe. At Stal Amani we specialise in training riders and horses to compete in top level competition. Find out more about training and stabling your horse at Stal Amani by going to http://www.stalamani.com