How do horses talk?

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Horses are social animals, meaning they often live in herds. Social living relies on clear communication between each horse. They often communicate through visual communicators such as the use of body language, but they also use acoustic communication, tactile communication and chemical communication.

Horses are very sensitive to changes in posture or tension from their cohorts, these changes can show the horse’s emotional state and even alert others of signs of potential danger.

The silent conversation:

Ears:

The ears of the horse are compelling indicators of their emotional state. The ears are compelling indicators of their emotional state, they are one of the most common ways of humans noticing a horse’s state. The ear can rotate 180 degrees using 16 different muscles that flick the horse’s ears in the direction of the sound. When a horse is relaxed and calm, the ears will often be floppy and out to the sides.

Eyes:

The horse’s eyes will tell us not only what they’re feeling but also where its attention is. Horses see movement very well throughout the 340° arc of their peripheral vision. When the horse is relaxed and calm, the eye will be soft and round, they may be slightly closed and the skin above the eye will be smooth.

Muzzle/nostrils: 

The nostrils should be soft, full and round, even if the nostrils are a longer shape due to breed, they should still be soft. When the horse is relaxed the lips should produce a slight curve and be slightly parted, the tongue may also protrude.

Posture:

A relaxed horse can show a flat outline along its top line. The base of its tail should be relaxed and falling straight down to the floor, it should be loose and swing when the horse moves. Weight should be evenly distributed over all 4 legs and may rest a hind leg. This is often seen in the stable or in the field, the horse may also do this when being ridden, in the event that the horse is standing still for a long time.

Vocal communication: 

We understand a lot about a horse through silent communication however they are rather vocal creatures as well! 

Whinny: 

This is the most common sound you will hear a horse make. It is a general calling they use to communicate with other horses. Often you will hear them whinny when a member of the herd is being taken out the field to be ridden, they will often call to one another. It is used when they are calling at a further distance meaning it is louder than if a horse was to nicker. 

Nicker:

When a horse nickers, it is gentle and quiet compared to the Whinny. It is still a form of them communicating to one another but It is associated with the horse showing affection more than them called across the field to another member of the herd. Often they will quietly nicker if you are approaching with food or if their friend as returned to the stable/field and are in closer proximity of the other horse. 

Blow:

This is quite an abrupt noise that the horse will let out through its nostrils if he can see something that is making him unsettled. Their body language will show that their ears are pinned forward and engaged on whatever is catching their attention. Their eyes will be wide and sharper facial features. 

Squeal:

Horses squeal to show dominance. You will most likely hear this noise when a new horse has joined the herd. There is always the dominant horse in the group and a way of them finding out who that is by striking front legs out towards the other horse, kicking, biting as well as squealing. 

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