Horses may not be able to speak human language, but through their movements and expressions, we can sense what they’re feeling. By understanding their nature and learning to communicate with them, we can build a relationship of trust. Next time you see a horse, be sure to take a closer look and observe.
Horse Ears: A Window into Their Emotions
A horse’s ears are an important part that express its emotions. By observing the movement and direction of the ears, you can understand how the horse is feeling.
- Ears tilted back
- This is a sign of anger or fear. It's safest to avoid a horse in this state.
- Ears facing forward
- This indicates interest or concentration. This is seen when the horse is paying attention to something.
- Ears relaxed and facing to the side
- This indicates the horse is feeling safe and calm. A horse in this state is easier to interact with.
The Horse’s Eyes: Keys to Building Trust
A horse’s eyes are large and round, giving them an adorable look, yet within those eyes lie the instincts and characteristics that define the horse itself.
- They're looking at you with both eyes.
- Horses have different fields of vision with each eye, but when they look at you with both eyes, it's a sign that they feel safe and secure, knowing there's no danger around. This indicates that you've built a bond of trust with your horse.
- They have a wide field of vision, but they also have blind spots.
- Horses have an extremely wide field of vision and can see in most directions, but they cannot see directly behind them. For this reason, it's important to move carefully and talk to them when getting behind a horse to avoid startling them.
The Horse’s Nose: A Sensitive Sense of Smell
A horse’s nose is extremely sensitive to smells. Its sense of smell is said to be a thousand times stronger than that of humans, allowing it to recognize people and its surroundings through scent.
- Building Trust Through Scent
- Before touching a horse, bringing your hand up to its nose and letting it sniff your hand can help put it at ease. This also communicates to the horse that you are not a threat.
- Respect the Owner's Instructions
- Interacting with horses varies from horse to horse. Therefore, when interacting with a horse, always follow the owner's or caretaker's instructions and handle the horse in a way that will put it at ease.
The Joy of Understanding a Horse’s Traits
Understanding a horse’s emotions and traits through its ears, eyes, and nose is the first step toward building a deeper bond of trust. When observing a horse, pay attention to these key points and try to sense what the horse is feeling.
