The Body Language of a Horse

Just like you, horses can experience a range of emotions including happiness, anxiety, fear and anger.

A horse's body language can give signals about how they're feeling. All horses have their own unique personalities, so they all behave differently. That means it's really important to spend time watching a certain horse so that you learn what's normal behaviour for them.

• ears
• head
• forelegs
• hind legs
• muzzle
• eyes
• tail
• whole body

		A happy, relaxed horse	The horse is standing with a relaxed body posture, resting one hind leg, alert with ears up and facing forward, eyes open showing no white, muzzle is relaxed with oval nostrils and closed mouth.
		A dozing, resting horse	The horse is dozing or resting and may be startled if you approach suddenly.
		A worried horse.	This horse is telling you they're uncomfortable and don't want you near them.
		An angry or very unhappy horse	For a severe threat, they may have wrinkled, elongated and open nostrils. The ears laid flat against the neck, head raised and the horse may lunge at you, whites of the eyes showing, and their mouth open showing their teeth.

For more information on the body language of a horse visit this website