HORSEMANSHIP
Horse talk: How horses communicate
I
n the 1920s, author Hugh
Lofting wrote a series of
charming children's books
about Doctor Doolittle,
whose pet parrot, Polynesia,
taught him how to speak to
animals in their own lan-
guage.
As a horse owner, you may
sometimes wish you had your
own Polynesia to teach you
the equine language.
... and your horse often tries to
talk to YOU, too...
However, the best way of
improving the lines of
communication is by taking
the time to watch how horses
communicate with each
other. By opening our minds
to their language and
adopting their methods, we
create stronger bonds with
our horses, and communica-
tion becomes far more
effective.
Communication signals
among horses can be visual,
acoustic (using sound), touch
as well as reacting to and
giving off chemicals which
can be smelt. Often a
combination of signals will be
used.
We can learn much from
simply observing the face of
the horse. Snapping, opening
and shutting the mouth,
sometimes making teeth
contact is used a lot by foals
to show submission to the
mare. Aggression is made
clear by showing an intention
to bite, with jaws and teeth
held open, teeth fully
exposed and stiff lips. The
Flehmen response is when
the top lip is curled up and
the head raised high -
characteristic of stallions
smelling mare's genitals and
urine or mares smelling other
mare's urine. Nostrils can be
wrinkled showing disgust or
flared in excitement or fear.
A horse will show that it is in
a completely relaxed state
when its lower lip hangs slack
and loose. This is often
accompanied by one of its
rear hooves being rested with
only the toe of the hoof
making contact with the
ground, the leg being bent
forward.
The eyes can be used to
interpret the horse's state, too.
Eyes are closed in pain or
when exhausted, open wide
in fear, showing the whites
when angry or terrified or half
closed in peaceful relaxation
or submission.
The whole head gives
different messages when it is
shaken, bobbing, wobbled,
thrust and lunged, nudged,
weaving or circling.
Continued on page 15
Curled upper lip: Flehmen response
14
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