HORSEMANSHIP
From page 14
Horses have particularly
expressive ears. They are
pricked when alert, but
drooped when dozy or in
pain and drooped backwards
to show submission. “Aero-
plane ears” which are held
out to the side with openings
downwards show that the
horse is psychologically low or
has lost interest. Twitching
and flicking ears are a sign of
a stressed or confused horse,
while flattened back ears
show aggression.
When your horse is swishing
its tail first sideways then up
and down, it is ill at ease,
anxious or confused.
However increased power of
side flick shows real rage and
flicked high in air and slapped
down hard is warning that
kicking will follow. Different
emotions are also expressed
by the tail when it is held
high, low or straight out.
Horses tell us much through
different sounds too: they will
snort, squeal and snicker in
greeting, courtship or
Flicking of the tail is a means of communication.
maternally. They neigh and
whinny, blow, grunt or groan,
stamp their hooves or pass
wind. Watch out for the roar
of intense rage of a fighting
stallion.
Touch signals are a very
common means of communi-
cation. They are seen when
horses meet - nose to nose,
mares use nudges and foals
use them to warn the mare
they are going to look for the
udder. Aggression is commu-
nicated through pushing and
biting.
Of course, touch is used by
riders to direct the horse and
by handlers, along with the
voice, to warn a horse of
where they are.
Chemical communication
refers to horses smelling each
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other in great detail. Mares
use smell to identify their
foals, as well as visual signs.
It is obvious to anybody who
has worked with horses that
they recognise humans
visually and by smell, and
will express their pleasure at
recognition by whinnying or
stamping their feet.
Somethimes they will take a
nip out of their human
friend and this is often mis-
interpreted as an aggressive
or “naughty” act. In fact, it is
nothing more than the
equivalent of a human “love-
bite” and needs a response of
reward and affection, rather
than punishment, even if it
was painful.