Horse Body Language & Sounds

[BYH Project Manager]

A human's ability to express himself or herself is enhanced by written and spoken language. Having a clear understanding of the problem or need makes communicating with others easier. Horses, however, do not have the advantage of being able to understand language. Communication is still possible, but it is very different from how we communicate.

If we want to understand a horse, we must learn how to decode its communication style. Training and keeping the horse healthy will be easier if you do this. In order to understand what a horse is trying to tell us, we'll need to learn how to read their body language and sounds.

What Does My Horse Mean When...​

There are many different sounds your horse makes, like snorting and neighing. The sounds may not have been obvious to you at first. You can tell how your horse feels by listening to the sounds or actions it makes.

Snorts​

Horses typically snort with their heads held high and mouths closed, exhaling air forcefully through their nostrils. It produces a loud fluttering sound that can be heard up to 30 feet away and lasts for about one second

Do You Know What It Means?​

It's a sign that your horse noticed something that might be dangerous, and it's considering what to do. When your horse snorts, it usually stares at a specific object.

Responses that might be possible​

You can tell that your horse has concluded that the object is not dangerous if it relaxes or ignores it. Horses that become tense or shy away from an object are indicating that it is dangerous and should be avoided.

Blows​

The sound your horse makes when it blows is very similar to that of a snort, but without the fluttering. Their mouths are still closed while they exhale through their noses less forcefully. The blows are usually used when two horses come into contact, and you can tell how the horses react by what they do afterward.

Do You Know What It Means?​

When two horses meet for the first time, they usually blow. In addition, they'll blow if something is new or unfamiliar to them.

Responses that might be possible​

During their first meeting, if two horses blow, nuzzle, or interact gently, they have already determined that they are friends. In most situations, a horse that blows at an unknown object they're curious about will tense up and distance themselves if they consider it to be dangerous. In most cases, they will ignore the object if they determine it is okay.

Nickers​

It is their vocal cords that produce a horse's nicker. Vibrating sounds are made with a closed mouth, typically directed toward another animal or human.

Do You Know What It Means?​

While nickering at someone or another horse, the horse is saying hello to them, indicating that they're happy to see them. When stallions are trying to attract a mare for mating, they will nicker louder and shake their heads more aggressively.

The mare will nicker at her foals to tell them to get closer. Compared to the quiet nicker horses use for greeting, this is much quieter and softer.

Neighs​

The neigh is a combination of a squeal and a nicker, and it is the longest and loudest of all horse sounds. Initially, it sounds like a squeal but ends up sounding like a nicker.

Do You Know What It Means?​

Many people mistake this sound for fear, but it's simply the horse checking to see if the others are nearby. When they are looking for people or horses, they usually make this sound while holding their heads high.

Responses that might be possible​

In the event that another horse hears the neigh, they'll respond in kind, signaling that they're not alone.

Squeals​

There are many types of squeals, including short and long squeals, and loud and quiet squeals. If done loudly, it can be heard from a fair distance away.

Do You Know What It Means?​

Horses squeal when they don't want to do what is asked of them. Basically, it's a warning not to keep pushing the horse.

Screams​

It is rare for domesticated horses to scream. Horses only make this sound when they fight, so it's usually only heard in the wild.

Do You Know What It Means?​

A horse screaming aggressively indicates that it wants to fight and intends to hurt the horse it is bellowing at.

Responses that might be possible​

A horse that turns to run and hides with its tail low is surrendering. But if the other horse responds by snarling and displaying aggressive behavior, then it's about to turn into a fight.

Conclusion​

Even though horses lack written and spoken language, they have many ways of communicating. Now that you know a little more about the sounds and thoughts going on inside your horse's head, hopefully you will be able to translate some of their sounds.

Have you observed your horses making any of these sounds? Share your experiences below.