I recently took on some ghostwriting jobs involving horses, and it has me researching horses more than I ever have before. I have ridden horses several times, but I’ve never owned one before or spent a lot of time around them. So, it got me curious about horse body language and how it compares to the body language of other domesticated animals like dogs and cats.
Like many animals, body language is the language of horses. Horses don’t speak the same language as us, so they rely on their mannerisms to tell us how they’re feeling. If you spend any time around horses, whether it’s one riding session or getting a horse of your own, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with body language in horses so you can better communicate and bond with these giant but gentle creatures.

Horse Body Language Meanings
Every part of a horse’s body can give you some insight into how they’re feeling, including their ears, head, and posture. The following descriptions will act as a horse body language chart to help you understand the difference between a happy, stressed, sad, and angry horse.
Happiness in Horses
A happy horse will have a relaxed body posture, often resting one of their hind legs. Their mouths are usually closed and relaxed, with their ears upright and facing forward. Their eyes could be wide open or squinted, but usually, the whites of their eyes don’t show when they’re content.
Studies indicate that happy horses smile (in their own unique way). A horse smile occurs when horses have their eyes half-closed while stretching their upper lips. While scientists don’t like to call it a smile the same way a human smiles, this expression is usually related to positive feelings.
If a horse is chewing without eating anything, it’s not a cause for concern. Horses sometimes do this if they’re relaxed or thinking, which could indicate that they’re trying to understand you during training sessions.
Resting Position for Horses
When a horse is relaxed, they may rest. Horses can sleep and rest while standing up, so you may notice a horse standing with a relaxed posture and a lowered head. Their eyes could be closed or half open depending on if they’re sleeping or not. Their ears will likely be low with relaxed nostrils.
Be careful approaching a relaxed horse. If they’re asleep or not paying attention to their surroundings, you getting too close could startle them and cause them to lash out.
Fear or Stress in Horses
Knowing when a horse is scared or stressed is especially important because you can better understand what worries them, allowing you to keep them away from anxiety-inducing situations. Prolonged stress in horses could affect their health, behavior, and performance.
Stressed horses typically have tense postures and back away as if they’re preparing to flee. Their legs may be spread out more than usual. Their ears may be pointed backwards or pointed stiffly forward. If your horse’s ears are rapidly changing directions, they could be frightened by something and trying to figure out where it’s coming from.
Their nostrils may flare and they may be looking away and showing the whites of their eyes. Their tail could either be raised or tucked near their legs. If their head is elevated, they may be alert and trying to locate the sound or movement causing them stress.

Sadness in Horses
Hopefully, you won’t see this emotion often. Horses may show signs of depression if their needs aren’t met or they feel helpless. They typically stand very still, often facing a wall, as if they’ve given up.
Anger in Horses
If a horse dislikes something, their body language will let you know. An annoyed horse will typically hold their ears slightly back and have wrinkled nostrils. They may shake their head or swish their tail, similar to how they’d shoo away a flying insect. Some other behaviors include raising their neck, pursing their lips, and opening their eyes wide. They will often turn their head toward the thing they’re mad at.
When a horse shows small behaviors that indicate they’re annoyed, it’s best to give them space. These small indications could be a response to the way you’re grooming them or interacting with them. If you ignore their small cues, their behaviors could escalate.
An angry horse may stomp, bite, or kick. If they rapidly move their head back and forth, it’s a sign that they might attack. If you suspect a horse may lunge at you, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
It’s best to avoid approaching a horse from behind because it could scare them if they don’t notice you coming. Luckily, most aggressive behaviors in horses can be avoided if people pay attention to small cues and give horses space when needed.
Illness in Horses
When a horse doesn’t feel well, they may display certain body language to let humans know. Studies show that horses try to communicate with humans by nodding their heads, turning their tails, or quickly moving their heads. These behaviors could be a horse’s way of saying that something hurts or they need something.
If you ever notice a horse showing behaviors you’re unfamiliar with, it could be a sign that something is wrong. It’s a good idea to seek veterinary advice if you suspect that the behaviors are health-related. Noticing small behaviors could help you catch serious health concerns early on.

Understanding Horse Body Language is Crucial
Knowing how to read a horse’s body language is essential if you’re ever around horses. Whether you spend lots of time with horses or you go on one horseback riding adventure, it’s helpful to know how the horses are feeling.
Like with any animal, keep a close eye on a horse’s behaviors and body language while you’re interacting with them. That way, you can help reduce their stress and keep yourself safe at the same time.