A Horse's Body Language
By Caryn A. Tate
Mostly anyone who has been near to a horse has been aware of their eyes-how steady, unafraid, and sometimes even unnerving they are. And I've always personally thought that a horse's eyes have the most fascinating texture-when you get up close and really study them, you can see it!
But there's something else that is important about your horse's eyes, concerning the training and understanding of him. A common truth with most horses is that they are very honest creatures. No matter how wild they are, or difficult they may seem, they are showing you just what they're thinking and feeling if you know where to look. Like most animals, a horse's eyes are usually directed at whatever it is that is on his mind. For example, if you horse is standinig there looking at you, you can be pretty sure that he's thinking about you (unless it's one of those times he is standing in the sun, dozing happily, not really seeming to think about anything--just like people do).
A horse's ears serve as something of a radar for you as to how he's feeling. Once you've been around horses for a while you'll start to look there either first or second to get a feel of what he's thinking or feeling, and what you need to be ready for.
For example, if a horse's ears are back, you know there's trouble. It means he is either angry or upset, or annoyed. You can also use the rest of your horse's body language to tell how he feels--if he's angry with another horse, for instance, you can see his ears go back and the rest of his body become flatter, quicker, as he stretches his head out to bite the other horse. Often you can see a horse's ears go back in annoyance when fly season is in full swing.
A horse is at his most alert when his ears are perfectly straight up and slightly forward, and his eyes are focused intently on the object of his attention. Usually at this point, the horse's head is also up high.
Once you learn your horse's body language, you can use it to your (and his) advantage by listening to his special equine language. Use it in your training to make things easier for the two of you, and to help ease your communication. You'll be glad you did when you're able to accomplish difficult tasks easily, and everyone will wonder how you were able to get your horse to do that!
About the Author:
I have lived around and worked with horses my entire life, and learned how to ride when I was a small child. Riding and training horses are great loves of mine, and I enjoy helping other people overcome training issues with their horses. I love working with horses and developing relationships with them, as well as talking about them with other people who are as passionate about the subject as I am.
Caryn may be contacted by email at scribe_79@yahoo.com.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
