Do Horses Use Facial Expressions To Communicate?

Recent findings have revealed that our equine friends use 17 discrete facial movements to communicate. That’s 10 fewer than humans—but one more than dogs and four more than chimpanzees.

Do horses communicate with facial expressions?

Using the Equine Facial Action Coding System, researchers found horses can make 17 facial expressions. The coding, which has been used on cats, dogs, chimpanzees and humans also found specific “evolutionary parallels” in the way different species use the face to communicate.

What do horses facial expressions mean?

Ears that are slightly forward indicate that your horse is feeling relaxed. If your horse’s ears are sharply pricked forward, this is a good sign that your horse is alert and tuning into something. Ears that are flattened back are a clear sign that your horse is upset.

How does a horse communicate with people?

A horse may communicate with a human through facial expressions, vocal cues, or body language. Many equine experts believe that these forms of communication go both ways. Your horse may respond to your facial expressions, vocal cues, or body language.

How do horses communicate their feelings?

Whinnies. Whinnies can also convey both positive and negative emotions. Scientists in a different study found that there are two frequencies to a whinny – one that expresses whether the horse’s feelings are positive or negative, and another that conveys how strongly they are feeling that emotion.

Should you stare a horse in the eye?

Some report you should use soft eye contact when dealing with horses, meaning you can look at the horse but also keep a wide field of view. Other trainers indicate hard contact is preferred to establish your dominance over the herd.

Why do horses smile at you?

For example, horses raise the inner brow of the eye and widen their eyes in general when they’re scared or in generally negative situations, and so do humans. Plus, they tend to “smile” as a submissive gesture.

How do horses communicate verbally?

While they can vocalise with a whinny, squeal, nicker or snort, they communicate mostly using body language. It’s used to show dominance or subordination, to maintain discipline and to alert each other to danger.

Do horses like their faces touched?

Some horses enjoy having their heads and ears rubbed. Horses often groom each other on the whither, so this would be a good place to try too.

Do horses understand kisses?

Horses don’t think like we do—especially when it comes to bonding and showing affection. Human affection behaviors—such as kissing on the lips—don’t hold the same meaning for horses.

How do horses show they trust you?

Horses Trust You When They’re At Ease Around You
Their bottom lip is tight. Their nostrils are tense. Their tail is moving quickly or not at all. Their ears are pinned back on their head, or alert and facing you.

Can horses sense a good person?

Horses can read human facial expressions and remember a person’s mood, a study has shown. The animals respond more positively to people they have previously seen smiling and are wary of those they recall frowning, scientists found.

How do horses show affection to humans?

If a horse is grazing in a field and they come towards you when you are around you can be sure they like you. Horses that follow your movements in their presence show they are focused on and give you 100% of their attention. If your horse follows you around when they see you, they consider you as a friend.

Can horses read human facial expressions?

Research shows that horses recognize and react to human emotions expressed by facial cues alone. We’ve all been taught that horses can readily pick up on our anxiety, anger and other emotions from our body language. Now, research from England suggests that they can read our facial expressions as well.

Can horses recognize human faces?

Recent studies have demonstrated that horses can recognize humans based simply on visual information.

Do horses respond to human emotion?

Having a bad day? Chances are your horse knows. A recent university study indicates that horses can indeed understand basic human emotions. A total of 28 horses were shown happy and angry human faces, and the horse reactions – both physical and physiological – were studied.

Do horses like eye contact?

With horses, eye contact is crucial. In fact you can use your eyes in a number of different ways very effectively. Placing your eyes on your horse’s eyes can be a form of reprimand, for example. You can also use your eyes to ask for your horse’s attention, control his speed or merely read his mood.