my neice just started taking horseback riding lessons, I've been going with just to observe, and am learning a lot, but i would LOVE to know how to read a horse, how do i know they are happy, scared, playful???? anything will help, i have never been around horses before.
2006-09-10 08:20:36 · 6 answers · asked by J. J 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Learning to read what a horse is thinking is a lifelong goal.
It takes much time and learning.
One guy who can do it well and is esy to understand is John Lyons.
There mre many great trainers but if you pick up one of his books or videos it would be a great starting place for you to start leaning about how horses communicate.
2006-09-10 09:42:33 · answer #1 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WOW. The answer to that could fill a library. Keep in mind that all horses are different. Some are calm, some are hyper, some are nervous and some are afraid of their own shadows.
First thing to remember about all horses that is often overlooked: Horses have 2 eyes and 2 halves of one brain. The left eye communicates with the left half of the brain and the right eye comminicates with the right half of the brain. The two eyes do not communicate with each other and the 2 halves of the brain do not communicate with each other. Keep that in mind at all times!
As an illustration and anyone that's been around horses for any length of time can confirm this:
Let's say a paper bag is tumbling along the ground to the left of the horse. The horse sees it with his left eye and the left eye communicates to the left side of the brain that this is just a bag and it's not dangerous. The horse is calm. Now let that bag continue to tumble toward the horse and go under the horse to the right side, when the right eye suddenly sees it. The right side of the horse is seeing it for the first time - and it just appeared out of nowhere! YIKES! If you are standing on the left side of the horse, prepare to be stepped on. The horse is going to try to move away from this bag - into you.
Now that you know how a horse sees, you can better understand him. A happy horse is one that is understood.
2006-09-10 16:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by north79004487 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a horse has its ears up and its tail flicking from side to side this is a natural relaxed "happy" position. If a horse becomes scared it will usually put its ears back and you will not see the tail flicking back and forth. He may often whinney loudly and rear up on his back legs. This often occurs if the horse is spooked by something. If you watch their eyes this tells you a lot also. Every horse is different, kinda like people. It takes some time to get to know a horse for his individual characteristics and responses. Congrats at being introduced into the wonderful world of horses.
2006-09-10 15:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by Country Girl for Life 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Body language, tail movement, ear position. Horses are in a way like people and are in tune to each others feelings. By the way they are standing you can judge their mood. If they have their head down they can be relaxed. If they have their head between their knees they could buck. If they are flinging their head up, stamping their feet, snorting, prancing around, and you see the whites of there eyes they may be spooked or scared. Stamping feet is a sign of anger or annoyance. Tails can tell a lot to. If they are held high it could be proud, swishing means they are removing flys or are annoyed. The ears help detect mood. If they are pricked foward they are alert, one foward and one back they are listening, back they are angry. Nipping, rearing, bitting, bucking can be signs of anger or scared. Nuzzling and whinnys can be a sign of affection.
2006-09-10 15:41:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all you hafta do is b around them a lot and you learn it could b different for every horse. there is no book on how an individual horse will act the hav their own personalities just like people
2006-09-10 15:46:59 · answer #5 · answered by aflo93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, horses give u signs like swatting their tails using their ears making noises snorting that kind of thing.
2006-09-10 16:10:39 · answer #6 · answered by Sami Superstarr.! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋