if a horse can only breath through its nose, why do they yawn. We do it to get more oxygen to the brain. whats their exuse?
2006-09-21 11:37:54 · 9 answers · asked by beanie 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer that explains why a horse "yawns." There are some veterinary medical professionals that firmly believe that the behavior we attribute to yawning in the horse is actually a manifestation of pain or discomfort. Some believe that so strongly that they propose that a horse only "yawns" when he is uncomfortable. Certainly, many horses will "yawn" when experiencing colic pain, but no one knows precisely why the horse responds this way or what the "yawn" might do to make him feel better.
Horses also might "yawn" if they have oral pain, and some horses "yawn" just after removing the bridle, presumably to stretch jaw muscles. At one time, many hypothesized that the horse might be trying to equalize pressure inside the inner ear much like humans often do when driving in the mountains or riding in airplanes. This has not been proven.
We have all seen our horses "yawning" while seemingly happy and quiet in their stalls or pens. And sometimes horses will "yawn" close to meal times as if they are anxiously anticipating their hay or grain. With so many seemingly contradicting triggers, it is very hard to imagine a single cause for "yawning."
About the only thing we're fairly sure of is that the trigger is not the same as that of a yawn in humans, which is in response to transient drops in blood oxygen levels. That big intake of fresh air increases oxygen in the lungs and therefore in the vascular system. However, horses do not appear to be inhaling when they "yawn."
The most important thing to keep in mind if your horse seems to be yawning inappropriately is that it can often be a sign of abdominal pain. Take quick stock of the situation and make sure there are no other signs of colic. If you have doubts, observe your horse closely for a few minutes and if you still have questions, call your veterinarian. Most times when your horse "yawns," however, he is likely to be just fine and doing what horses do.
2006-09-21 12:14:26 · answer #1 · answered by starryhalo22 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
yawning is not just because there Bord or tired etc. if they yawn near you then it means that he/she sees you as a leader/friend in the wild horses will yawn to one another to tell them that there friends or they have a higher rank in the herd etc yawning also brings in oxygen to the brain just like us!. well that's all i can say I'm sure allot of you can answer it better then i can.. hope that helps
2006-09-22 05:01:41 · answer #2 · answered by horse.master 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate when people answer questions they know nothing about. Horses yawn for the same reason we do, TIRED!!! Horses can only breath thru there nose PERIOD!!!
2006-09-21 21:17:08 · answer #3 · answered by Boxer Lover 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They breathe thru their mouths, too. Sometimes horses will yawn because they hold their breath while they're being worked. But, yeah, they also yawn when they're tired or bored just like we do.
2006-09-21 21:15:29 · answer #4 · answered by all things mystical 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Starry deserves the 10 points. Pratically said everything I was going to cover.
2006-09-22 02:40:01 · answer #5 · answered by Mutchkin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I learned something from Starry. She should get the 10 points. Well done!
2006-09-22 14:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by keylime1602 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My horse yawns just to mug me off. as if to say - YOUR FACE BORES ME lol xxx
2006-09-22 12:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
horses breath through their mounths as well not just there noses
2006-09-21 18:40:13 · answer #8 · answered by forest4eva2006 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tired, bored, etc
2006-09-21 18:45:38 · answer #9 · answered by Proud Army Wife 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋