Here's a handy Body-Language-Tips photo gallery. It can help you get started on some one on one, in depth observation, of your horse. These body language pictures can help you on your way to learning what to look for and what to look at.
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These two friends have soft ears, relaxed eyes and stance and are casually sharing a clump of grass.
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For body-language-tips start with the ears. They have so much movement and are like antennas that are constantly picking up signals.
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This horse is demonstrating angry behavior. He is feeling threatened and has no place to run to. He is cautioning his opponent to "back off". Ears are pinned, nostrils flared and eyes are wide and strained.
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The swishing tail is a body-languge-tip telling you that the horse is either annoyed, angry at something threatening...or maybe he is just swatting a fly.
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"I have been standing here for a while and I am getting bored. I am listening for footsteps of someone coming to get me."
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"I am checking something out. My ears are pointing directly at it, my eyes are focused. I have not yet made a decision on whether I am ok with it or not."
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Notice the dropped lip, pinched nostrils, tense lips, squinched eyes and tense ears. This horse is definitely not happy about something.
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Notice that the horse's ears are recieving signals from two directions and the look says he doesn't care for at least one of them.
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This horse's eyes reveal the world about him. He is a kind, intellingent, generous, horse. |
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Loosely tied to a shade tree in a field of rich grass this mare is loving life.
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These two colts are playing and running and kicking up their heels and their ears, although slightly pinned, are not threatening.
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Running loose and having fun this horse has energy to spare and his high tail shows that he is feeling good! |
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This mare is not happy and probably in physical discomfort of some kind. But how kindly and patiently she deals with it.
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Happy, relaxed horse attentive (left ear) to his "person friend" and waiting to see what comes next for the day.
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This is a relaxed tail of a happy horse that sways with the horses movement.
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No need to worry. This horse is being playful.
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Going through his routine workout , the horse is showing signs of tension from the position of his tail held out and rigid.
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This horse does not understand what is being asked of him but is trying to listen and figure it out. This could go either way in a minute. |
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Content about her surroundings and life in general, this mare's soft eyes are definitely windows to her soul.
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