The Literacy of the Horse

My husband and I have 8 horses. If we were to mention to someone that our horses could read, they would immediately think we are lying, or have a horse with super-natural powers. Horses surely cannot read. Or can they...

Horses are prey animals, meaning they do not hunt, but are hunted. Their survival, like any prey animal, depends on their ability to interpret and react with their environment. In other words, they must be able to read what is happening around them. Likewise, being horse owners, our safety in dealing with these 800-1100 pound animals requires us to learn to speak and understand the horse language. We have had to educate ourselves on the meaning of their movements and body language, and them with us. For example, when a horse pins back their ears, such as Kate is illustrating, that is a sign of disapproval. It could mean you are standing too close, they don't like the saddle, or they want the rest of the herd to stay away from their pile of hay.

Horses are also masters at reading our body language. They notice if you are confident or timmid by the way you approach them. Horses can also sense if you are relaxed or tense. Some trainers have said that the horse goes where the eyes go, so look forward if you want them to move! When we focus in a certain direction, all our senses and muscles adjust to that focus, and horses pick up on all those tiny clues are body gives. In other words, they are reading us.