Interpretation of sounds made by horses.

Like most other animals, horses don't make specific sounds that convey one particular idea, but they certainly use vocal noises to signify general ideas or emotions. I'll start with the lower sounds you're likely to hear from your horse and move on to the more intense ones, giving you clues to help you figure out what the horse wants to "say" to you or his friends in the stable or herd.

Sigh

Horses sigh (take a deep breath and then exhale slowly and loudly through their nostrils) much more often in the presence of people than when interacting with each other. Some sighs seem to express relief(for example, like our human “Phuuuuuuh!” when we take off our tight shoes at the end of the day). You can hear them when brushing, rubbing, or massaging your horse to relieve tension in his muscles.

Horses publish and sighs relaxation- they can be heard when, for example, you are lunging in order to relax the horse or make sure he is calm before starting work under the saddle. The horse tilts his head forward and down, exhaling deeply and noisily through his nostrils, often several times (“Yes, I feel better now”).

Some horses also make sighs that are colored boredom when the monotonous repetitive work in a circle tires her mentally. It's the horse equivalent of our "oooooh" when we're stuck in a long line at the supermarket. This is a request to change the monotonous work, diversify it, find some new exercise, etc.

Moan

Like people, moaning can be a habit, but it can also signal pain, so every moan requires an "investigation", especially if you are communicating with a horse that is not yet familiar to you and do not know what noises and in what situations are normal for him.

If a horse groans or grunts over obstacles but still seems happy and well, it is likely to make noises such as a tennis player yelling "woo!" with every racquet hit. But if she groans as she lands, and also lays her ears back or rolls her eyes, that's a sign that she's in pain. Possibly the back (does the horse resist when saddle or girth is tightened, hindquarters are restless, does it tail, does not respond well when you saddle?), legs or hooves (check them daily to see if they are warm, pay attention to the position of the horse in a state of rest, if it eases the front - this may be a sign of laminitis), internal organs(Possible adhesions from past abdominal surgery, if you don't know the horse's history, check for incision scars on the abdomen or groin).

If the horse groans only under certain riders, then perhaps falling heavily into the saddle after a jump or during a training trot, they hurt him.

If a horse normally groans during bowel movements but otherwise appears quite normal and happy, the groaning may be due to a simple involuntary movement of air through it. vocal cords when she uses the diaphragm during a bowel movement or as a response to normal discomfort/relief abdominal cavity. But if the horse suddenly begins to moan during a bowel movement, especially when straining, and the manure is dry and hard, this is already a signal for concern! Control your water intake; listen to the horse from both sides, putting your ear to the sides, - does its intestines make normal sounds? Check pulse and heart rate.

Test your horse for dehydration with the pinch test: pinch and release a patch of skin on his neck - if not dehydrated, the skin should straighten out in less than two seconds. Check her gums too.

Moans that a horse makes when not saddled can be a sign of stomach pain caused by an ulcer. Recent studies have shown that at least 60% of tournament horses have ulcers. If your horse is moaning and showing other symptoms of an ulcer, have your veterinarian perform an endoscopy.

Some horses groan when they know the job is done. In the absence of symptoms of the problems described above, they are probably just waiting for you to remove their saddle and put them in a stall where they can lie, eat and defecate in peace.

Googoo

When making this soft sound, your horse uses his vocal cords but keeps his lips closed. Usually (though not always) combined with an excited expression, a raised head and ears directed at you this is one of the greeting signs ("Hi! It's good that you're here! Chat with me!"). The affectionate googling of a mare towards her foal has the same meaning.

If your arrival at a certain time usually means a quick meal, then googling is the sound of happy expectation. If other horses get their food first, your horse's hoot will likely get louder and higher pitched ("What about me? Feed me!").

Horses can also hum in anticipation of a bad event if they feel cornered and feel threatened. (“Oh, that doesn’t look good, what should I do?”). This sound combined with the panic posture - trembling, ears plugged back, rocking back and forth, bulging eyes - is a signal that you need to remove the source of panic and calm the horse with a gentle voice, scratching, etc.

snort

When your horse inhales quickly and then exhales through his nostrils, making a loud vibrating sound, he is excited or waiting for something to happen. For example, she may see that you are picking up her halter, and the time is such that it would be time for her to go for a walk in the levada (“Great! We are going out for a walk!”).

By making this sound, the horse actually makes himself (and others) more aroused. So if he continues to snort, lifts his head and tail high when you take him out, be prepared for sudden movements and jerks. Remind her that you are still in control - make slow stops or drive her in a small circle before opening the gate. Otherwise, the horse may try to break free, especially if friends are waiting for him in the levada offering to play.

On a forest path, a horse may begin to snort if you are approaching a place where you usually canter, or if a cold wind blows on its tail. She tells you: "I want to ride!" Her snorting will "infect" other horses that move near you, so be careful.

Neighing

When your horse neighs, he is already aroused, and (even if he is usually phlegmatic) you will need to pay extra attention to the situation when you are interacting with him, brushing him, or riding him.

This sound can signal either anxiety or confidence, depending on the tone and body language that accompanies the whinny. The horse, which is restlessly rushing about in front of the fence of the levada, is obviously walking alone and waiting for his comrades - he will neigh in a high, trembling voice. A horse that neighs in alarm may sweat and defecate frequently. Her ears will move back and forth; eyes - protrude, tail - rise and fall. She can tuck her tail all the way in to look smaller.

Confident neighing is accompanied by a peppy appearance, ears sticking up, a bold look and a slightly raised tail.

Neighing while feeding is a stronger demand than googling (“Now come here and feed me!”).

When one horse in the group neighs, it may be a signal for everyone's attention - a strange horse is approaching or an unusual, interesting object has appeared in the field of view.

We humans are definitely a more sociable species than horses, but horses are good listeners when it comes to the meaning of certain signals and sounds. They certainly understand our language better than we understand them.

Linda Aronson; translation

And how, - says the aunt doctor, - says the dog?
“Aw, wow,” the child says.
- And the cat?
- Meow.
- And the horse?
- FRRRR!
- Not properly! - says the doctor's aunt. And already to me:
- Your child is not quite developed by age. The horse says "Igo-go!"
And I tell her:
- Aunt is a doctor, and when do you yourself last time Have you seen a live horse? Here we are yesterday. And to be honest, she said "FFRRR" ten times in front of us! and never once said "Igo-go!" Maybe it's an underdeveloped horse?

Inspired by the story about An-2
"Corn" is not some kind of Boeing for you. This is a real workhorse and
taxis and trucks, and how many people he transported ... In the region, how
was seen in that story, only he flew. Safety 100% In this
I made sure in 82. As a student, we constantly hung around with our comrades
mountains and rivers, summer and winter. All in all it was a hiking experience. In the summer
On the 82nd they decided to walk around Baikal. 6 people (4 boys + 2 girls).
Sea of ​​memories. And the last real steamship "Komsomolets" in the USSR,
who went from south to north once a week, and the purest water in the lake,
which you can drink just from the shore, and the village of Davsha (the center of the Barguzi
reserve), and colorful captains of the boats on which we were brought up for
a bottle of vodka to any place like a taxi, and the Shirelda River on which
graylings were caught directly on an empty hook, and much more
remembered with great nostalgia.
Well, okay, this is a lyrical digression, so to speak.
The most important thing to remember is in the air. Everything is in order. Boat tossed into
Severobaikalsk, from there they got to Nizhneangarsk to the steamer, which
should go south. By the way, we rode the train along the newly opened branch
real BAM. They missed the boat by just a few hours.
Got very upset. The hike is over, it's time to go home, and the ship is only through
week. Then someone suggested to us that they say we can catch up with him if
fly to Davsha by plane, meet him there. There was no surprise
limit. Is there an airport here??? Showed me how to get through. Found. Hefty
utopton field and on the edge of a small shed in which there was
dispatcher, cashier, etc. all rolled into one. Only one flight to Ulan-Udu
with landing in Davsha. What time is the flight, you ask? As soon as it gathers
less than 8 people, otherwise not profitable. And we are 6, what to do? What is the cashier
smiled, called someone and said - wait half an hour. And
Indeed, after 40 minutes. fit two grannies with backpacks. How
later it turned out that they had been waiting for a flight to Ulan-Ude to visit their relatives for 2 days. BUT
we helped them so much! Okay, we take tickets (two went on a hike without
passports and they still sold tickets) waiting for boarding. In about 15 minutes
cashier invites. They say there on the edge there is a board such and such in it and
download. We threw our backpacks on and moved towards the plane (just like
paratroopers). I was in the role of a co-operator on this trip, I always have
hanging camera "Quartz" 8 mm. Later we watched these footage and wept to everyone
composition. Loaded into the "Corn" and waiting for the pilots. Pilots the same
turned out to be extraordinary people, with a sense of humor. Their first words immediately
alerted. "Well, the dead, flew!" Stas coming out of a stupor,
asked. Like, commander, but you can fly not directly through Baikal, but
along the coast, They say you want to see from the air places where recently
passed. "Yes, no problem," the commander replied. Launched and flew...
The door to the cockpit did not close, as if the work of professionals we
saw firsthand. Gained the desired height, and then our eyes - BEAUTIFUL!
On the right side of the lake, on the left the coast and mountains, stunned! With screams
"Look!!!" we ran from one porthole to another, from the left to
right and back. When 6 people rock a small plane, it's
very noticeable. The pilots were really silent, frowning at us through
open door. This vothonalia ended with a sound that broke from
fire extinguisher mounts. The sound was loud and scary. So until the end
flight, we sat quietly and quietly. But of course the pilots took revenge on us for this
in his own way, adding more adrenaline. Coming in for a landing, flying past two
hills (this is beauty! just like they show in the movies) commander
turned off the engine! Through the open door one could see the stopped blades
screw. That's how we landed on low level flight. No, we didn't applaud.
now they show in films, we just did it in silence and could not move
from place. Only after the pilots opened the door and allowed to fall out,
ma on half-bent fell on mother earth, where they immediately saw fresh
bear tracks. The strip is earthen, and the bears in the reserve are not frightened.
The next day we boarded the ship and after 4 days we were already at home. A AN-2
forever remained for me an exceptional aircraft for life!
Andi_x

Dr. Elliot, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal care. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. She has been working at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Have you ever thought about what a horse is trying to tell you or another horse? Horses use body language and sounds to communicate with people and other horses. In order to properly train a horse and achieve favorable results, you will need to thoroughly study the habits and body language of the horse. By learning to understand your horse's behavior and signals, you will be able to connect with him more closely and improve your relationship.

Steps

Interpretation of the movement of the ears, eyes and facial expressions

Take a look at your horse's eyes. Watch your horse's eyes to see how he's feeling (whether he's alert or lethargic). Remember that a horse's field of vision is different from a human's. Horses have a panoramic perception of their surroundings (like a panoramic camera). Since the horse is a prey animal in the wild, it is extremely important for them to have a wide field of view of the environment. Horses may also have poor depth perception preventing them from correctly judging the depth of water sources. What is a shallow puddle to a human may seem like a bottomless pit to a horse.

Pay attention to the position of your horse's ears. Different ear positions allow horses to pick up different sounds from their surroundings, as well as showing how they relate to what is happening around them. Horses can move both ears at the same time or separately.

Learn to interpret your horse's facial expressions. Horses can change their facial expressions in response to external stimuli. Often, changes in facial expressions are accompanied by changes in body language.

Interpretation of leg movements, posture and vocal cues

Notice what the horse is doing with its legs. The position of the front and back pairs of legs of the horse depends on its mood. Horses can cause serious injury with their feet, so for your own safety, it's good to know what the horse is trying to tell you.

Take a look at your horse's posture as a whole. You can understand the emotional state of a horse by looking at how it moves and stands. For example, if the horse's back is raised, this may indicate pain caused by prolonged use of the saddle.

Listen to the sounds your horse makes. Horses are capable of making a wide range of sounds as a means of communication. Interpreting these sounds will help you better understand what your horse is trying to communicate to you or other horses.

Interpretation of head, neck and tail movements

Pay attention to the position of the horse's head. Like other parts of the body, the position of the horse's head will change depending on his mood. The position of the head indicates the mood of the horse.

Pay attention to the movement of the tail. Sometimes a horse will wag its tail for more than just warding off flies and other insects. Although the natural position of a horse's tail depends on its breed, certain positions are common to all breeds.

Pay attention to position and appearance horse neck. Different positions of the neck can indicate that the horse is tense, relaxed, and so on. By understanding these neck positions, you will be able to better understand your horse's body language.