The Importance Of Communication In Horses

Social
Throughout history, horses have always been social animals. They live in large herds all over the world. This is something that hasn’t changed with domestication (Lablanc, 2013). Horse herds structures as a harem (Lablanc, 2013). A harem is when one or two males with multiple females and their offspring (Lablanc, 2013). The harem is able to remain stable due to the number of females in the herd (Lablanc, 2013). The mares stay together and a new stallion comes in after others leave or die (Lablanc, 2013). Along with the stallions, the foals also leave in search of their own harem herds, which help prevent inbreeding within the herd (Lablanc, 2013). The role of stallions in the herd is to be dominant of the herd, leading them and
Horses communicate in nonverbal ways and verbal ways. Although horses communication mainly through non-verbal cues (Goodwin, 2007). Their non-verbal cues involve tail gestures, facial expressions and leg/body gestures (Waring, 2003). An example of this leg and body gestures is the lifting of the hind leg is a warning sign that they might kick (Waring, 2003). Horses also stop the ground, this is a way to get attention (Waring, 2003). The loud noise of the hoof hitting the ground gets people or other horses attention (Waring, 2003). Very similar to stomping the ground is pawing. Pawing can be a sign that the horse sees food but doesn’t have it or when a horse wants to move forward but it cant (Waring, 2003). Along with body gestures, there are facial expressions. An example of this is when a horse's lower lip droops it means they are tired (Waring, 2003). Lastly tail gestures many tail gestures accompany the other gestures previously mentioned (Waring, 2003). An example of this includes side-to-side tail swishing when the horse is
The horse and human relationship greatly differs from your typical cat and human or dog and human relationship (Brandt, 2004). This is due to the large size of horses. The large size of horses plays a factor in the relationship making it more dangerous then the relationships with cats in dogs (Brandt, 2004). This size factor makes successful communication between horse and human even more important (Brandt, 2004). Another factor unique to the horse in human relationship is all of the contact (Brandt, 2004). Many humans ride there horses and give the horse the ability to be in control if it really wants to be (Brandt,