How to Tell if a Horse is Frightened

Horses are amazing animals. They need very little in the way of vocalization to make themselves understood. Almost anyone with a willingness to study them can learn how to read their body language. Here's how to know when your horse is frightened.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the ears. Frightened ears can be mistaken for happy ears in that both are pricked and pointing forward with intense interest. But frightened ears will flick back and forth nervously, unlike happy ears that stay forward.

2. Observe the eyes. If a horse is afraid, his eyes will widen to the point that the white rims, called sclera, show around the eyeball itself. If the sclera are visible, the horse is afraid or upset.

3. Watch the horse. If it is dancing or trying to escape restraint, it is afraid. If it is holding stock still, but with whitened eyes and flicking ears, it is ready to explode into flight.

4. Observe the tail. If restrained, a frightened horse might tuck its tail like a scared dog. If free, the horse will often flag or curl its tail over its back as it runs away, almost like a whitetail deer flagging its tail to warn of danger.

5. Look at the nostrils. A frightened horse will be snorting and its nostrils will be greatly expanded while it tries to scent danger. The nostrils will be huge and actually quiver as the horse snorts and blows at the possible predator.