If you’ve ever spent time around horses, you know they’re expressive beings! But unlike us, they don’t use words—they use their bodies and their energy. Two of the best indicators of a horse’s mood are their ears and tail. Learning to read these subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) signals will help you build trust, keep everyone safe, and enjoy richer interactions.
Horses are complex communicators, but we thought you might like a simple introduction to what some of these signs usually mean.
Ears: the horse’s emotional antennas
Horses’ ears are in near-constant motion, which might seem random at first. Actually, they act like little emotional antennas. Interesting fact: horses are one of the only animals who can move each ear completely independently of the other. Here’s what their positions might mean:
- Ears forward: Usually signals alertness, curiosity, or excitement. Maybe your horse spotted something interesting or is greeting you.
- Ears pricked back loosely: This can show relaxation or contentment, especially if paired with a soft eye and calm body.
- Ears pinned flat back: Watch out! This is often a warning sign—your horse could be angry, irritated, or even in pain. Give them space and consider what might be bothering them.
- Ears constantly flicking: If their ears move back and forth rapidly, your horse could be anxious or distracted. There might be too much noise or unfamiliar things nearby. Or there is a lot going on.
Always remember to look at the ears in context: pair them with the horse’s facial expression and the rest of their body, as well as with how you are feeling on the inside (as they can sense and respond to that too).
The tail: more than just a fly swatter
A horse’s tail isn’t only for keeping bugs away. It’s also a vital part of their social language. Here’s what to look for:
- Tail held high: This often means excitement, energy, or even a playful mood—especially common in foals or horses feeling frisky.
- Tail swishing sharply: Repeated, aggressive swishing often signals irritation or impatience. Maybe another horse is too close, or a person’s cues are confusing or incongruent.
- Tail clamped down: If your horse’s tail is held tightly down, they may be fearful, stressed, or in pain. Be attentive and gentle.
- Softly swinging tail: A relaxed, gently swaying tail typically shows the horse is comfortable and happy in their environment.
Other key communications
A horse uses their head and neck position, eye, body position and internal energy to communicate also. A horse can notice the smallest shift in your body—from the softening of your eyes to a subtle drop of your shoulders—even from several meters away.
And think how confusing we must be to them. Half the time, we aren’t even aware of what we’re doing with our eyes, posture, or gestures. Horses are constantly reading us, even when we don’t realize what we’re communicating. The good news? This new awareness can help us become clearer and more congruent in all our relationships—equine and human alike.
Tips for interpreting the whole picture
One of my biggest lessons with horses: don’t just focus on one clue! Read the ears and tail together, notice the body language, read the vibe in the area, look at other horses too, and always consider the setting. For example, a horse with ears back and a swishing tail during feeding time might just be defending their food, not feeling annoyed. During your time at Tula Vida, you’ll learn your horse’s “dialect.”
Understanding horse communication is a lifelong journey—and it’s endlessly fascinating. Next time you’re around horses, slow down, watch closely and see what you notice. And if you’d like to go deeper, come spend time with us at Tula Vida.
Book an exploration call and follow along on Instagram for more glimpses into life with the herd.