Horses Have a Complex Repertoire of Facial Expressions, Just Like Primates

Horses have a complex repertoire of facial expressions_ just like primates

When I started horse riding lessons at the age of eight, I was told that if a horse had its ears forward that was a good sign, and if horse had its ears back it wasn't happy. Those riding lessons sparked a fascination with equine behavior that is still with me and inspires my research. Yet when I carried out my new study into horse facial expressions I was still surprised at how complex equine communication can be. Horses are a social species wi…

Horses have a complex repertoire of facial expressions, just like primates

When I started horse riding lessons at the age of eight, I was told that if a horse had its ears forward that was a good sign, and if horse had its ears back it wasn't happy. Those riding lessons sparked a fascination with equine behavior that is still with me and inspires my research.

How to stop impostor syndrome cramping your competitive ability

EVENTING WARM UP ARENA HORSE HORSES EVENTING NUMBER BIB SKULL CAP JUMP SADDLE RIDER STOCK ASTON LE WALLSHave you ever shared a warm-up with a Whitaker, or perhaps your eventing section includes a British Olympic medallist? Equestrian sport is unusual in that you can find yourself competing alongside your idols, which in one breath can feel awe-inspiring, and in another a curse when that leads to self-doubt. If you have ever found yourself at a s…

New study reveals rich facial language of horses

Horses possess a far more expressive and nuanced facial “language” than previously understood, new research has revealed. The study suggests that horses’ rich array of facial movements and behaviour may hold the key to better understanding their emotions, social lives, and wellbeing. The research team, which includes an animal behaviour expert from Aberystwyth University, has […]

New study decodes the secret language of horse faces

Horses possess a far more expressive and nuanced facial “language” than previously understood, new research has revealed. The study suggests that horses’ rich array of facial movements and behaviour may hold the key to better understanding their emotions, social lives, and wellbeing. The research team, which includes an animal behaviour expert from Aberystwyth University, has created the first comprehensive ethogram – a catalogue of facial behav…