Do you understand horse body language? Horses can’t talk, but they live in herds and communicate gobs of information with body language. Understanding horse body language is key to understanding your horse. Here are some tips on not only understanding horse body language, but using your own body language to communicate leadership.

1. Recognize when your horse is paying attention

If your horse is paying attention to you, he’ll have both eyes on you. He may also have one or both ears pointed in your direction, listening for what you’re going to say next. If he has one eye on you but another eye looking off in the distance, he’s not seeing you as a leader and might decide on his own what’s a threat and what isn’t.

2. Ears pinned back

Of course a horse with ears pinned back is ready for action. That’s an angry, hostile horse that might bite or kick.

3. Head up high and ears forward

A horse that has his head up high, his neck tense and ears forward probably senses a threat. He’s about to enter self-preservation mode. That’s a horse that might suddenly take off.

4. Head lowered

Horse is relaxed and calm, where you want him to be. A lowered head also signals submission. As part of your training, you should ask your horse to lower his head to help reinforce the viewpoint that you’re the leader.

5. Tail clamped tight to his body

Go behind your horse and try and lift his tail. If its all tight and hard to lift up, he’s feeling fearful, tense, and nervous. If you can lift it up easily, he’s relaxed.

6. Tail Swishing

If a horse is swishing his tail, he might be warding off a flock of flies or he might be indicating he’s upset about something. Often a swishing tail means he’s agitated.

7. What about YOUR body language?

Horses live in herds and communicate using body language. This comes natural to them so they can read you like an open book the minute you enter the pasture. Its important to project confidence and strength. Walk upright with your head up and eyes looking where you’re going. When passing through a gate or barn door, you go first and let the horse follow. When you’re in the saddle, sit straight and look out where you want to go, instead of down at the reins hoping the horse won’t buck you off.

The body language you communicate works on two levels. You’ll also want to avoid looking like a predator. A few things that help here: if a horse is fearful, avoid eye contact. Look down at the ground as you approach. Don’t walk straight on toward the horse, approach laterally. Back off when a horse shows signs of acceptance.

Learn more about horse body language from Eric Bravo horse training videos