Running Free - A Wild Horse Tale

Wild Horse Tutorial - Module 3

Module 3 - Herd Behavior and Communication

Wild horses communicate vocally, physically, and through smell.

Vocal Communication

The loudest vocal communication is the whinny. Whinnying is a call for separated band members, or out of excitement. Squeals and grunts can also be out of excitement, or signs of aggression. Snorts are for something of interest or danger. Nickers are for happiness, reassurance, and anticipation of food.

Physical Communication

Taste and touch is a form of communication. This is done through mutual grooming, which develops lasting bonds of friendship between the horses. When horses meet for the first time, they will blow into each other's nostrils; similar to a human handshake.

Photo Courtesy of The Ultimate Horse © 1991

Ear position is a main form of horse communication. Both ears pointing forward, the horse is alert and looking and listening in a forward direction. One ear forward and one ear back, the horse is listening in both directions, front and back. Both ears back, the horse is listening behind, relaxed, and indifferent. Both ears pinned back against their head is a sign of aggression and anger.

Horses provide signals of their current disposition. A horse with one leg resting, head drooped, ears back, is most likely relaxed, calm, and napping. There are three steps of aggression in horse communication. First, a horse with ears pinned back is saying I don't like that, get away from me, I'm dominant, that's my food. If the lesser dominant horse does not respond to the first communication attempt, then the next step includes the pinned ears and a head turn, and maybe a step towards the other horse. If the lesser dominant horse still refuses to respond, then the third and final step includes a nice bite on the shoulder or rump.

Night is telling Rancho to get away.

Smell Communication

Smell is a very important part of communication. A mare and foal identify each other based upon smell. A band will identify other band members based upon a corporate band smell. When a mare is in estrus (ready to mate) she announces this with the release of pheromones.The pheromones clue the stallion in a mare is ready to mate. At the scent of pheromones stallions can exhibit a behavior called flehman. Flehman is the curling back of the upper lip in response to smells which invoke stimulation, curiosity, or are unusual. Mares can also exhibit flehman.

Photo Courtesy of The Secret World of Wild Horses © 2002