How do you recognize a horse's body language?

Recognizing a horse's body language primarily involves observing its physical cues, such as ear position, tail movements, and overall stance. These indicators can provide significant insights into a horse's emotional state, health, and comfort level. For example, a horse that has its ears pricked forward is typically alert and interested, while pinned-back ears may indicate irritation or discomfort. The position and movement of the tail can suggest relaxation or agitation, and the horse's stance can reveal whether it feels secure or threatened.

While vocalizations, eating habits, sleep patterns, and interactions with humans can be part of a horse's behavior and might provide some context about its emotional state, none of these aspects are as direct or reliable in interpreting a horse's immediate feelings as its body language. Therefore, focusing on ear position, tail movements, and general stance is the most effective and accurate method to gauge how a horse is feeling in the moment.