Author: Jelena Woehr

If there’s one thing you’re certain to see in a pasture or paddock, it’s horses swishing their tails—especially in the summer. But why, exactly, do horses swish their tails?   The most common reason for tail swishing in horses is simple: they’re swatting flies. But similar tail movements may communicate emotions, pain, or unmet behavioral needs. 

Saddle cleaning is one barn chore you shouldn’t avoid. A properly cared-for saddle looks great, and can last for decades. Neglected saddle leather, on the other hand, may pose risks to your safety, grow mold/mildew, or simply wear out before its time.   Whether your saddle is English, Western, Australian, or otherwise, if it’s horse tack made of leather, it needs regular cleaning and conditioning.  To learn about how to clean a saddle properly, we spoke with professional saddle cleaner Kris Hanna of K&T Saddle Cleaning in Lucerne Valley, California, as well as saddle fitter and endurance rider Heidi Helly of Valley Center, California. 

Q: My mare has quite the sense of humor! After plucking my phone out of my jacket pocket and dropping it on the ground, she stretched her neck out and opened her mouth like she was laughing at me, then smacked her lips together. Was my horse laughing? Is it normal?  A: While you’re far from the first person to be “pranked” by a mischievous horse, animal behaviorists haven’t identified a behavior in horses equivalent to human laughter. That doesn’t mean horses can’t feel amusement—but if they do, they likely communicate it through horse-specific body language rather than audible sounds.  The neck-stretching, mouth-opening gesture you saw in your mare sounds like what some vets and trainers refer to as a “release.” Although it resembles a human yawn, this behavior signals the release of stress, not drowsiness.  To better understand behaviors that might be mistaken for horse laughing, we spoke with Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; and Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas in Austin, Texas. 

Whether they’re living in Michigan or South Florida, all horses shed their coats as the seasons change. De-shedding a horse with grooming tools can help them feel more comfortable and strengthen your partnership.   To learn more about horse coat care during shedding season, we spoke to Melody Hames, founder of The Horse Barber, and Cathy Trope, founder and president of Polo Pony Rescue.  

Horses evolved to roam freely in herds and spend much of their time grazing. In our modern world, we often ask them to ride in enclosed trailers, live in stalls, eat at specific mealtimes, and carry us on their backs. So it’s hardly surprising that many domestic horses show signs of stress and anxiety.   That’s why many equestrians are turning to calming supplements for horses. But do calming supplements work? And if so, which ingredients are most effective?   To get the scoop on calming supplements, we spoke to Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; and Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas in Austin, Texas. 

Snort Snorting—a short, sharp noise produced by forcefully exhaling through the nostrils—might sound like a horse clearing dust from their nose. Surprisingly, snorts may be associated with well-being in horses. One study found that horses snort more often when they experience lower levels of stress. Blow A horse “blows” by raising their head, flaring their nostrils widely, and exhaling with great force. Horses may blow loudly to scare off potential predators, or when expelling pent-up energy after a period of confinement. Groan Horses can make noises that sound very much like human groans and grunts. It’s normal for sleeping horses to occasionally groan. Some horses also groan when they are enjoying a good scratch, from either a human or a horse friend. Prolonged groaning, or groaning only when a certain area of the body is touched, may be signs of pain. If groans are accompanied by signs of colic, contact your veterinarian.,From a loud neigh to a soft sigh, horse sounds convey a wide range of emotions. Equines use body language as their primary means of communication, but horses also make many sounds. Knowing how to interpret various sounds that horses make can help you understand your own horse’s needs.

Q: My new, 6-year-old gelding has big, dramatic reactions to things my older horse hardly notices. It seems like any little change in the arena triggers a big spook. Is this normal?   A: Maybe. Some horses spook more readily than others, due to their genetic makeup, age, and/or level of training. However, excessive reactivity that doesn’t change with training or desensitization could be a sign of a health issue.   To learn more about fear in horses, we spoke with Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, and Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas, in Austin, Texas.  

“Why is that horse blindfolded?” It’s a question virtually every horse owner has been asked—and politely held back a chuckle long enough to explain that the “blindfold” is actually a fly mask for horses. And the matching “tall socks” the horse is wearing are horse fly boots, another equine summer essential. It’s always important to keep horses as protected as possible when it comes to flies, according to their level of fly vulnerability.

Q: I’m taking horseback riding lessons and my horse yawns during my lesson. My trainer says it’s just his personality, but I’m not so sure. Is it normal for a horse to yawn all the time, or is he trying to tell me that I’m boring him?  A: Frequent yawning is uncommon in horses, but it’s probably not a negative review of your riding. Studies show that equine yawning might be at least partly a social behavior showing affinity, and some experts say it’s a way for horses to release physical and emotional tension. In rare cases, excessive yawning can be a symptom of a medical condition. However, sleep-deprived horses don’t yawn more than well-rested ones, so it’s unlikely that your lesson horse is tired—or bored with you.  To learn more about why horses yawn, we spoke to Katherine Houpt, VMD, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Natalie Lord, DVM, a large and small animal veterinarian at Four Paws – Cuatro Patas in Austin, Texas; and Camie Heleski, PhD, a senior lecturer at the University of Kentucky’s Equine Science and Management Program in Lexington. 

Yes, horses can have watermelon. All parts of a watermelon are considered safe for most healthy horses to eat, including the flesh, seeds, and rind.   However, keep in mind that watermelon may be safer for some horses than others.   “If you have a horse [who] doesn’t chew carefully, I worry about the rinds,” says Merle DerVartanian, DVM, of Conejo Valley Equine in Thousand Oaks, California. “I, luckily, haven’t seen a patient who choked on a piece of watermelon rind, but I would definitely not feed large pieces of watermelon rind to a horse with compromised teeth.”  Store-bought watermelon-flavored treats for horses, like Uckele Equi Treats Watermelon Basil Pellets, are also a safe way for horses to enjoy watermelon. ,There’s nothing more refreshing than a slice of cold watermelon on a hot day—and your horse probably agrees. Most horses love the smell and taste of watermelon. But can horses eat watermelon?  Yes! Watermelon is a safe treat for horses, although it should not replace any part of a horse’s normal diet. Like all sugary horse treats, watermelon is best fed in moderation.  Before introducing any new food into your horse’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.