What Does Your Horse’s Ear Position Tell You?
This is often indicative of a horse that is listening to something in another direction than out front or paying attention to what is being asked of him while maintaining alertness in the direction of travel. He might be saying:
◆ I am listening to my rider.
◆ I am paying attention to something behind me.
◆ There is something that has my interest to the side of me.
◆ I am aware of things in both directions.
Ears Pinned Flat To the Head
This is a well-known sign of dominance or aggression that is usually accompanied by neck snaking, head shaking, drawn lips and bared teeth. Your horse might be
trying to say:
◆ I am going to bite or kick you! Get out of here!
◆ That is my food, go away.
◆ I don’t feel well; leave me alone.
Ears Turned Back
If the horse’s ears are pointed backward but not pinned, it means he is listening to something behind him. If you are riding and his neck is tense, he may be unsure of what you are asking him to do. He may be deciding how to react to the stimuli and whether to run away or turn around and check out a sound or movement. When combined with a swishing tail or other signs of tension in the body, turned-back ears may be a precursor to pinned ears. Your horse might be saying:
◆ How do I react? What is that behind me?
◆ I am unsure what you are asking, or I am confused.
◆ I am nervous.
Ears Relaxed To the Side
The horse is asleep, relaxed or feeling lazy. If you are riding your horse, then he may be showing complete trust and relaxation. Your horse could be saying:
◆ I am content or sleepy.
◆ I am just relaxing right now.
◆ I am concentrating or daydreaming.
◆ I trust you.
Ears Flicking Back and Forth
The horse is in a heightened state of alertness or anxiety. He may be trying to
find the source of an unusual sound or smell or may feel overwhelmed, upset or
anxious. He might be trying to say:
◆ I don’t know what to make out of that strange sound.
◆ I am worried! What is that? How should I react?
◆ Fight or flight? How can I get away quickly?
◆ I may be on the verge of panic.