The Not-So-Secret Diary of Diva the Shetland Pony - Floof!
18/04/2024Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) usually gets her summer coat quite early compared to other horses and ponies, but this year she has been holding onto hers for a lot longer.
Anyone who has spent time around horses will know they are all different. You don’t need to be a horse whisperer to tell a sociable horse from one that is more aloof. Or a confident horse from one that’s a bit grumpy.
But have you ever wondered what your horse is thinking? We mean, REALLY thinking. Changes in a horse’s posture, expression or movements are often subtle but can speak volumes about how they are feeling at any given moment.
There are lots of cues that help you identify when your horse is happy, sick, in pain, or feeling stressed. More importantly, being able to understand your horse’s body language can help you recognise signs of fear and frustration before they become something more serious.
Horses that are scared can easily kick out and cause damage to a horsebox, particularly if they are nervous about being moved. This is where horsebox insurance comes in handy. More on that later. But right now, do you fancy becoming a horse ‘mind reader’? Here are some of the common body language cues to look out for.
Ears
One of the first things a novice rider learns is that ears facing forward means a horse is alert and interested, ears pinned back means he is angry. But a horse’s ears can tell you much more than that…
Eyes
A horse’s eyes can say a lot about their anxiety level so don’t be afraid to make eye contact.
Head
A horse’s head can tell you a lot about their mood. Here’s what to look out for.
Legs
Anyone who spends time around horses knows to keep an eye on their back legs to avoid those kicks, but there’s more communication going on in their legs than you may realise.
Muzzle
Nickers, whinnies and brays can only tell you so much. It’s important to pay attention to movements around a horse’s muzzle, too.
Tail
We are used to seeing horses use their tails as a handy fly swat, but look a bit closer and you’ll realise those tails are saying a lot more.
Whole body
It’s important to look at a horse’s body as a whole, not just in parts. It helps you see the bigger picture. For example, if there is a lot of tension in the body, he may be nervous, stressed or in pain; trembling often signals fear; and swinging hindquarters generally means he is about to kick.
Understanding your horse and keeping them safe is a key priority. Horsebox insurance can help you do that when you’re moving your equine to the vets, to an event and so on – it is also a legal requirement.
Get a quote for horsebox insurance today.
Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) usually gets her summer coat quite early compared to other horses and ponies, but this year she has been holding onto hers for a lot longer.
Is it spring yet? It’s been teasing us the last few days, going from a few dry days when I could walk across most of the field and it felt like spring, to heavy downpours, including hail, which reverted the field back to a quagmire. I didn’t let it put me off too much, though, and I’ve now managed to get all three horses back into work! Eek!
I can’t believe it has only been just over two weeks since Freya arrived! She’s kept her calm temperament, although does have her cheeky moments with her being a baby, and now discovering what treats are (my own fault!).
Following on from the previous blog, Diva and I were taking part in a clinic held by Lisa Dixon of Freelance Equine – Trick Training and Horsemanship at Truesdale Equestrian Centre.