Horses are exciting to watch, fun to ride, and a joy to spend time with. They come in many colors and a few sizes. These beautiful animals are talented at sports, hard workers, and like to communicate with each other and their human companions. But what are they saying when they make a particular noise? Let us explore this topic together! Here are seven common horse sounds and what they mean.
The 7 Common Horse Sounds
1. The Whinny or Neigh
Referred to as a whinny and a neigh, horses make this noise for several reasons. The biggest reason a horse tends to whinny or neigh is that they are excited to see a human or horse companion; it is their way of being welcoming. Horses also whinny or neigh when they are trying to catch the attention of or find other horses. Another reason a horse may make this noise is to help calm their separation anxiety when they don’t have another horse or a close human companion to keep them company.
2. The Nicker
A horse nicker is like a call for attention. Nickering usually happens when a stallion is trying to get the attention of a mare when it is time to mate. Also, mares nicker at their foals when they wander too far away. It is their way of calling the kids back to a safe distance so they can be supervised and protected. Stallions and mares sometimes nicker at their humans if they deeply bond with them.
3. The Snort
Snorting is thought of as a positive form of horse communication. When a horse makes this noise, they are letting others around them know that they are happy and content. Snorting is typically accompanied by other forms of positive communication, such as a swishing tail and a calm facial reaction. Snorting might occur when a horse gets access to their favorite treat, is being groomed, or greets farm animal companions that they see only occasionally.
4. The Squeal
A horse squeal is not usually a good sign. Squealing is often a sign of violence between horses. Females might squeal to reject the advances of males. When they meet strange horses for the first time, some horses squeal as a warning. Squeals are commonly heard just before a brawl breaks out between two horses. The bottom line is that squealing is almost always a sign of aggression.
5. The Groan
Groaning is not uncommon for horses. If the noise occurs while the horse is being ridden, training, or running and jumping, chances are that they are in pain. If a groan happens while a horse is being dressed for riding, their saddle might be too small and tight or painful for another reason. On the other hand, a horse might groan when rolling in grass, sand, or dirt, where they feel comfortable and relaxed. Groans could also signify boredom for horses stuck in stalls for long periods.
6. The Sigh
Sighing seems to be a noise that horses make around humans. They love to sigh while relaxing and being petted. They are also fond of sighing when they get professionally massaged. Grooming, sunbathing, and cuddling up to a close horse friend are other reasons you might hear a horse sighing. But just because a horse does not sigh doesn’t mean they are not enjoying their relaxing moments; not all horses sigh.
7. The Scream
Screaming is not commonly heard by horses that are living in captivity. However, wild horses will readily scream when getting into a fight with another horse or after being severely injured. Domestic horses are more protected from predators and natural elements that could injure them. They are also kept away from rival horses and horse packs. Therefore, they would usually only scream if they have excruciating internal pain due to a riding injury or illness.
Conclusion
Horses are generally quiet, but when they make noise, they are almost always trying to communicate. Learning about horses’ different sounds and why they make them can help you understand how a horse functions and how we can best support them as their human caretakers. Which horse noise is your favorite, and why? We want to read all about your thoughts in our comments section.
Featured Image Credit: Lenkadan, Shutterstock
