Scientists have identified 22 distinct facial expressions in horses, offering new insights into equine behavior and communication. The study, conducted at an equine center in Winchester, Hampshire, used a computer system to track precise muscle movements in the horses' faces.
Researchers categorized these expressions into four groups: playing, friendly, alert, and aggressive. Playful horses often opened their mouths, similar to primates and carnivores during play. Other signs of playfulness included visible eye white, rotated ears, and a raised chin.
Aggressive behavior was indicated by a lowered head, flared nostrils, and raised eyebrows. Alert horses displayed forward-facing ears and increased blinking, often adjusting their head position to improve sight or smell. Friendliness was more subtle, with a pushed-forward nose being the primary indicator.
Dr. Leanne Proops from the University of Portsmouth, the study's author, emphasized the importance of this research. It provides a new understanding of horse behavior, potentially improving care and human-animal relationships. The study challenges previous assumptions about horse behavior, such as interpreting flattened ears solely as aggression or pain.
The research highlights that horses have a more limited range of facial expressions compared to humans or dogs. This is due to less emotive muscles. The scientists recommend careful interpretation of facial cues, avoiding automatic assumptions about a horse's emotional state.