What do the eyes of your horse say?

As horse owners, we would like to know if our horses are feeling good. And if they might want to tell us something. One of the ways to 'listen' to horses is by looking closely at their eyes. Do you know what each look of your horse says? And what should you pay attention to?

The eyes of horses are located on the sides of their heads. This allows a horse to see almost all around itself; it can't see directly behind itself. Such wide vision is very useful for a flight animal, as it can scan the entire surroundings even while grazing. It can quickly run away if a predator approaches. However, this good vision is not always practical for riding with horses, as a scary object or bush monster is quickly spotted...

Beautiful horse eyes

Horse eyes can provide us as owners with a lot of information. A 'soft' eye is a sign of relaxation. A horse that is comfortable has a calm, soft look. An open and friendly eye is a good sign. When a horse looks this way, it is also in the right mindset to learn something.

Staring and hyperfocus

A staring horse eye is often a sign of stress. Horses that feel uncomfortable, stressed, or anxious often have a very hard, unwavering focus on something in the distance. The muscles around the eyes are tense, often forming a roof or inverted V shape. Such a horse is usually very tense in its body as well, with a tight jaw and wide nostrils. A horse like this is sometimes almost unreachable. As a human, you won't always know exactly what danger lies beyond the horizon, so be cautious with this horse, as it may jump unexpectedly. A horse that stares off into the distance and is very stressed cannot be taught anything. It is therefore pointless to get angry or 'punish' the horse. Try to reassure a horse that is so upset and only continue training once the horse is relaxed again.

From staring to curious

Sometimes curiosity begins with staring. The horse stares briefly - for example, at a strange object - because it is surprised. This is normal behavior for a flight animal. But if there is nothing to worry about, that alertness quickly turns into curiosity and the urge to investigate. There is often still a roof over the eye, but the gaze becomes investigative rather than fearful. At this point, a horse is in a good mental state to learn something.

White in the eye

Sometimes you can see the whites of a horse's eye. What does that mean? First of all, not all horses have white in their eyes. If you see it, it is often a sign of unease or fear. But not always! In American breeds such as the Appaloosa, you may also see white in the eye when the horse is relaxed. You can distinguish between the two by looking at the rest of the horse: a relaxed body and a calm, relaxed hanging tail indicate that the white in the horse's eye is not a sign of fear or stress.

Depressed eyes

A horse that is mentally unwell is often also recognizable by its eyes. When a horse is depressed, its eyes are no longer lively; the horse often stares into nothing and also does not react much when something happens around it. Sometimes the eyes are also somewhat closed. It can be quite difficult to see this properly. Therefore, it is useful to not only look at the eyes but also to examine the whole horse carefully. Is the animal isolating itself from other horses, or does it still interact in the herd? Is the horse still interested in its surroundings and does it want to investigate strange objects or does it no longer react? Are the ears to the side and hanging (depression or pain) or forward? Is the horse still eating well? Horses that are depressed can be helped by improving management: more social interaction with other horses, more free movement, more roughage, or by introducing more variety in training. Be careful to ensure that there are no underlying physical problems. Physical pain can also be a source of depressed behavior!

Iridology?

Lately, there has been talk about iridology in horses. This involves examining the iris - the colored part of the eye. Differences between the left and right eye are also mapped out. The aim is to see signs in the eyes that reflect what is happening in the rest of the horse's body. The theory behind iridology is that all nerve impulses in the horse's body have an impact on what can be seen in the iris and its surroundings. This way, you can say something about discomfort, deficiencies, or stress a horse may be experiencing.

How do your horse's eyes look?

It is useful to know what your horse's eyes look like in different situations. For example, when it is relaxed or when it is sleeping. Many horses have their eyes half-closed then. Especially if the rest of the body and head are relaxed, that is often the reason for half-closed eyes. But be aware: half-closed eyes can also be a sign of pain, especially if you also see wrinkles at the bottom of the eye.

Body language

Eyes say a lot, but not everything. And sometimes a look can mean multiple things. Therefore, it is always good to also look at the rest of your horse's body language. For example, the head (high or low), the tail (relaxed, tight, or restless), the nose, the mouth, and the ears. By observing and developing a feeling for what the different signs mean for your horse, you can correct more quickly and give your horse a happier life.

Want to know more about the signals your horse gives? Read this blog about pain signals in horses.