What would your horse say to you?

At one time or another, you’ll probably have wished that your horse could talk and tell you what he really thinks of his new saddle, or whether he’s happy living at the yard you chose for him.

While horses can’t communicate with words, they can give us all kinds of feedback in different ways… if we take time to watch and listen to their behaviour. 

We’ve come up with just some of the situations your horse faces in daily life and highlight the important signs he might use to tell you whether his life really is a bed of roses, or if there’s room for improvement. 

These guys are mean

Providing company during his time in the field will help your horse feel safer and therefore more relaxed and happy. Not only that, but horses use each other to their mutual benefit, scratching their friends’ itchy spots, keeping flies away by standing nose to tail and enjoying some play time in between grazing and resting.

However, just like humans, horses have different personalities, so you can’t simply put him out with any other horse and assume they’ll get along.

Spend time watching your horse in the field to see how he interacts with others. If he avoids them altogether, or you see signs he’s being bullied, reconsider who he’s turned out with. Not only will your horse be unhappy but, if he doesn’t enjoy time with his pals, there’s an increased risk of injury.

My haynet’s empty

It can be easy to overthink your horse’s management, or focus on things that are nice to have, but really not essential. On the whole, horses don’t need too many things in life to live happily ever after. All he wants you to provide is…

• a balanced diet with adequate forage
• constant access to clean water
• shelter to escape from bad weather and flies
• space to move around
• company

If these needs are met, then he’s probably not too far off living the dream.

Did you know?

When horses perform a stereotypical behaviour, such as cribbing, it releases endorphins that make him feel better.

There’s a reason I don’t want to canter left, y’know…

Your horse most likely gets more health check ups than you do, in your attempts to keep him pain free and comfortable in his work. However, in between saddle, back and teeth checks, it’s essential to keep an eye out for early signs that something’s not quite right.

When you ride, keep track of what you’re feeling underneath you. Is your horse’s training progressing? Does he move forward freely? Is he very reactive when you put his tack on? Does he misbehave often, or is he displaying unusual behaviour under saddle? By spotting early signs of discomfort you have a better chance of sorting the issue before it escalates, so learn to read his body language when you’re riding him.

Did you know?

Discomfort under saddle can be caused by something as simple as a girth being in the wrong place, a numnah slipping or a headpiece that’s too tight.

I don’t like being too hot

When it comes to rug wearing, there are two types of horse owners – under-ruggers and over-ruggers.

The truth is, horses are pretty good at staying warm as long as they have shelter from rain and plenty of forage to eat, so under-rugging is preferable to over-rugging.

Here are some points to consider…

• Generally, horses can withstand temperatures as low as 5°C without a rug
• Older horses, ones who are clipped out and underweight horses are more likely to need extra layers in order to regulate their body temperature and not burn fat in order to stay warm
• Over-rugging leads to overheating, which can cause problems, such as skin infections, rug rubbing and excessive weight gain
• Allowing your horse some field time without a rug can help reduce the chance of a deficiency in vitamin D

Did you know?

When horses are cold, their hair stands on end to make a layer of heat insulation, which is why clipped horses may need extra help.

Top tip

Don’t judge which rug to put on based on how cold you feel. Horses don’t feel the cold in the same way as humans.

Top tip

If your horse’s stable has a window, open it for extra ventilation. 

Aaah, snoozy time

We’re all aware that it’s healthier for horses to have plenty of turnout time, but it’s possible for horses to enjoy their time spent indoors, so why not make his home as comfortable as possible?

Ideally, he’ll be able to make physical contact with others (once again, make sure it’s with horses he likes). He should have adequate space to lie down, good ventilation and a comfortable bed to lie on, as well as plenty of roughage to eat and water.

You could even add in some extra of entertainment, such as hiding treats in his haynet, providing toys or licks and scattering his hay in different corners of the stable to encourage him to move around.

I had fun with you today

Okay, let’s face it. Not every horse enjoys being smothered half to death with cuddles, but most enjoy having their itchy spots scratched or being groomed in their favourite places.

Mentally stimulating for horses (and for us), time spent together is time well spent, and it’ll do wonders for sealing that all-important horse/human bond.

Find a little time in your day and devote it solely to being with your horse. You’ll find it’s the best way to discover what it is he enjoys the most.