Horse Sense


Most people think Horses don't communicate well but I stand to disagree. Horses like all other animals have their own unique way of talking to us or to each other. Its us humans who need to learn their language if we have to understand and connect with them... Riding at ALPHA is about connecting with Horses & Riding! So here are a few pointers to understanding these amazing creatures...
Sound Communication

Whinny – A rather loud, bugling and free sounding call that is one     
               of the most loved sounds horses make.

Translations – Hi, who’s that? Hey! I’m over here!

Neigh – A sound that is almost like a whinny, just a little bit                
            deeper.

Translations – Hello, can you see me? I can see you!

Nicker – The best and most welcoming horse sound in the world.
              The nicker is a low, rumbling sound that is made in the
              horse’s throat. You might hear this sound when a horse
              greets another horse – or you! - or at feeding time.

Translations – Hello, I missed you! Mmm, what’s that? It sure
                       smells great! Welcome back, I’m glad to see you!

Snort – A sound that horses make by pushing all the air in their
            lungs out hard through their nostrils. It sounds quite a lot
            like the snort you make when you are objecting to
            something except it’s a lot louder and more fluttery.

Translations – Oh, watch out! What’s that? I don’t like it! It’s
                        scary! Who’s that guy? He looks suspicious!

Blow – A big exhale, that sounds like your sigh, just louder and a
            lot deeper.

Translations – Is there anything new going on? Not much is
                       happening. Things aren’t so bad.

Squeal – A high-pitched, ear-piercing scream that is so loud that it
              can be heard from hundreds of meters away.

Translations - Hey! Stop it! Cut it out! Ouch, that hurt me! I’m
                       warning you, if you don’t stop that then I’m going to
                               really get mad!

Grunts and groans – These sounds are all kind of the same.                    
                                 Grunts and groans are often made if the        
                                 horse is exercising, being rubbed or                            
                                 massaged.

Translates to: – Ugg, this is pushing my fitness. Oh, that feels              
                          nice! Hmm, that’s good.

Sighs and sniffs – A horse’s sigh sounds just like yours only it’s                    
                             much louder. A horse’s sniff sounds like the                      
                             sound you make when you blow your air out of                      
                             your nostrils.

Translates to: – Uh, I’m bored. Mmm, I’m rather tired. Time to hit                                 
                        the sack. Life’s not that bad.

Roar – This sound is a mix between a neigh, whinny and a squeal.                          
            It has the deep, hoarse sound of a neigh, the loud,                    
            imposing sound of the whinny and the enraged scream of              
            the squeal. Normally you would only hear this sound                                        
            coming from a furious stallion.

Translates to: Get out of here right now!! You are trespassing on                      
                     my territory. I will attack you if you don’t get lost                     
                     immediately!!






                                                               Info Courtesy- Jessica

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