Facial Expressions of Horses Revealed as Facial Action Code System

The ability of animals to use complex facial expressions to express emotions and convey message isn't unique to humans. Chimpanzees, cats and dogs also use facial expressions and 'body language' in similar ways. One basic restriction is the number of facial muscles that can be used in various ways to develop codes and signals. Fish which have frozen faces and eyes, will obviously struggle to express their emotions. Perhaps that is why many people say that fish cannot feel pain. Without facial expressions or sound fish will struggle to express emotions in the way that we do. However, fish have complex array of body language and gestures which we probably do not understand.

There is a large dash of anthropomorphism in all of this. Humans tend to 'read' the faces of animals in similar ways to which they 'read' human faces. This probably leads to many incorrect interpretations. Another aspect is that cats and dogs imitate human facial expressions. This applies to so called contagious yawning. You can easily make dogs yawn by simply yawning in front of them. It also raises the issue of which animals are 'conscious' and whether all animals have elements of the 'within of things'.

EquiFACS

Recent research has confirmed that horses show their feelings using facial expressions involving the head, eyes, ears, mouth, lips and tongue. Horses also have highly evolved body language that horse owners learn to read and interpret. Posture, head position, tail movements and tail movements are also important. Scientists at the University of Sussex found that horses use an array of muscular movements, singularly and together and to create a set of facial expressions that other horses can read and understand as a form of sign language for their feelings and moods and also top convey 'messages' and communicate. Sometimes the facial expressions and combinations are nearly identical to those of humans. Others involving the ears are not shared with humans, most of which cannot move their ears.

The researchers compiled a directory of horse facial movements and developed a comprehensive coding system for common horse facial expressions. The coding system was named EquiFACS (Equine Facial Action Coding System). They identified 17 different facial actions that were used to create the 'language':


Basic Guide to Understanding Horse Expressions, Body Language, Feelings, Emotions

Read the Eyes

Read the Ears

Read Facial Expressions

Read Head, Neck, and Tail Language Signals

Read Horse Legs, Posture and Body Position Language

Body Language of Horses

The sign of delight and contentment
The sign of delight and contentment
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Potential warning sign of tenseness
Potential warning sign of tenseness
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Signs that the horse is troubled, stressed or concerned
Signs that the horse is troubled, stressed or concerned
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Sign of surprise
Sign of surprise
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Angry or disturbed
Angry or disturbed
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Signs of sadness and being troubled
Signs of sadness and being troubled
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Silly and Content
Silly and Content
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Signs of alertness and attentiveness
Signs of alertness and attentiveness
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Sign of submission and obedience
Sign of submission and obedience
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Learn what horse face expressions mean
Learn what horse face expressions mean
       Source: CCO Public Domain
Hey that was a good one! Pull the other leg!
Hey that was a good one! Pull the other leg!
       Source: CCO Public Domain



Horses use combinations of muscle pulls to create an array of facial expressions to communicate with other horses. Learn to read these facial codes.
Horses use combinations of muscle pulls to create an array of facial expressions to communicate with other horses. Learn to read these facial codes.
       Source: Public Domain
Facial muscles horses use to communicate their feelings and signals to other horses
Facial muscles horses use to communicate their feelings and signals to other horses
       Source: Public Domain
Many of the facial expressions of horses are similar to those used by humans
Many of the facial expressions of horses are similar to those used by humans
       Source: Koruko (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Body language and facial expressions are used as a language by horses
Body language and facial expressions are used as a language by horses
       Source: Pleple2000 [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0] via Wikimedia Commons
Ears are particularly important for creating signals by horses. Humans lack this ability
Ears are particularly important for creating signals by horses. Humans lack this ability
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
Learn to read how your horse is feeling by understanding their facial expressions
Learn to read how your horse is feeling by understanding their facial expressions
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
Humans tend to read too much into horse expressions that resemble those in humans
Humans tend to read too much into horse expressions that resemble those in humans
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
What does this mean?
What does this mean?
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
The mouth and lips are important for signalling feelings and emotions
The mouth and lips are important for signalling feelings and emotions
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
Horses may react to your moods and feelings. They can read your facial expressions and body language
Horses may react to your moods and feelings. They can read your facial expressions and body language
       Source: CC0 Public Domain
Many horse expressions are misinterpreted by humans who wrongly assume that the signs mean similar things
Many horse expressions are misinterpreted by humans who wrongly assume that the signs mean similar things
       Source: CC0 Public Domain