Horses have some pretty quirky habits that can leave us scratching our heads and laughing at the same time. From strange faces to silly behaviours, here are five funny horse habits that actually make perfect sense once you understand why they do them!
1. Making funny faces after smelling something
You know that hilarious expression horses make when they curl up their top lip and stick their nose in the air? It looks like they’re laughing at a joke! This is called the ‘flehmen response,’ and it’s actually a very sophisticated way of analysing smells.
Horses have a special organ in their nose called the vomeronasal organ that can ‘taste’ scents. When they make this face, they’re transferring the scent to this organ to get more information about it. You’ll often see this when they meet a new horse, smell something unusual, or investigate a strange object. So next time your pony makes this face, remember – they’re not being silly, they’re being a scent detective!
2. Playing with water instead of drinking it
Some horses seem to think their water bucket is a swimming pool! They’ll splash with their noses, paw at the water, or even dunk their whole face in. While this might look like they’re just being playful (and sometimes they are!), there are actually several practical reasons for this behaviour.
Pawing at water might mean they’re checking the temperature or testing if it’s safe to drink. Some horses also prefer moving water to still water, so by disturbing it, they are creating the feeling that it is moving. Dunking their face also could be their way of cooling off on a hot day, or they might simply enjoy the sensation. If the water is dirty or has algae, they might be trying to clear it.
Ultimately, as long as they’re drinking enough, this water play is usually harmless fun!
3. Shaking their head like they’re saying ‘no’
Sometimes horses shake their heads vigorously, and it looks exactly like they’re saying ‘No, no, no!’ to something. While this might seem like defiance, head shaking usually has nothing to do with being stubborn.
Most head shaking is caused by flies or other insects bothering them around their face and ears. It’s their natural fly-swatting mechanism! It can also indicate a poorly fitting halter or bridle, an ear infection, or even allergies. Some horses shake their heads when they’re excited or impatient – like when they see their dinner coming! Pay attention to when it happens to figure out what’s causing it.
And if your pony has suddenly started shaking their head when they didn’t before, speak to an adult about whether a vet visit might be needed.
4. Following you around
Some horses will follow their favourite humans around the paddock, sticking close like a friendly dog. This adorable behaviour shows that your horse sees you as part of their herd!
In the wild, horses stick close to their herd mates for safety and companionship. When your horse follows you, it means they trust you and consider you a friend. They might also have learned that good things happen when you’re around – like treats, grooming, or attention. This behaviour is a huge compliment and shows the bond you’ve built together!
5. Nibbling or ‘grooming’ you back
When you’re grooming your horse, they might try to gently nibble on your arm, shoulder, or back. This looks like they’re trying to groom you in return, and that’s exactly what they’re doing!
Mutual grooming is how horses show friendship and bond with each other. In the wild, horses will groom each other’s necks, backs, and other spots they can’t reach themselves. When your horse tries to ‘groom’ you, they’re treating you like a horse friend and showing affection. Just make sure their nibbles stay gentle – you can redirect them to appropriate behaviours if they get too enthusiastic!
Every habit has a reason
What might look like silly or random behaviour to us usually makes perfect sense in horse language. Understanding why horses do these things helps us become better horse people and appreciate just how intelligent and social these amazing animals really are.
Next time you see your horse doing something that makes you smile, take a moment to think about what they might be trying to tell you. You might discover there’s a perfectly logical reason behind their ‘funny’ behaviour!
