Tip #28... Guess My Mood !

What Mood Am I In?

• Blinking - thinking, figuring out what you want, focused on you
• Licking Lips - thinking, figuring out what you want, focused on you
 

• Snort - nervousness, apprehension
• Sigh:  release of adrenalin,feeling ok and safe
• Nicker - happy to see you
• Whinny - greeting, where are you guys ?
• Squealing -excitement
• Blowing - apprehension, be aware

• Ears forward - very alert about what is up ahead
• Ears straight -  all is okay, happy, safe
• Ears back - listening or focusing on you or what is behind him
• Ears flat back - danger, anger, you better be aware and careful, decreased hearing ability

• Cocked leg - relaxed or ready to kick
• Stomping - frustration, anger
• Pawing - frustration, anger, preparation for rolling or laying down

• Head gets higher than normal - overly alert and nervous so be careful
• Head gets down a bit - relaxation and confidence
• Head gets way down - indication of oncoming buck.

• Leg cocked - contentment, relaxation, preparaton for a kick

• Tail swishing - aggravation
• Tail with a kink - fear and often precedes a buck
• High tail - excitement, often when new horses arrive in pasture
• Tail flattened or tucked in - frightened

• Sweating - stress or normal athletic activity
• White lather - extreme stress or overwork

• Stretched or elongated nose and neck and slightly open mouth - grooming enjoyment

• Wrinkled nose - annoyance or disgust
• Lip curled up toward nose (Flechmen Response) - smelling a mare in heat, smelling something different
• Lip movement up and down - called mouthing - usually by foals - indicates submission

• Jigging - bobbing head, tense body, quick forward motion -  anxious, impatient, in a hurry
• Rhythmic head bobbing - contentment, security, happy
• High rounded outline  - excited, tense, nervous, apprehensive
• Level outline silhouette - relaxed confident  

• Private parts hanging - very happy, relaxed

Smelling

Watch Out !

Listening to rider

Relaxed

Attention ahead & behind

Good Friends

Alert, Happy, Curious

Pretty Cranky !

Cocked Leg

        RideNYS.com

       Adventure Horse Riding in NYS

        by Mary Dixon