Horse nodding

by Mica Shibata
(Jordan)

Our mare was abused and we took her in about a year and a half ago. Slowly but surely, she began to trust us, and my boyfriend decided to bring her to a small stable where she could be trained, cared for and be socialized with other horses.

In the last several months, as she had a lot of attention put into her, she came out of her shell, became playful and engaged and taken on a new personality!

He plays with her when he comes into the stalls and whistles for her, and she'll pop her head out of the stall, when he keeps whistling etc, she begins to nod her head up and down and flaps her lips. She seems relaxed and like shes having fun, but I wanted to see why she is nodding and what it means?

Thanks a million.
Mica



Hi Mica,

I have answered this question already here http://www.training-horses-naturally.com/what-does-head-nodding-mean.html

In addition to the comments already given I would add to your situation that she has learned a behavior that gets her what she wants which is attention, she recognizes and is glad that this person is coming with the expectation that he will get her out of that stall environment! In case you were unaware, horses should not be stalled because it upsets their health and emotional disposition. There is an incredible amount of dust and ammonia particles in the air that is directly related to many illnesses in horses such as Heaves/COPD (no matter how clean we try and keep them). As well stalled horses are unable to socialize with their friends. They were never designed to be separated and live in such a way; we created this method for our own needs mostly.

Stalls should be used very sparingly and under short stints such as giving a special dietary meal, relief from bugs, grooming or recovery from an injury. Not to be put away for an entire evening. See our Facebook page where I took the Stall Challenge!

Elaine Polny
Horses by Nature