HORSES have their own “language” with more than 800 facial expressions, scientists have found.
Researchers set out to unravel the mystery of the creatures’ long faces and find how they exhibit a range of emotions.
Aberystwyth University observed horses when they were friendly, angry or tense, attentive and playful.
They then analysed individual muscle movements, created a list of facial expressions among horses and matched them to moods of other animals.
During friendly interactions, horses pointed their ears forward and extended their nose.
To show dominance, they flattened their ears, dilated their nostrils and lowered their heads.
When horses were alert, scientists noticed they put their ears forward and increased blinking.
“Play faces” resembled primates and dogs — as horses opened their mouths, raised chins and had visible eye whites.
Lead researcher Dr Sebastian McBride said: “We found horses use a wide range of facial movements, which vary depending on the social context.
“What’s particularly fascinating is some of these facial behaviours, especially during play, mirror those seen in chimpanzees and dogs, supporting the hypothesis facial behaviours may be deep rooted in mammalian biology.”
Scientists indentified the AUH21 “facial tightener” movement, previously only seen in humans and gibbons. It could help vets detect pain in horses.
The research team also said the study would change how we interact with horses, “leading to better care and stronger human-animal relationships”.
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