• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » News » Study Proves That Horses Can Understand Human Emotions

    Study Proves That Horses Can Understand Human Emotions

    Published: Nov 25, 2020 · Modified: Dec 1, 2020 by Katie Femia · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Can Horses Understand Human Emotions

    Do Horses Understand Emotion

    Humans and horses have existed together for thousands of years, and during that time many humans have felt a very deep connection to them. Horses haven’t just been used for farming and transportation over the years, but for quality companionship as well. Many horse owners feel as though their horses can understand them, and their emotions, in the same way that another human could. 

    This said, it is no surprise that many horse owners feel a connection to their horses on a deeper level, relying on them for comfort during difficult times and companionship during the happier times. Up until now, this may have been viewed as wishful thinking on behalf of the horse owner as no real scientific evidence has ever produced proving otherwise. 

    A recent study now shows that idea of horses understanding our emotions may not be too far fetched.

    Horses and Emotions

    Researchers from the University of Sussex and University of Portsmouth have found that not only can horses recognize human faces and expressions, but they can also understand the range of emotions human experience.

    Photographs of humans making various facial expressions would play a key role in the study. During the study, researchers used the photographs showing a variety of human expressions to the horses. They observed the eye movements of the horses to see how they reacted to each expression. When the horses were shown photos of neutral expressions, they did not show much of a reaction. When shown photos of angry expressions, the horses showed a similar reaction to being threatened or anxious.

    In order to control the study, the researchers showed the horses photos and tracked their eye movements before viewing the photo themselves. This way, the researcher would not make their own facial expression in response to the picture. During the test, the reaction of the animal would result solely on the photograph. 

    Professor Karen McComb from the University of Sussex feels that this study doesn’t just show that horses can read human emotion, but they can also retrieve the memory later. When the horses observed certain facial expressions, they could recall the expression when meeting the person again at a later time. This was evident in the behavior shown by the horse during the second encounter.

    Horse Study University of Sussex

    No longer do horse enthusiasts have to wonder if horses can really sense and understand what they are feeling. Thanks to researchers at the University of Sussex and the University of Portsmouth, we now know that horses are capable of understanding more than we may have originally given them credit for. 

    So the next time you find yourself wondering if your horse really understands you, consider this study. Keeping this study in mind can help you be more mindful of the negative emotions you exhibit around your horse, and can help you understand how their brains work just a little bit more. 

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    To learn more about how horses are able to understand human emotions, check out the study in full. You can read the full published study in Current Biology.

    « Horse Reacts To Donkey In The Funniest Way Possible
    Do Blanketed Horses Eat Less? Study Says Yes »

    Sharing is caring!

    28.9K shares
    • Share28.9K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Santana

      November 27, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      Is there any colleges that study horses? I'm a fanatic and absolutely love horses. I would love to go to college studying horses and build up my skills with them.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See
    • 17 Inspirational TikTok Horse Accounts To Lift Your Spirits
    • 5 Safety Tips For Horse Owners When Working With Your Horse
    • 10 Items Every Horse Owner Needs in Their Barn First Aid Kit

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    28.9K shares
    • 28.9K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy