Have you ever watched a movie or a tv show and the horses nicker or whinny every time they move or are on screen? It’s almost like the writers and filmmakers don’t think you’ll realize it’s a horse unless it makes a noise.
I could name many well known shows and movies where this is done. In reality, horses are very quiet creatures. Most horses don’t make noise at all, other than when they call out for another horse every once in a while.
My horse is a little more talkative than others. I get a whinny every day when I go see him, nickers when he’s happy to see me or excited about his grain or a treat, or a groan when he’s rolling in the arena. But horses making a lot of noises like he does is not very common.
The other thing that doesn’t make sense is the noises they use. Most of the time they are completely inaccurate. If you listen closely, it seems like many of the sounds affects of horses, as well as others, are the same across so many movies.
If you’re not someone who is very familiar with horses, here’s an explanation of the most common horse noises heard from domesticated horses. You’ll begin to see the inaccuracies once you know the purpose behind the noises they make.
Whinny/Neigh
The whinny or neigh has a couple of different purposes. It can signal that the horse is excited to see his or her human, or another horse. It can also show a form of anxiety being away from other horses or a specific place, like the barn. They also might just be trying to get the attention of other horses.
Nicker
The nicker is a friendly greeting that can imply anticipation or excitement. It is also used by mares to call their foals back. Stallions also nicker at mares when they would like to mate. When a horse and human are particularly bonded, the horse will nicker at their human when they visit, feed, and more. My horse nickers when he gets treats, when I get off his back, when he sees me in the pasture, and when I bring his grain out of the tack room.
Snort
The snort can be used in a couple of different ways. The first way is to signal to other horses they are happy and playing with other horses. The other way it can be used is to signal danger. My horse snorts when he plays with his best friend. He has also snorted out on the trail when he is very nervous about something new, like people on show shoes or someone with an umbrella.
Squeal
The squeal can mean a number of things, but it is typically a sign of aggression. Mares use the squeal to tell stallions to back off. Sometimes it is meant as a warning, like when a new horse is introduced to a herd they use the squeal as a warning.
Groan
The groan can signal a couple of different things. If a horse is rolling or stretching, it means they are enjoying themselves and relaxing. If they are groaning while being saddled or doing any kind of work, it could mean they are in pain. My horse typically only groans when he rolls after a ride or after I take his blanket off.
So, are horses really that talkative in real life? No, but they do make a variety of noises and they do have different meanings. Now you know!