This document provides an essay-structured illustrated report on equine communication, assessing several methods of communication such as chemical, tactile, auditory, visual, and an explanation for each accompanied by photographic evidence.
Create an illustrated report which explains the methods that horses use to communicate with each
other and the reasons why they do this
Horses can communicate with each other through intra-specific communication using visual, tactile,
auditory, and chemical communication methods. When horses communicate with each other, it is
beneficial in avoiding predators, locating food, asserting dominance, and the hierarchy in pecking order
within the herd.
Chemical communication method
A mare that is in season will release pheromones used in mating rituals to attract and maintain attention
of the potential mate. As a result, a stallion (or even a gelding) will respond by doing the flehmen
response to facilitate transfer of inhaled scent molecules into the vomeronasal organ (a specialized
chemosensory structure that is found in many other mammals) Mare’s will also demonstrate the
flehmen response (known as post-partuition) during foaling, smelling the amniotic fluid and the
newborn during the first few hours after birth. The primary function of the flehmen response is intra-
species communication.
Here is an image presenting the flehmen response. The feral stallion is curling back its upper lip exposing
his front teeth preformed with the neck stretched and the head held high; the stallion is identifying the
mare's reproductive status, occurring most frequently in the presence of a mare that is peaking in
estrus.
Auditory communication method
There are four types of auditory communication in horse vocalizations: Whinny, nicker, snort, and
squeal. The nicker, a quiet low-pitched vocalization, is heard when a stallion is courting a mate and
domesticated horses will also do this for food. The squeal, a high-pitched scream sound is vocalized to
denote a threat and inform the others in the herd of danger nearby. The whinny, a loud neighing sound
is used to locate herd members and inform another horse where the individual is; when an individual
horse whinny’s their bonded companion will respond in the same manner. The snort, a loud exhalation
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