While horses may not have the extensive vocabulary that humans do, they communicate just as much through a multitude of physical cues and vocalizations. Horses are well known for their ability to read body language of many different animals and humans, but they also communicate through many sounds for different reasons. The one most people are familiar with is the iconic “neigh” sound horses are known for, but do you know what it means or why they use it? Despite this being the noise they’re most known for, it is far from the only vocalization horses use on a regular basis.
Types of Horse Vocalizations
The exact amount of distinct horse vocalizations is debatable, and each individual horse will still have unique characteristics in their voices and how they use it. Some horses are just more chatty than others, you may hear them calling for their friends or snorting up a storm all the time. Other horses may use their body language more, saving their voice for when they feel alarmed or excited. Even a horse’s pitch in their voice will vary for each individual, so if you spend enough time around them, you’ll probably be able to tell who’s talking without even seeing them.
It’s also debated whether some of these different vocalizations are actually the same, just in different circumstances or lengths. But for the most part, these are agreed to be the most common vocalizations you may hear when spending time with horses and what they might mean.
Neigh
The most widely recognized vocalization a horse can make is the “Neigh” sound used for many reasons. The sound is a long (several seconds or so), loud, almost shrill staccato type of sound that is often used to call out for other horses. When a horse neighs, they are usually trying to get the attention of other horses, such as other members of their herd or a mother alerting her foal to come to her.
Scientists have recently discovered that a horse is actually producing two sounds when they neigh, which makes them one of the rare animals capable of doing so. The first sound is produced by their voice box, or larynx, and is a lower pitched sound similar to human speech. The second noise produced at the same time is high-pitched and more along the lines of a whistle, but still uses their voice box by forcing air through it to produce the iconic sound.
Whinny
This is one of the more debatable horse vocalizations, as many people use the terms “whinny” and “neigh” interchangeably when describing the sound. However, others agree that these are two distinctly different vocalizations, with a whinny being a slightly softer, but still high-pitched sound used to call to other horses and friends who are a bit closer in range. A whinny sounds very similar to a neigh though, in the sense that it is a high-pitched, slightly staccato type sound but is often a bit shorter than a neigh vocalization and may be repeated a few times with obvious breaks in the sound.
Given that each individual horse is different and will have varying vocalizations, some horses may use more of a “whinny” while others tend to hold the sound longer, and the amount of distance also is an important factor in distinguishing the two sounds. However, given that both words are used interchangeably so often, you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong if you did so as well.
Nicker
A “nicker” is another very recognizable sound, though you may not have heard the name before. This is a low, smooth, vocalization that almost sounds like a soft chuckle, but the context in which it’s used varies widely. If you frequently care for horses, you will most likely hear this sound every time you greet them for the day, and especially when you bring them their food!
They also tend to make this sound when they appear curious about something or mildly excited, such as hearing someone new enter the barn or an intriguing noise nearby. This can also be used between a mother and foal either as a warning or to call the foal closer if they’re still nearby. If you listen carefully, you’ll find that most “neighs” and “whinnies” end in a nicker at the very end.
Blow
A “blow” is also frequently described as a “snort” though it is unfortunately not like when a human snorts mid-laughter. A blow is when a horse forces air quickly through their nostrils, making a sort of sneezing sound that isn’t actually a sneeze. It’s kind of like when you blow your nose into a tissue, so it doesn’t use the actual voice box but is considered a vocalization nonetheless.
This is a vocalization that is used in a wide variety of situations for a horse. Many may use it as a way of expressing frustration or disinterest, other times it’s used as a means of alarm or warning of potential dangers.
Squeal
If you have ever seen two horses who don’t get along interact with each other, you have almost certainly heard this sound. A squeal from a horse is exactly what it sounds like, a high-pitched, shrill noise meant to express anger and dislike of another animal or action being taken. It’s often used as a threat when there is about to be a conflict, so be on high alert if your horse makes this noise.
Snore
You read that right, horses love a good snooze just like we do. While horses don’t get a deep sleep nearly as much as we do, when they do get the chance to lay down and sleep they take full advantage. Not every horse snores, but many can be found and heard from far and wide making the sound when having a particularly good nap.
While this is not a full list of horse vocalizations, many horses are known and loved for their distinct personalities and forms of self-expression. Some horses may use different sounds in the same contexts, and that’s what makes each one unique. The one thing for certain is that horses are always communicating whether it’s vocalized or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do horses communicate with vocalizations?
Horses communicate through various sounds such as neighs, whinnies, nickers, snorts, and squeals, each expressing different emotions or intentions.
2. Is a horse’s ‘whinny’ the same as a ‘neigh’?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, though some consider a whinny to be slightly shorter and softer than a neigh.
3. Do horses have unique voices?
Yes. Just like humans, individual horses have unique pitches and tones in their vocalizations.
4. Do horses communicate only through sounds?
No. Horses rely heavily on body language, ear position, posture, and facial expressions in addition to vocal sounds.
5. Can horses recognize each other’s voices?
Yes. Horses can recognize individual horses and humans through both visual cues and vocal sounds.