The meaning of a horse’s yawn is different from that of a human being. Let’s discover together the main reasons why it does so:

• Pain or discomfort: yawning can be a sign of discomfort, indicating the possible presence of colic, mouth pain or inner ear problems.
• Tension release: horses may yawn after being frightened or at the end of a work activity. They sometimes do so while waiting for food, as surrounding noises can cause stress.
• Sign of well-being: yawning can stimulate blood circulation and occur when the horse is relaxed, for example during grooming or while performing activities that it enjoys.

How to interpret them.

Since stress or well-being can vary from horse to horse, it is useful to observe certain signs in order to better interpret the reason for yawning:

• If the horse is relaxed: it will display relaxed muscles, ears that are upright but not tense, or slightly lowered at the sides. It may appear sleepy. In this case, yawning will be deep, long and infrequent.
• If the horse is tense or nervous: its ears will be upright but turned backwards, its gaze alert and its nostrils flared. It will yawn quickly and repeatedly over time.

When to worry?

• Short, regular yawns: these may indicate a physical disorder, such as gastritis.
• Short, frequent yawns accompanied by inattention: these could be a symptom of boredom.

Paying attention to the horse’s body language allows you to better understand its needs and ensure its well-being.