We all strive to keep our horses content; but how to tell if a horse is happy? Of course they cant tell us whether they are by talking, but there are signs to look for to gauge how they are feeling. In fact, your horses behaviour can tell you a lot about their mental state.Signs to look out for include your horses body language, their behaviour in the field, as well as their behaviour in the stable and when you ride. Horses are constantly communicating with us and its our job, as loving horse owners and riders, to listen with our eyes and our ears, explains horse behaviour expert Dr Debbie Marsden.How to tell if a horse is happy: body languageDebbie explains 13 signs a horse is happy:1 Their nostrilsYour horses nostrils should be relaxed, soft and round. If they are unhappy, the nostrils become tight, thin and drawn.Relaxed, round and soft nostrils: signs of a happy relaxed horse2 Their lip lineYour horses lip line should curl down slightly in a relaxed, soft manner. If a horse is feeling tense, theyll be tight and drawn in this area.3 The lower jawYour horses lower jaw should be loose when they are feeling happy. Their lower mouth may hang down and you might also see the horse dribbling, a great sign that they are feeling happy and relaxed.4 The tailYour horses tail will be fairly loose and swinging freely and evenly when they move. In the absence of any injuries that affect where the horses tail hangs, it should be straight.5 Their earsThe loose drooping lip of a content happy horseYour horses ears are generally not something you should determine happiness from as they will normally point them in the direction of where they are feeling tense. If theyre pointing forward or back, your horse is probably concentrating on something in that directionHow to tell if a horse is happy in the field6 Rearing and pawingIt may look as though your horse is fighting, but rearing up with their front legs at another horse or pawing the ground are often signs they are enjoying themselves. Horses generally wont play with each other unless theyre happy. If they are galloping along the fence line, this may well be an indication that the horse is feeling stressed and unhappy.7 Looking relaxedYour horse should look physically relaxed while grazing and alert to the environment.8 Mutual groomingMutual grooming in the field is also a sign a horse is relaxed, healthy and bonding with another horse.How to tell if a horse is happy in the stable9 Regular droppingsMutual grooming is a happy signYour horses droppings should be regular and of a normal amount. When horses are stressed, they may not defecate, which is an indication they are not happy.10 Sharing a haynetIf your horse shares a haynet with a stable mate while theyre tied up in the yard, its a sign they are happy.11 A smooth bedYour horses bedding should remain largely in place, as happy horses arent restless in their stable. A stressed horse may pace around and box walk.12 StereotypiesHappy horses share hayStereotypies (vices) in the stable, such as crib-biting and box walking, are not something your horse will do only if they are stressed. They also release endorphins that make them feel happy, so vice-like behaviour could be a sign they are feeling excited. However, there is also a good chance they are unhappy about something, so dont dismiss stereotypies as being a good or a bad thing. Look for the root of the cause and then youll know what (if anything) you need to do to help your horse.How to tell if a horse is happy being ridden13 Breathing outWhen your horse breathes out through their nostrils and makes a soft snorting sound, its a sign that your horse is relaxed in the diaphragm while being ridden and feeling happy in themselves. A horse generally working forward with their ears pricked and taking in their surroundings is a good sign that your horse is enjoying themselves.Is your horse happy?A happy horse is (or should be) the goal of every horse owner. Of course there are setbacks, such as injuries and having to move yards, but generally speaking, your horse should be happy and content, which is largely done by you providing them with a safe home that fulfils all their vital needs (food, water, companionship, health care and freedom to move). I always feel that my horses are happy to see me, greeting me with pricked ears, a whicker (and kicking the door from one particularly impatient pony who just wants her breakfast). So if your horse is usually happy to see you, thats a job well done.Dr Debbie Marsden BSc PhD is an equine behaviour consultant and considered one of the worlds leading experts in her field. She is available by phone and to visit yards to assist with horse behaviour problems.Find out moreImages: copyright ShutterstockRelated contentWhat ear positions can tell you about a horses moodCan you read your horses body language?6 things you need to know about horse communicationWhy its unfair to write off an in-season mare as being moodyHow to take care of a horseThe post How to tell if a horse is happy appeared first on Your Horse.