Ears back grumpy face!

vick

vick

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Foalie is 9 months now, he's been doing the grumpy face at me a few times when i've been stood next to him or when he's been trotting up to me! Could he just be trying it on with me? Or could this be a sign of his temperment coming out? I dont let it fase me i just ignor it. He hasn't actually done anthing. Maybe i have overdone the tipbits?
 
Maybe he is just testing your reactions, to see what position you hold in 'the herd' perhaps?
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Some horses just have a grumpy face.

My 2yr old often looks like this:

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It bothered me to begin with but nothing has ever come of it. He is the least dominiate or bulshy boy going and apart from the ears he's never show the slightest bit of grumpy or aggressive behaviour.

The second I engage him in any way (look at him, speak to him etc) he prick his ears forwards.

The face seems to be his default 'bored' face - he does it in the field too when he's got nothing stimulating him.

Annoyingly he also does it in the showring when he's bored.
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He finds walking round (even at huge shows with grandstands- nothing fazes him) boring after 5mins and puts on the Grumpy Pony look.

If you're foal is being grumpy towards you then I'd def put him back in his place though- a firm step towards him to make him back away should be enough.
 
It's actually a submissive expression I believe and not aggressive in most cases (depends what else they're doing with their body language obviously). My wimp of a pony always did this - head low, ears back and my sister low ranking horse also does this when coming towards us for feed. He is about as aggressive as a lamb!
 
Im just a little bit concerned as mum could be aggressive. I think he's testing me. I don't think he's being submisive!
 
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front up to him and put him in his place! he is testing the pecking order between you and him!!

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Second this, he is testing you, stand up tall and make sure he knows you are boss
 
My mare is like that most of the time- a right grumpy old cow but its the only way i know she is feeling well!! If her ears are forward and she is full of cuddles...look out colic attack alert
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But this is only my mare. Too be honest at that age i think he is testing you. As mentioned in earlier replies stand up and be tall and square now, or you may poss have probs later down the line.
 
depends what else he's doing with his body language - I can't see why a foal would be trying to test you though. Be firm and assert your authority. i still am inclined to think submissive though. I think we often read the wrong thing into a horse with its ears back.
 
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depends what else he's doing with his body language - I can't see why a foal would be trying to test you though. Be firm and assert your authority. i still am inclined to think submissive though. I think we often read the wrong thing into a horse with its ears back.

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Yes I agree,ears back can mean different things, but it depends how the ears are back, all very small changes, ears back can mean nothing, but if they are pinned back sharply by the horse I see this as aggressive
 
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Nostrils slightly flared, i think he's saying get that apple out your pocket NOW!

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Yep, sounds familiar. One mare on yard pins ears back, nostrils flared, she is not happy! She wants something such as food usually when striking this pose
 
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