Not shaking head but "snaking" head..

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margaretb

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Not sure how to describe this but rather than shake her head, Poppy moves it in a "S" movement. She does this mainly when I call her and she comes to me. I'd like to think it was a sign of affection!!?? But knowing my luck!
 
My friend's massive warmblood does this, properly swings his head from side to side when he's excited etc, not just normally but he actually looks each way really exaggerated, nearly knocked her out a few times leading him to the field, never seen a horse like it!
 
Beausmate said:
She's not a bit araby is she? Does she sort of stick her nose in, tilt her head then flick her nose out and round?
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No, part welsh, she looks up, moves off then it's just like a she's writing an "S" with her head. Someone suggested defiance,but then why should she do it when I call her! She could just pee of in the other direction rather than come up!!
 
I've always known that a horse snaking it's head towards you is a sign of dominance and is moving you away. It depends what other signs your mare is showing. Ears back, neck low is what an alpha horse would do to a lower ranked individual in the herd to move them away or to move the herd on.

What is her else is her body language showing?
 
Tangled said:
I've always known that a horse snaking it's head towards you is a sign of dominance and is moving you away. It depends what other signs your mare is showing. Ears back, neck low is what an alpha horse would do to a lower ranked individual in the herd to move them away or to move the herd on.

What is her else is her body language showing?
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She has her ears forward, head and comes to me willingly.. happily!?, but then I may have a treat with me!

She sometimes does it when being lunged and is asked to go into a trot, that I can understand as defiance.
 
margaretb said:
She has her ears forward, head and comes to me willingly.. happily!?, but then I may have a treat with me!

She sometimes does it when being lunged and is asked to go into a trot, that I can understand as defiance.
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Crosses out my option then! :p

I have no idea then, apart from that it is just her "thing" that she does when she see's you...?!

Does she do it to anyone else or just you?
 
Welshies had alot of Arab blood used to 'improve' the breed, it sounds like she feels it more than most! ;)

I was once told by a friend that arabs shake their heads like that to put their brains back in place, because their brains are so small, they rattle around inside their skulls! Luckily I knew that she was joking. :p
 
my mare snakes her head on the way to the field if shes fresh or occasionally when riding, again if shes very fresh, seems an excitment thing, must be pleased to see you! :)
 
This is interesting as my mare developed a habit similar to this recently when coming in from the field with me, some new horses moved into her field, this has made her very stressed in the field - so in her case the snaking is down to stress. Just a fortnight until we move yippee!
 
My Welsh mare does this when she's excited. Either in the field as a cue for a leap and a gallop, or when tied up and anticipating an exciting ride ahead!
 
It's a sign of either excitement or dominance. If she does it on approach to you and has her ears flat back at the same time I would suggest the latter. My mare is very dominant of other horses and she snakes her head at them, but also does it when she is having a whizz around the field and bucking, but there is a clear difference in her facial expression! :)
 
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