why do horses yawn?

i always notice that pretty much all horses yawn before and after bridles have been taken off so it has got to be something to do with wearing the bridle.

i think maybe its to do with the noseband restricting the movement of the jaw so they like to stretch the muscles before and after. i think its like us if we're sat down for a while we liketo stretch when we get up because we havent been able to use some mucsles, so with horses they feel the need to stretch before and after they've had restriction to movement of the jaw.

could be a load of c**p, but thats my thoughts.
 
ozzie yawns whenever another horse comes near him in the field, he keeps his mouth wide open making yawning noises, eyes shut etc, gets closer and closer to the other ponio (who doesn't suspect a thing), and then bites them!
tongue.gif
 
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...the reason they yawn after exercise is because they are relaxing their jaws after having the bit in their mouth. Also some horses yawn before exercise, this is also for the same reason - but it rrelaxes their jaw before the bit goes in.

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LBO always yawns several times when he sees his bridle appearing & we always wait politely for him to finish - eventually he stops partway through the final one & remains standing with his mouth open, an indication that he is now 'ready'! lol
 
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