yawning !!

P

PaintboxEDT

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i think there was some sort of post on this a while ago ?

just wondering why they do it ?

my boy seems to be doing it alot lately,its not like hes worked hard and is tierd !!

when i go to catch him he stands there looking at me and yawns lol i do find it amusing but is there any reason why he does this is it because they are tierd ? sombody else said to me its because they are anxious ??

a silly post really just interested to know if my horse is bored of me already !!! lol
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Not wanting to worry you as I do not know how true this is, but I was told they yawn a lot when they have liver problems. Mind you ours yawn and are in perfect health.
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To help put your mind at rest before I answered your post with my reason for yawning I thought I would confirm with my husband if yawning was a sign of liver problems and after picking himself up off the floor LOL he said, absolutely not (He's a Vet!!) on a handling point of view of equine yawning I have always been taught that it is a submissive reaction to the horses master, it is in respect of what you are going to do next ie put his headcollar on in the field. My horses do it all the time when I am doing things with them and I must add they are very polite due to being disciplined (in a kind but firm way!!), so I don't think you need to worry in the slightest!
 
wow how interesting,my boy all 17hh of him has been very well disaplined and has manners to die for,since the age of 4(hes now 21) has been a carriage horse in comps and has flown all over the world ie america,spain,italy,germany.holland etc hes been further than i ever will,also he has driven the queen many years ago so yes i can see that this yawning is what you say as being submissive,im very happy to hear this as ive only had him since last july and we have a great bond,this has made me very happy to learn that he respects me as his master and i love him dearly.
as for stess my boy couldnt be less stressed if he tried he is nearlly always horrizontle lol !! and absolutly loving his quieter life he cant believe his luck lol
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It's not exactly a sign of stress, it can be a stress RELIEF mechanism. It often shows up when horses are treated for medical conditions, are massaged/adjusted etc, and when they relax into work. (Snorting feels the same as yawning.) It's actually a really interesting feeling to sit on a horse that starts yawning - you can feel the tension draining out of it.

Interestingly, the horses I've seen "use" yawning most obviously and easily are some of the most relaxed, agreeable horses I know - they clearly know how to manage the stress in their lives and release it in a benign way (vs the more obvious ways, such as bucking or shying). It's quite possible to "teach" tense horses to use the release and the difference in their relaxation and behaviour can be incredible!

An area of interest and one I've seen little discussion on . . .
 
At 17hh it is very important that he is polite and would not have been allowed ever to step out of line as a carriage horse especially for the Queen!! my horses are also very big but very respectful and so gentle from my training and discipline but they have no fear of me just total understanding which is how they should be in the same way the herd gives way to the Alpha horse - you as his master becomes that Alpha horse and that way it keeps us mere adults safe around them without being barged over or stepped on, so enjoy him with his POLITE YAWNING!!!!!
 
thank you i feel very reasured by both of your replys,he has always been a very relaxed and indeed happy boy who thrived on his work and couldnt have been owned and loved by nicer people who had him from a 2 yo untill i got him last july.

i will enjoy his polite yawning bless him and im just so honoured to
A)have such a well travelled and famous horse as hes also been in 3 films !!
and B) be lucky enough that to have found such a wonderfull well manered respectfull horse and hope that i will still be able to enjoy him for many more years to come !
 
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