Yawning?

dwi

dwi

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Am i right in thinking that yawning is a sign of releasing stress?

I decided to give D a massage tonight after our ride as I had worked her quite hard. That and when we got back she caught her rein on the stable door and snapped it while I took her saddle off so she may have pulled her neck a bit.

She really liked one side being done and stood calmly. as soon as I went to start on the other side of the neck she nipped at me which is very unlike her. I told her to behave and carried on. She yawned constantly as I massaged her neck and then put her head right down to the ground and stood licking and chewing when I finished.

I don't usually massage her more than once or twice a week but I got such a response I think I might keep it going for the next few days.
 
i asked this question to everyone last week and i was told yes it can be a stress release but also a respect for their master as my boy does it when i go to catch him or leading him in from the field ! i just thought he was bored of me lol !!

but it can be like i was told a sign of reapect and knowing whos boss !!
 
well my horse had mild colic on wednesday and his symptons were pawing,yawning,chewing,shaking his head and also keeping his head close to the ground. So who know's what yawning is ment to be a sign of
 
Yawning can be a sign of stress.

I'd assume she yawned because you'd punished her for nipping you, she knew she couldn't do it so used yawning as a displacement behaviour. The licking and chewing can be a sign of relief...for example, in a natural environment, If a dominant horse has been putting pressure on a lower placed herd member, the latter will often lick and chew once the pressure has been released.

My gelding gets very insecure around meal times and will stand outside the feed barn yawning and waving his foreleg. He used to do the same when being tacked up (he was cold backed)
 
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Yawning can be a sign of stress.

I'd assume she yawned because you'd punished her for nipping you, she knew she couldn't do it so used yawning as a displacement behaviour.


[/ QUOTE ]

Would you have ignored the nipping? I didn't beat her, just a light smack on the neck and a "ah"
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yawning can be a sign of stress.

I'd assume she yawned because you'd punished her for nipping you, she knew she couldn't do it so used yawning as a displacement behaviour.


[/ QUOTE ]

Would you have ignored the nipping? I didn't beat her, just a light smack on the neck and a "ah"

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not telling you off, nor am I saying you beat her!! I'd probably have given a firm smack and a growl for a nip!

You asked about yawning, I pointed out it can be a sign of stress!
You told her off for nipping you...as you said, nipping is unlike her, so something was bothering her...she got told no...so could potentially be dealing with the issue (whatever caused her to nip) by yawning.
 
if you click on my previous post on yawning it was interesting to read
smile.gif
 
I've always been taught that horses yawn for the same reasons humans do - can be tired, bored or short of fresh air. Maybe the massage was making her feel sleepy?

As for nipping - my horse nipped me this afternoon - I chased him round the stable to tell him off and forgot about it - got home and looked later on and there is blood all over my arm and a massive bruise! 'Nip' (excuse the pun
wink.gif
) it in the bud!
 
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