05/10/2026
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฒ๐น๐น ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ?
Researchers based in Canada and Brazil set out to examine the frequent assumption that novice riders put less stress on riding school horses than those who are more experienced as a result of novices putting less stress on the horses as the exercises were less physically taxing . However, due to the focus being primarily on physical strain the impact of emotional (affective) state of a horsesโ experience is frequently missed. Riding school horsesโ affective state may be influenced by inconsistent cues from the rider or unskilled handling by inexperienced people . The study aimed to investigate how rider experience level affects the emotional state of riding school horses during routine interactions.
They Equne Facial Action Coding System (EQUI-FACS) which measures discrete facial expressions or movements that can be measured . These are based on changes to a horseโs facial musculature divided into separate expressions or Facial Action Units. Facial Action Coding Systems or FACS offer a systematic way of identifying and coding (measuring ) facial expressions built on the underlying facial muscle structures and movements . All FACS regardless of species are grounded in anatomy and record every possible facial expression not just a one context. These are discrete facial expressions and movements that are measurable (Wathan,2016), previous studies have used EquiFACS to identify pain , stress or other negative emotional states that horses may be experiencing. In this study it included facial action units such as exposing the tongue , lip parting , full eye blinks or half eye blinks .
The study involved 35 riding school horses (12 mares and 23 geldings ) ranging in age and breed . 7 of the horses involved in the study received regular ulcer or pain medication The horses were evaluated at five different time points during a ride and routine interactions in one novice lesson and one advanced lesson :
1. Before lesson preparation including in cross -ties
2. After saddling
3. After bridling
4. Immediately after the ride
5. After untacking
All stages of the process were videoed and the facualwere coded by a single blinded Equi-FACS certified observer .
Unexpectedly rider experience level did not influence a horseโs facial expression across time points.woth exception of lips part (AU25) which was observed more with novice riders or during interactions with novice riders .
Of note mares were more likely to display :
* Full blinks (AU 145)
* Half blinks (AU47)
* Lips part (AU25)
* Nostril lift (AUH13)
Whereas no differences were evident between novice and advanced riders in geldings . Horses with less experience at the riding establishments showed more nostril flares and oral behaviours than more experienced horses indicating decreased tolerance for inconsistent cues and handling whereas more experienced horses showed decreased stress behaviours . It is impottant to be aware that while increased nostril movement can be linked to higher stress levels and arousal they could be also be associated with the environment such as responding to scents , physical exertion or attempts to regulate their temperature .
Length of time within the riding programmes affected behaviour with horses with less experience were more impacted by inconsistent cues may be more challenging for them to process as opposed to more experienced horses who were better habituated to inexperienced handling and riding. Horses that had been in the riding school for between 3 to 7 years were more likely to chew (AD81) when ridden by a novice .
After tacking up the Horses overall facial expressions (FAUs) decreased and oral FAUs further decreased after the Horses were bridled . These included
* Lower lip depressor (AU25),
* Lips parting (AU17),
* Chin raiser (lifted chin) (AU24)
* Lip presser (AU24)
Directly after the ride there was an increase in
* Full eye blinks (AU145)
* Eye whites (AD1)
* Ears forward (EAD101)
* Chewing (AD101)
This was compared to during bridling .
Mares in comparison to geldings were more facially expressive overall and were more likely to display full or half blinks .
Medication did not appear to affect facial expression with the exception of ear flattener (EAD103) and lip depressor (AU25) which was more likely to be observed in horses who were not medicated.
It is possible that a shift in expression shown after riding (T5) may reflect relief or a shift towards positive anticipation such as going back to the field or being reunited with conspecifics .
This study further highlights the importance of accounting for multiple contexts when observing facial expressions and body language that may indicate emotional state
Read more below
Oberhammer, A., Copelin, C., Rabel, L., & Merkies, K. (2026). Behind the bridle: Understanding facial expressions in lesson horses before and after riding. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 106982.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106982
ยฉ๏ธ Jessie Sams Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service
