Hello! I am Chika, and I teach horseback riding at Horse Camp Mongolia.
Have you ever been swaying on a horse’s back across the steppe when suddenly a loud “Brrrrt!” snort came from right beneath your feet, making you flinch and think, “Uh oh, did I make it angry?”
Because the sound comes from such a large body, it can be a bit overwhelming at first.
Rest assured! In fact, this “Brrrrt!” snort is in most cases a sign that the horse is deeply relaxed and feeling comfortable!
Today, we will talk in detail about why horses snort and how to tell the difference between a relaxed sound and a tense sound.
“Brrrrt!” Is the Horse’s Deep Breath! Proof of Relaxation
When a horse vibrates its lips and the skin of its nose to make a long, low “Brrrrt!” sound, it is very close to a human taking a big, deep breath and exhaling while thinking, “Ah, that feels good.”
- The moment tension melts away and they feel secure
When carrying someone riding for the first time, the horse is initially a bit focused, wondering, “What kind of person is riding me?” As they walk and realize, “This rider won’t act wild; I’m safe,” they let go of their tense shoulders and exhale with a “Brrrrt!” - Blowing away dust and debris from the body
When dry steppe winds or dust get into their nose, they sometimes blow air out forcefully to clean their nasal cavities all at once. - A sign that the rhythm of movement has settled
When walking comfortably at a steady pace, they naturally snort to regulate the rhythm of their breathing.
In other words, if a horse goes “Brrrrt!” while you are riding, it is “proof that your riding is gentle and the horse is relaxed.” It is a very joyful signal!
Warning! How to Tell the Difference Between a “Relaxed Snort” and a “Wary Snort”
However, even with sounds coming from the nose, there are cases where the horse is on guard depending on the situation. The key points for telling them apart are “the pitch of the sound” and “the stiffness of the ears and body.”
| 状態 | 鼻の音・呼吸 | 耳と身体の様子 | 馬の心理 |
| リラックス（安心） | 低く長い「ブルルルッ」 唇が柔らかく振動する音 | 耳が横や後ろへ柔らかく向き、首が自然に下がって身体の力が抜けている | 「落ち着いているよ」「気持ちいいな」 |
| 警戒・緊張（注意！） | 短く鋭い「フシューッ！」「ブフッ！」 鼻息が荒く高い音 | 両耳が前をピンと向き、首を高く上げて身体全体がピキッと硬直している | 「あそこに何か怪しいものがいるぞ！」 |
When they are making a sharp “Hiss!” sound, it is a sign that they are tense after spotting a dog or an unfamiliar shadow in the distance. At times like this, do not try to force them forward, and wait for the staff to calm the horse down.
What Should the Rider Do When the Horse “Brrrrt!” Snorts?
If the horse gives a low, relaxed “Brrrrt!” snort, please respond with the following actions:
- Gently pat and praise the neck: Put the feeling of “Thank you for relaxing” into lightly patting the area around the neck with the palm of your hand.
- The rider should also take a deep breath: The timing when the horse’s tension melts away is also a golden opportunity for the rider to relax. Let your shoulders drop and try taking a deep breath of the steppe air into your chest. The rider’s relaxation is transmitted directly to the horse through the saddle.
Signs of “Sighs” and “Head Shaking” Shown by Horses
In addition to snorting sounds, horses communicate various states through their breathing and head movements.
For example, during breaks or after riding, horses sometimes let out a long “Phew” sigh. At a glance, people tend to think, “Are they bored?” or “Are they tired?”, but this is actually a sign of complete relaxation where they are satisfied and thoroughly at ease.
On the other hand, they sometimes show actions of snorting while swinging their heads up and down vigorously. In most cases, this happens because the reins are too short, causing the bit in the mouth to be pulled and creating a feeling of constriction, or because they are trying to brush away insects like flies buzzing around their face. If they start shaking their heads violently, slightly loosening the reins to give their mouth some relief will often help them settle down and resume walking calmly.
Connecting with the Horse’s Heart Through Sound
Horses, which do not have human speech, teach us many emotions not only through their ear movements, but also through how they exhale and their snorting sounds.
If you hear a “Brrrrt!” from right beneath your feet, it is a sign that you and the horse are building a comfortable relationship of trust. Please enjoy the “conversation through sound” on horseback and spend a relaxing time on the steppe!
