Ears Softly Turned to the Sides
Look at the signal, then look at the whole horse and the situation around it.
NOTICE
The ears rest gently outward or to the sides instead of pointing strongly forward or backward.
The position often looks loose rather than fixed or tense.
WHAT IT MAY TELL YOU
This can be part of a quieter, softer overall picture, especially when the eyes, muzzle, neck, and body also look comfortable and at ease.
DON'T ASSUME
Softly sideways ears don't prove that a horse is completely calm, comfortable, sleepy, or relaxed.
Instead, ask: “Does the rest of the horse look as soft as the ears do?”
LOOK AGAIN
Take in the eyes, head, neck, breathing, posture, and overall muscle tension. Does the whole horse look loose and comfortable, or are other areas telling a different story?
Look for the overall pattern, not just the angle of the ears.
Research / Learn More
What research shows
Ear position changes with attention, activity, and context. A softer sideways position can occur in quieter situations, but there is no single ear angle that proves a horse is relaxed.
What it does not tell us
Sideways ears should not be used as a stand-alone test of comfort or emotional state.
Sources
- The eyes and ears are visual indicators of attention in domestic horses — supports reading ears as part of a larger attentional picture.
- The Effect of Stabling Routines on Potential Behavioural Indicators of Affective State — reviews ear position and movement as possible welfare clues while noting limits in the evidence.