Horses are intelligent, sensitive animals that pick up on sound cues in their environment. While some noises can be calming for them, others can be stressful or even frightening. Understanding which sounds horses hate and how to respond to them can help to keep your horse relaxed and content.
Noises That Cause Fear or Stress
Horses are prey animals, and so any noise that resembles a predator’s call can cause them to become frightened or stressed. The sound of a person screaming, shouting, or clapping can startle a horse and cause them to become anxious. Sudden loud noises, such as thunder, fireworks, or gunshots, can also be frightening to horses.
Noises That Disrupt Routines
Horses can become frustrated or anxious when their routines are disrupted by unfamiliar noises. This includes sounds like a car horn, a siren, or a bell. These sounds can cause horses to become agitated or agitated, as they are not used to hearing them as part of their everyday life.
Noises That Annoy Horses
In addition to noises that cause fear or disruption to a horse’s routine, there are some sounds that can be downright annoying to the animals. Constant, high-pitched noises like those from an air compressor, a vacuum cleaner, or a lawnmower can cause a horse to become agitated. These noises can also be distracting, making it difficult for the horse to focus on its tasks.
Noises That Startle Horses
Horses can also be startled by sudden, loud noises like a gunshot or a car horn. These types of noises can cause the horse to become scared and bolting. It is important to be aware of this and to try to avoid these types of noises when working with horses.
What To Do When Horses Are Afraid
If your horse is startled by a noise, it is important to remain calm and speak to the horse in a soothing voice. Talking to the horse in a reassuring tone can help to reduce its fear. Additionally, it is important to give the horse enough time to calm down before you attempt to work with it again.
Conclusion
Horses can be easily startled or agitated by certain noises in their environment. Understanding which sounds horses hate and how to respond to them can help to keep your horse relaxed and content. It is important to remain calm and speak to the horse in a reassuring voice when it is afraid, and to avoid any loud, sudden noises that could cause the horse to become scared or stressed.