Some examples of gesturing include:

Feigning to kick or bite

•        Cocking a hind leg
•        Swinging head around to bite at rider’s leg
•        Biting at stall front
•        Turning his hind end toward you when approached

Swishing tail or clamping

•        Repeatedly whipping tail with uncanny good aim
•        Wringing tail when being groomed or ridden
•        Clamping tail against buttocks when handled

Pawing

•        May be done to explore environment
•        Repeated pawing may express boredom/impatience
•        Young horses may paw to elicit play
•        Stallions may paw to indicate arousal
•        As a sign of agitation or illness

Chewing/Licking

•        As a relaxation response
•        To express submission
•        As a sign of frustration if done with aggression

Yawning

•        As a relaxation response
•        In response to work applied to the muscles of the head and neck to help process or work out the areas of sensitivity or tension