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SARGA.CO – Have you ever seen a horse suddenly “picking a fight” after noticing its favorite groomer or jockey petting another horse? That’s actually one sign the horse is feeling jealous.
It may sound strange, but it’s a real phenomenon. Just like dogs or cats that suddenly throw a tantrum when their owner shows affection to another animal, horses can display the same emotions.
For those who work closely with horses, these odd-toed ungulates have long been known to be emotionally sensitive, including having feelings of jealousy. However, a horse’s jealousy is a bit different from that of humans.
Humans usually feel jealous in romantic contexts. Horses, on the other hand, become jealous due to a Social Attachment Response. As herd animals, horses are highly attentive to who receives more attention within the group.
To a horse, attention from humans represents a sense of “secure status” within the herd.
A study conducted by the University of Rennes, France (2021) even provides scientific proof of this behavior. Researchers found that horses are capable of showing signs of rivalry.
This feeling is expressed by attempting to interrupt human interactions—such as pushing in or forcefully moving closer. It’s as if the horse is saying, “Hey, look at me instead, not that other horse!”
Fortunately, horses are relatively extroverted animals. They display very clear body language that can be observed when they’re feeling jealous.
One common sign is trying to separate. A horse may step right between a person and the perceived rival horse.
Another sign is a sudden increase in clingy behavior. The horse may stick close or demand physical attention in an aggressive or persistent way.
Jealousy can also be expressed through vocalization. The horse may appear restless and repeatedly whinny, as if protesting the lack of attention compared to another horse.
Of all these signs, the most concerning is aggressive behavior. In certain situations, a jealous horse may kick or bite another horse that it believes is stealing attention.
Beyond the signs and body language they display, this “jealous” behavior is strong evidence that horses are highly emotionally intelligent animals.
Horses can read body language, tone of voice, and even the closeness between individuals around them.
So next time you’re in the stable and a horse suddenly squeezes in while you’re taking photos of another horse, don’t be surprised. It’s a sign that it wants to be the star of the show too!
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