6 Things All Horses Hate
Here are 6 things that virtually all horses tend to hate (or at least strongly dislike), based on common equine behavior insights from horse owners, trainers, and experts. Horses are sensitive prey animals, so many of these trigger their natural flight response or cause discomfort.
1. Sudden, jerky movements or aggressive lunging by humans
Horses hate unpredictable or aggressive actions—like chasing them with a plastic bag on a whip or making quick, startling gestures. It screams “predator” to them.
Here are a few classic examples of that annoyed or “back off” horse face you’ll see when they’re fed up:
2. Tightening the girth/cinch too quickly or roughly
Yanking the girth up several holes all at once is painful and feels like someone suddenly squeezing your ribs super hard. Horses often pin their ears, bite the air, or even kick out in protest.
Check out these pinned ears—the universal “I hate this” signal:
3. Loud, crinkly, or unexpected noises (especially plastic bags!)
Plastic bags fluttering, crackling water bottles, umbrellas popping open, or velcro ripping—most horses despise these. The unpredictable rustling sounds like danger in their world.
4. Being kept isolated or bored for long periods
Horses are herd animals. Stabling them alone for hours (or days) without turnout, companions, or mental stimulation often leads to stress, pacing, cribbing, or other vices. They crave social contact and movement.
5. Poorly fitted tack or painful equipment
Ill-fitting saddles, bits that pinch, tight nosebands, or shoes that don’t fit properly cause ongoing pain. Horses can’t complain in words, so they show it through resistance, bucking, rearing, or sour behavior.
6. Being forced forward when they’re balking or scared
Pushing or whipping a horse that’s genuinely spooked or uncertain (balking) usually makes things worse—they plant their feet harder. Respecting their fear and building confidence works far better.
Here are some horses expressing that classic “nope, not moving” refusal:
Every horse has its own quirks (some even freak out over pigs or llamas!), but avoiding these six will make you a much more popular human in the barn. Read their body language, go slow, and build trust—your horse will thank you! 🐴
