Understanding the horse’s body language is extremely important to safely work around a horse. Observing body language allows a rider or handler to be better prepared for reactions from the horse or may prevent actions that will result in danger to the horse and handler.
Features to watch include head carriage, ear position, look in its eyes, flare of the nostrils and mouth, as they will provide you with indicators of what a horse is doing. Pawing, continuous body movement, head tossing, a wild or frightened look, ears laid back against the head, or attempts to bite are all signals of danger to the handler.