How do horses sense fear in a person?

Question

i was just wondering how horses are able to sense that someone is scared of them...i don't have this problem because i have a horse but people always tell others that are new to horses to be calm and not to be afraid because they can tell...

Answer 1

You give off a scent and mostly by your body language and the tenseness of your muscles when you are near them. There's a reason horse have such big nostrils, and it's for smelling. And as for feeling you on them, I'm always amazed at how people think they have to be so harsh to a horse, kick them hard and squeeze with all they've got. A horse can feel a fly land on their hairs and can twitch to get it to fly off. THAT'S how sensitive they are. Of course they are going to feel the tenseness in your hands on the reins and your legs alongside of them