Have you ever wondered if horses, those majestic creatures, are capable of shedding tears? It’s a fascinating question that reveals a lot about the unique biology and psychology of equines.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, horses are physiologically capable of producing tears. However, whether they cry for emotional reasons is debated by experts.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll look at the evidence on both sides of this debate, along with explanations of how horse eyes work and produce moisture. We’ll also explore fascinating facts about horses to provide helpful context.
An Overview of Horse Vision and Tear Production
Horse Eyes and Tear Film
A horse’s eyes are large and positioned on the sides of their head, giving them an expansive field of vision of about 350 degrees. This wide panoramic view allows horses to easily spot predators and scan their environment while grazing.
However, horses have a smaller range of binocular vision, only about 65 degrees, compared to humans who have around 120 degrees of binocular vision.
Horses, like humans, have a tear film coating their eyes to keep them moist and protected. This tear film is made up of three layers – an oily lipid layer, a watery layer, and a mucous layer. The lipid layer prevents evaporation, while the watery layer supplies moisture and nutrients.
The mucous layer allows the watery layer to spread evenly across the eye.
Horses produce around 1.2 ounces of tears per day. Tears are continuously produced and drained through the nasolacrimal ducts into the nose. This is why horses often have a runny nose – it’s excess tear drainage.
The continuous flow of tears helps flush debris and bacteria from the eyes and keep them clean.
Reflex Tears vs. Emotional Tears in Humans
Humans produce different types of tears for different purposes:
- Reflex tears – These are produced involuntarily to lubricate and protect the eyes. They flow continuously and make up the tear film coating the eye.
- Emotional tears – Also called psychic or crying tears. They are produced in response to strong emotions like sadness, joy, or pain.
- Basal tears – A low, steady level of tears present in the eye at all times, even when asleep.
- Irritant tears – The eyes’ response to physical irritants like smoke, onions, or dust. They attempt to wash out the irritant.
Some researchers believe emotional tears may release stress hormones and endorphins that build up during emotional events. There is still debate on whether emotional tears serve a specific purpose in humans. However, it’s clear that reflex tears are essential for ocular health and comfort.
Do Horses Produce Emotional Tears?
The Case That Horses Cry
While horses do not shed tears like humans when they are sad, there is evidence that horses may produce emotional tears in certain situations. Here are some key points supporting the idea that horses can cry:
- Researchers have observed horses with tear streaks down their faces when they are recovering from stressful situations like medical procedures or separations from herd members. These streaks seem to indicate real emotional tears.
- Horses have tear glands and lacrimal ducts anatomically similar to those that produce tears in humans. Their tear glands secrete protective tears to lubricate their eyes, and may also secrete reflexive tears in response to irritants or emotions.
- Certain hormones that lead to tear production in humans, like oxytocin and prolactin, have also been detected in equine tears when horses appear distressed, suggesting an emotional cause.
- In one study, horses had higher tear production when reunited with other horses after a stressful separation. This tear increase at moments of positive emotion also hints at psychogenic crying in horses.
While more research is still needed, the evidence so far indicates horses may have the anatomical and hormonal capacity for emotional tearing. Clear instances of horses crying have been documented by numerous horse owners and veterinary experts. So while they may not sob loudly like humans, it does appear horses can and do shed tears in emotional situations.
The Case Against Horses Crying
However, some experts argue that horses do not have the same neurological wiring to cry in the way humans do. Here are some key points against the idea of horses crying:
- Unlike humans, horses do not have the complex musculoskeletal connections between emotions and tear glands that allow us to cry in sadness, grief, or joy. Without these neurological pathways, horses may not cry in the same psychogenic way as humans.
- Horses have a much higher resting tear production rate than humans, since their eyes require constant lubrication. Some argue apparent crying is just this normal tear secretion misinterpreted as emotional tears.
- While horses have tear ducts, their tear glands release tears primarily as a reflex action to clear irritants from their eyes. They do not seem to associate tear secretion with complex emotions.
- Studies have found mixed results on whether hormones like cortisol or oxytocin are reliably elevated in horse tears during emotional situations. More definitive hormonal links between emotions and tears in horses have yet to be established.
Given the neurological differences between humans and horses, some experts caution reading too much into anecdotal observations of horses appearing to cry. They argue that without more neurological data, we cannot definitively say horses experience emotional tearing the way humans do.
However, the possibility that horses may have at least a primitive version of crying similar to humans remains open and merits further study.
What Experts Say About Crying in Horses
Opinions From Veterinarians and Biologists
Many veterinarians and equine behaviorists agree that horses do produce tears, but there is debate around whether horses actually cry emotionally like humans. According to Dr. Carole Webb, a veterinarian specializing in equine ophthalmology, horses produce tears regularly to keep their eyes lubricated, just like humans.
Tears contain antibodies and antimicrobials to keep the eyes clean and prevent infection. However, Dr. Webb explains that tear production increases when horses experience eye irritation or pain, such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, or eye injuries.
So increased tear production in horses is most often a reflex rather than an emotional response.
Biologists like animal behaviorist Temple Grandin argue that the emotional component of crying seen in humans involves complex brain processing that horses do not possess. But veterinarian Dr. Melissa King disagrees, saying, “I believe horses are capable of simple emotions like fear, anger, and joy.
When these emotions are strong, they are powerful enough to bring tears to their eyes.” King recalls treating injured horses who produced excessive tears, believing it was an expression of their pain and fear.
An Equine Behaviorist’s Perspective
Marcia Baczynski, an equine behavior consultant, provides an interesting perspective. She explains that horses communicate emotions like stress and anxiety through body language. Subtle signs like nostril flare, muscle tension, and eye white showing can reflect the horse’s internal state.
Baczynski suggests that horses may not need tear production to display sadness like humans – their body language says it all. She does believe horses are capable of grieving when a close companion dies. A grieving horse may appear depressed, lethargic, or distracted.
But whether horses’ grief involves actual crying is uncertain. Baczynski sums up, “We may never fully understand the complexity of horses’ inner experience. But carefully observing their behavior provides helpful insight.”
While the question of crying in horses remains somewhat scientifically ambiguous, the strong bonds horses develop with other horses and humans are undeniable. Just spend time watching horses interact and you will likely see many examples of affection, playfulness, and attentiveness that suggest a highly developed emotional capacity.
Fascinating Facts and Traits of Horses
Herd Animals With Complex Social Structures
Horses are highly social herd animals that live in bands consisting of mares (females), foals, yearlings, and one or two stallions. Studies show that horses have cognitive abilities similar to dolphins and primates, with excellent memories, communication skills, and reasoning capacities (which likely helps them navigate complex social relationships).
Herds have clear hierarchies usually led by dominant mares, and horses recognize each other by sight, sound, and scent – incredibly, they can remember the faces and voices of up to 50 other horses for years!
Research from top universities like UC Davis demonstrates that removing a horse from its herd causes extreme stress, anxiety, and depression. So providing companionship is critical for horse welfare.
Incredible Memories and Emotional Capacities
Scientists confirm horses possess powerful memories – they can recall specific movements after years apart from a past rider. Studies also reveal horses understand human facial expressions. Like humans, horses have complex emotions; they may cry for many reasons like grief, pain, or joy.
Footage shows horses shedding tear-like drops when reunited with previous owners or retiring from beloved careers. With their exceptional memories and social-emotional range, it’s no wonder the horse-human bond runs profoundly deep for equine lovers.
As science progresses, horses continue to astound us with newly uncovered evidence about their mental and emotional capacities.
Conclusion
While the question of whether horses experience emotional crying remains controversial, their capacity to produce tears is undisputed. Hopefully this article provided deeper insight into why the answer is so complex.
Horses are highly intelligent, social animals with amazing capabilities. Their potential range of emotions and inner lives is still being uncovered by science. One thing is for certain – horses have an abundance of endearing and special qualities that make them remarkable creatures.
