06/09/2026
🐴 Let’s Talk About Yawning in Horses
Yawning is one of those behaviors that gets a lot of attention because it’s easy to see and often happens during bodywork, chiropractic work, PEMF, massage, cranial work, riding, or even while standing quietly in the pasture.
The tricky part? A yawn is just a behavior, not a diagnosis.
What Can Trigger Yawning?
1. Nervous System Regulation
This is probably the most common reason we see horses yawn during bodywork.
When a horse shifts from a heightened state into a more relaxed parasympathetic state (“rest and digest”), yawning may occur along with:
* Licking and chewing
* Softening of the eye
* Lowering of the head and neck
* Deep sighs or blowing out
* Resting a hind leg
This is often what practitioners observe after massage, PEMF, cranial work, or other relaxation-focused therapies.
2. Jaw, Poll, and Hyoid Tension
The jaw, tongue, hyoid apparatus, poll, and upper cervical region are all interconnected.
Some horses will yawn repeatedly after:
* Dental work
* Releasing jaw tension
* Poll adjustments
* Hyoid work
* Bit changes
Almost as if they’re trying to reorganize how they carry their head and neck.
3. Stretching Behavior
Sometimes a yawn is simply a stretch.
Just like people stretch after waking up, horses may yawn:
* After a nap
* When getting up
* During grooming
* While standing relaxed
4. Gastric Discomfort
Yawning can also be associated with stress and gastrointestinal discomfort.
A horse that is frequently yawning while showing other signs such as:
* Girthiness
* Poor appetite
* Cribbing
* Attitude changes
* Weight loss
* Poor performance
may warrant a closer look at gastric health.
5. Stress and Tension Release
Not every yawn means relaxation.
Some horses yawn during stressful situations as well. Transport, training challenges, new environments, or social stress can all be associated with increased yawning.
Context matters.
What I Watch For During Sessions
When a horse yawns during a session, I don’t automatically assume something was “released.”
Instead, I look at the whole picture:
✅ Did the eye soften?
✅ Did breathing change?
✅ Did the horse lower its head?
✅ Is the body posture different afterward?
✅ Did movement improve?
✅ Is the horse seeking more interaction or walking away?
The yawn itself is just one piece of information.
The Takeaway
A yawn is the horse’s way of telling us something changed.
What changed could be:
* Relaxation
* Tension release
* Nervous system regulation
* Stretching
* Stress processing
* Physical discomfort
The key is observing the entire horse, not just the yawn.
Because in horsemanship, the smallest clues often tell the biggest stories. 🐴✨
HY 5 Thought:
“A yawn isn’t proof that something was fixed. It’s simply a conversation starter. The horse’s posture, movement, breathing, and overall demeanor tell the rest of the story.” 💗🩵
