Dr. Chris Mortensen, an experienced equine educator and researcher, takes listeners through the complexities and nuances of equine communication in this podcast episode of 'Mad About Horses'. He explores the fascinating research related to wild equines, specifically the Somali wild ass, and their means of communication including body language, olfactory responses, and signals encoded in gene expression. He branches over to domestic horses and how they too communicate. Dr. Mortensen further explains how horses can identify and respond to human emotions through vocal and physical expressions. He stresses the imperative need to understand horses' communication tactics, not only for constructive training but also to ensure their well-being. Dr. Mortensen concludes by emphasizing the importance of gentle touch and positive vocal interactions in our engagements with horses, which he supports with compelling scientific studies.   Podcast Timeline 00:00 Introduction and Studying the Somali Wild Ass 00:40 Chemical Communication in Horses 01:41 The Role of Smell in Mate Choice 04:16 Introduction to the Host and Podcast Topic 05:47 Understanding Horse Communication 08:00 The Importance of Communication in Horse-Human Relationships 09:11 Recommended Reading for Understanding Horse Behavior 11:22 Understanding Horse Body Language 21:23 Facial Expressions in Horses 29:22 Vocalizations in Horses 29:50 Understanding Equine Vocalization 31:25 The Study of Horse Whinnies 32:38 Exploring Different Types of Horse Sounds 40:15 The Influence of Human Vocalizations on Horses 42:10 Understanding Aggressive and Affiliative Touch in Horses 44:50 Can Horses Indicate Choice to Humans 48:13 The Importance of Chemical Communication in Horses 53:50 The Future of Understanding Horse Communication 54:20 Final Thoughts Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠ Facebook ⁠@madbarnequine⁠ TikTok ⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ @madbarn ⁠ We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]