Do Horses Cry? Understanding Equine Emotions and Tears

Horses produce tears, but not for emotional reasons. Emotional crying is a uniquely human behavior tied to complex emotional processing. 

In horses, tear production is physiological. Tears are made by the lacrimal glands and drain through tear ducts, just as they do in people. Their role is to keep the eyes healthy, not to express feelings. 

So if your horse has tears in their eyes and you know it’s not from emotions, what could it mean? There are a few reasons horse eyes may produce tears. 

Tears play a vital role in equine eye health. They: 

• Keep the eyes moist 
• Wash away dust and debris 
• Protect against wind, insects, and bright sunlight 

Horses live outdoors and have large, exposed eyes, so tear production is especially important. 

If you notice horse eye-watering, it may be caused by: 

• Allergies to pollen, dust, or bedding 
• Eye infections such as conjunctivitis 
• Blocked tear ducts 
• Foreign objects, scratches, or trauma 

Excessive tearing often signals irritation or inflammation and should not be ignored. Your horse may need medicine for their eyes, like Terramycin or ofloxacin, to help treat an infection. 

Your veterinarian will be able to perform an exam and determine if your horse needs any kind of treatment. 

Yes. Scientific research supports that horses have emotions. Horses experience fear, stress, relaxation, and social bonding.  

However, equine emotions are expressed differently than human emotions. Horses rely on instinctive behaviors rather than emotional tears to communicate how they feel. 

Since horses don’t cry, it takes a deeper understanding of horse body language and expression to determine if your horse is upset. 

Key horse behavior signs include: 

• Ears pinned back or stiffly forward 
• Lowered or rigid head posture 
• Tension through the neck and body 

Changes that may signal distress include: 

• Withdrawal from people or herdmates 
• Decreased appetite 
• Increased anxiety or reactive behavior 

Horses may express discomfort through sounds and expressions like: 

• Whinnying, nickering, or unusual silence 
• Tension around the eyes or muzzle 

These cues are part of horse body language and are more reliable than tears. 

Tears can occur with eye pain specifically, but not emotional pain. 

Other signs of physical discomfort include: 

• Lameness 
• Colicking behaviors 
• Changes in posture or movement 

Any suspected pain should be evaluated promptly by a veterinarian. 

The best way to assess emotional well-being is to notice changes from your horse’s normal behavior. Knowing their baseline personality is key. 

Contact a veterinarian or equine behaviorist if you notice: 

• Sudden behavioral changes 
• Ongoing lethargy 
• Unexplained anxiety or aggression 
• Changes in eating behavior or habits 

Watery eyes may be normal after wind or dust exposure. However, seek veterinary care if you notice: 

• Thick eye discharge 
• Redness or swelling 
• Squinting or sensitivity to light 

Basic care includes keeping stalls clean, reducing dust, and protecting eyes from insects with fly masks and repellents. 

Horses can produce tears, but those tears are about eye health, not emotion. Understanding the difference helps horse owners respond appropriately to both medical and emotional needs. Observing behavior, body language, and physical signs is the best way to support a horse’s well-being. 

Always consult a veterinarian or equine behaviorist if you are concerned about your horse’s eyes, health, or emotional state. 

Do horses cry when they’re sad? 
No, horses do not cry emotional tears, but they do experience emotions. 

Can horses feel grief? 
Horses can form strong bonds and may show stress-related behaviors after loss, but grief looks different than in humans. 

Why does my horse have watery eyes? 
Common causes of watery eyes in horses include dust, allergies, infections, or blocked tear ducts.