If a horse's hind end sinks down and the tail is down, what does this indicate?

When a horse's hind end sinks down and its tail is positioned low, this is typically a sign that the horse may be experiencing discomfort or pain rather than relaxed or preparing to be active. A sunk hind end can indicate weakness, discomfort in the hindquarters, or even a sign of distress, as a horse in pain may adopt this posture as a way of trying to signal their discomfort.

In contrast, if a horse is relaxed, you would expect its body to appear more at ease with a neutral tail position—not necessarily hanging low. When preparing to trot, a horse tends to exhibit a forward movement and an engaged hind end rather than a sinking one. The posture of a horse's hind end being lower suggests tension or issues rather than readiness to engage in activity.

Therefore, the sign of a horse's hind end sinking and a lowered tail is most consistent with the horse experiencing pain or discomfort, making this recognition critical for those working with horses in therapeutic settings. Understanding these body language cues can help ensure the well-being of the horse and the safety of interactions during therapy sessions.