English
Do horses cry? While horses do not shed tears in the same way humans do, horses can form strong bonds and attachments, and they do respond to changes in their social or physical environment. However, these responses are expressed through behavior, body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, and changes in activity or appetite rather than through emotional tears. [1][2][3]
With that being said, horse eyes do secrete saline tears much like other animals, including humans. Since they also show signs of emotion, many owners may wonder whether their horse’s tears reflect sadness, pain, stress, or another emotional experience.
In most cases, watery eyes in horses are related to normal eye function or an underlying eye health concern rather than emotion. Understanding why horses produce tears and how they express emotional states can help owners recognize when tearing may be a harmless physiological response and when it warrants veterinary attention.
Crying in Horses
Horses produce tears, but there is no evidence that they cry in response to sadness, grief, happiness, or other emotions the way humans do. While horses can experience a range of emotional states, researchers have not observed emotional responses that cause horses to shed tears. [4]
In horses, tears are produced primarily to lubricate and protect the eyes. The tear film helps keep the surface of the eye moist, removes debris, and provides a protective barrier against irritation and infection. [5]
As a result, tears running down a horse’s face are usually associated with normal eye function or an underlying eye condition rather than an emotional response.
Horses experiencing stress, fear, pain, grief, or social distress are more likely to show changes in appetite, activity level, vocalizations, social interactions, facial expression, or body language.
What's your top priority with your horse's health?
What's your top priority with your horse's health?
Emotions in Horses
Research suggests that horses experience both positive and negative emotional states. As highly social animals, they form strong bonds with herd mates and respond to changes in their social and physical environments. [2][6][7]
Positive emotional states may occur during activities such as grazing, social grooming, play, and interactions with familiar companions. Negative emotional states are associated with fear, stress, pain, social isolation, environmental changes, and other stressors. [1]
Because horses cannot verbally communicate their emotional state, owners and researchers rely on behavioral and physical cues to assess their well being.
Signs of Positive Emotional States
Horses in positive emotional states often display relaxed body language and engage in positive social interactions.
While individual behaviors vary, the following signs may indicate that a horse is calm, content, or enjoying a positive experience:
- Relaxed posture
- Soft eyes and facial muscles
- Social grooming
- Resting comfortably near herd mates
- Playful behavior
- Willing engagement with people or companions
These signs are most useful when interpreted in the context of the horse’s normal temperament, environment, and routine.
Signs of Negative Emotional States
Fear, stress, frustration, pain, and social isolation can all affect a horse’s emotional well being.
Horses in negative emotional states may exhibit some of the following behavioral and physical changes: [8][9]
- Increased vigilance or alertness
- Social withdrawal
- Reduced appetite
- Restlessness or repetitive behaviors
- Increased reactivity
- Changes in facial expression or body posture
Horses communicate emotional states through body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, and social interactions. Ear position, head carriage, muscle tension, eye shape, and interactions with herd mates can all provide clues about how a horse is responding to its environment. [1][10]
Because every horse is different, changes in an individual horse’s normal behavior are often the most reliable indicator that something is affecting their physical or emotional well being. Owners should take behavioral changes seriously, as they may indicate a medical problem, environmental stressor, or other welfare concern.
Tears vs. Emotional Distress in Horses
Because horses can show both visible tears and emotional responses, owners may assume their horse with watery eyes may be sad, grieving, or stressed. However, these signs should be interpreted separately.
Tears are usually related to eye function or irritation, while emotional distress is expressed through behavior, posture, facial expression, and social interaction. [2][5][8]
A horse in emotional distress may seem withdrawn, unusually alert, reactive, restless, or less interested in feed, companions, or normal activities. These changes can occur in response to pain, fear, social isolation, environmental stress, or the loss of a familiar companion. [3][6][8]
Watery eyes in horses usually indicate eye irritation or an underlying eye health problem, such as allergies, blocked tear ducts, inflammation, or injury. [3][6][8]
Owners should avoid using tears alone as a measure of a horse’s emotional state. A horse can be stressed or grieving without tearing, and a horse with tears running down the face may not be emotionally distressed.
The most useful approach is to assess the whole horse, including their behavior, appetite, posture, social interactions, facial expression, and any signs of eye discomfort.
Table 1. Emotional distress signs vs. eye-related tearing in horses
| Sign | More likely related to emotional distress | More likely related to eye health |
|---|---|---|
| Social withdrawal | May occur with stress, pain, isolation, or grief-like distress | Not usually a direct sign of an eye problem |
| Reduced appetite | May indicate stress, pain, illness, or environmental change | May occur indirectly if an eye condition is painful or part of a broader illness |
| Increased vigilance or reactivity | May reflect fear, stress, uncertainty, or discomfort | Not usually caused by tearing alone |
| Changes in vocalization | May reflect social separation, anticipation, or emotional arousal | Not a typical sign of eye disease |
| Excessive tearing | Not considered evidence of emotional crying in horses | May indicate irritation, blocked tear ducts, inflammation, injury, or infection |
| Squinting or holding the eye closed | May indicate pain or distress | Often suggests eye pain and should prompt veterinary attention |
| Rubbing the eye | May occur with general discomfort | Often suggests irritation, insects, injury, or inflammation around the eye |
If a horse shows persistent changes in behavior, owners should investigate possible physical, social, or environmental causes. Eye-related signs such as squinting, swelling, redness, discharge, cloudiness, or rubbing warrant veterinary attention. [11][12][13]
Causes of Watery Eyes in Horses
Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands in horses and play an important role in maintaining eye health.
Tears serve the following functions in the horse’s eye: [5][14]
- Lubricate the surface of the eye
- Remove dust and debris
- Protect against irritation and infection
Normally, tears drain through the nasolacrimal ducts into the nasal cavity. [5][14]
When a horse’s eyes become irritated or the tear drainage system is disrupted, tear production may increase or tears may accumulate and overflow onto the horse’s face. As a result, watery eyes are often a sign of an underlying eye condition affecting the eye or surrounding structures.
Dust & Environmental Irritants
Horses are frequently exposed to dust, pollen, hay particles, bedding materials, and other environmental irritants.
These particles can irritate the surface of the eye, especially in dry, dusty barns or during seasons with heavy pollen. Increased tear production helps flush irritants away and protect sensitive tissues from further irritation.
Blocked Tear Ducts
If the nasolacrimal ducts become partially or completely blocked, tears cannot drain normally and may spill over onto the face. Tear duct obstruction can occur due to inflammation, infection, trauma, or abnormalities affecting the drainage system. [11][15]
A blocked duct may cause persistent wetness below one or both eyes, sometimes without obvious redness or pain. Veterinary evaluation can help determine whether the duct is obstructed and whether flushing or treatment for an underlying cause is needed.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the eyelids and covers part of the eyeball. Horses with conjunctivitis often develop excessive tearing along with redness, swelling, squinting, and ocular discharge. [11][12]
Conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes and can result from irritation, infection, allergies, trauma, or other eye problems. Because several eye conditions can look similar, a veterinarian should examine horses with painful, worsening, or persistent signs.
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers occur when the outer surface of the eye is damaged. These injuries are often painful and commonly cause tearing, squinting, and sensitivity to light. Corneal ulcers require prompt veterinary attention to prevent complications that could affect vision. [13]
Ulcers may develop after trauma, foreign material in the eye, rubbing, or other irritation. Horses with suspected corneal ulcers should not be treated with leftover eye medications, since some drugs can worsen certain ulcers.
Equine Recurrent Uveitis
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), also known as moon blindness, is a common cause of eye inflammation in horses.
Clinical signs of ERU may include: [16][17]
- Excessive tearing
- Red/bloodshot eyes
- Cloudy eye
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
Signs may come and go, which can make the condition easy to underestimate in early stages. Recurrent episodes can lead to permanent vision loss if not properly managed. [16][17]
Eye Injuries
Foreign objects, scratches, cuts, and blunt trauma can all trigger excessive tear production. Even small injuries can be painful because the eye surface is highly sensitive.
Because eye injuries can worsen rapidly, horses showing signs of pain, squinting, swelling, cloudiness, bleeding, or visible damage should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. [13]
Flies & Insects
Flies and other insects are a common source of eye irritation in horses, particularly during the warmer months. Insects may land on or around the eyes, triggering increased tear production as the eye attempts to protect itself from irritation.
Frequent fly activity can also encourage rubbing, which may increase the risk of injury to the eye or surrounding tissues. Fly masks, manure management, and broader insect control strategies can help reduce exposure and protect sensitive eyes. [18]
Allergies & Seasonal Irritants
Some horses develop watery eyes in response to environmental allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust, or other airborne particles. Seasonal increases in these allergens may contribute to eye irritation and excessive tearing, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Allergies may affect both eyes and may also be accompanied by other signs, such as nasal discharge, coughing, itching, or skin irritation. Reducing dust, improving ventilation, and limiting exposure during high-pollen periods may help some horses.
Dental & Sinus Disorders
In some cases, excessive tearing may be associated with dental disease or conditions affecting the sinuses. Because the tear drainage system is located close to these structures, inflammation, infection, or swelling can interfere with normal tear drainage and cause tears to overflow onto the face. [19]
Horses with dental or sinus disorders may also exhibit facial swelling, nasal discharge, difficulty chewing, dropping feed, or a foul odor from the mouth or nostrils. [19]
When to Call a Veterinarian
Watery eyes are not always a cause for concern, especially if they result from temporary irritation caused by dust, wind, or other environmental factors. However, persistent tearing or signs of eye discomfort should never be ignored, as eye conditions in horses can progress rapidly and may threaten vision if left untreated.
Contact your veterinarian if your horse develops any of the following signs: [11][12][16][13]
- Persistent or excessive tearing
- Squinting or holding the eye partially or completely closed
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Redness of the eye or surrounding tissues
- Swelling of the eyelids or tissues around the eye
- Cloudiness or discoloration of the eye
- Yellow, green, or white discharge
- Frequent blinking or rubbing of the eye
- A visible injury or suspected foreign object in the eye
- Sudden changes in vision or coordination
A prompt ophthalmic examination can help identify the cause of tearing, guide treatment, and reduce the risk of chronic pain or vision loss.
Table 2. Equine ocular symptoms that warrant veterinary attention
| Eye sign | Why it matters | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Persistent or excessive tearing | May indicate irritation, infection, blocked tear ducts, injury, or inflammation | Call your veterinarian if tearing persists, worsens, or occurs with other signs |
| Squinting or holding the eye closed | Often signals eye pain or sensitivity and can occur with corneal ulcers, trauma, or serious inflammation | Arrange prompt veterinary examination |
| Increased sensitivity to light | May suggest eye pain, corneal damage, or uveitis | Keep the horse in a shaded area and contact your veterinarian |
| Redness of the eye or surrounding tissues | Can indicate conjunctivitis, irritation, infection, trauma, or inflammation | Seek veterinary guidance, especially if redness is worsening or painful |
| Swelling around the eye | May be associated with injury, infection, allergic reaction, or inflammation | Contact your veterinarian for an exam |
| Cloudiness or discoloration | Can signal corneal injury, uveitis, infection, or other vision-threatening disease | Call your veterinarian promptly |
| Yellow, green, or white discharge | May indicate infection or significant eye irritation | Schedule veterinary evaluation and avoid using leftover eye medications |
| Frequent blinking or rubbing | Suggests discomfort and may worsen an existing injury | Prevent further rubbing if possible and contact your veterinarian |
| Visible injury or suspected foreign object | Eye injuries can worsen quickly and may threaten vision | Treat as urgent and arrange immediate veterinary care |
| Sudden vision or coordination changes | May indicate a serious eye or neurological problem | EMERGENCY. Contact your veterinarian immediately |
Supporting Eye Health in Horses
Good eye health begins with proper management and routine veterinary care. While not all eye conditions can be prevented, reducing exposure to common irritants and addressing problems early may help lower the risk of complications.
Management practices that support healthy eyes include: [20][21][22][23]
- Providing a clean, well-ventilated environment
- Minimizing dust in hay, bedding, and indoor housing
- Controlling flies and other insects around the horse’s face
- Using appropriately fitted fly masks when needed
- Checking the eyes regularly for signs of irritation or injury
- Scheduling routine veterinary examinations
Because many eye conditions can worsen quickly, owners should monitor for changes such as:
- Excessive tearing
- Redness
- Swelling
- Discharge
- Sensitivity to light
Prompt veterinary attention can help prevent minor problems from developing into more serious conditions that may threaten vision.
Nutrition Supporting Normal Eye Function
Nutrition also plays an important role in maintaining healthy tissues throughout the body, including the eyes. While diet cannot prevent or treat eye conditions, meeting a horse’s nutrient requirements helps support normal vision, immune function, and overall health.
Vitamin A is especially important for normal vision and the health of epithelial tissues, including the surface tissues of the eye. Horses typically obtain vitamin A from beta-carotene in fresh pasture and high-quality forage, but intake may be lower when horses rely heavily on stored hay or have limited access to pasture. [22]
Omega-3 fatty acids may also help support normal inflammatory balance and overall tissue health. These fatty acids are often discussed in relation to skin, coat, joint, and immune function, and may contribute to broader support for healthy tissues, including those around the eyes. [24]
Antioxidant nutrients and compounds also help protect body tissues from oxidative stress. Because the eyes are exposed to light, oxygen, dust, wind, and environmental irritants, adequate dietary support for normal antioxidant defenses may be beneficial as part of a well-balanced feeding program. [24]
Mad Barn’s w-3 Oil is an omega-3 enriched fat supplement that provides a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids along with natural vitamin E to support antioxidant status, healthy skin and coat, and overall condition.
A balanced diet, clean forage, appropriate vitamin and mineral intake, and routine veterinary care all contribute to long-term eye health.
However, nutrition should be viewed as supportive care, not a substitute for veterinary treatment. Horses with excessive tearing, redness, swelling, discharge, cloudiness, squinting, or signs of pain should be examined by a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about whether horses cry:
Horses do produce tears, but they do not appear to cry emotional tears the way humans do. Tears help lubricate the surface of the eye, remove dust and debris, and protect the eye from irritation and infection. When tears run down a horse's face, they are usually related to normal eye function, irritation, poor tear drainage, or an underlying eye condition rather than sadness, grief, or happiness.
Horses do not appear to cry tears when they are sad, even though they can experience negative emotional states. Sadness, stress, fear, pain, or social distress are more likely to show up as changes in behavior, appetite, activity level, facial expression, posture, vocalization, or social interaction. A horse that becomes withdrawn, unusually reactive, restless, or less interested in feed, companions, or normal routines may be showing signs that something is affecting their welfare.
Horses do not appear to cry tears when they are happy or experiencing positive emotions. A content horse is more likely to show relaxed posture, soft eyes and facial muscles, engagement with people or companions, social grooming, playing, grazing, or resting comfortably near herd mates. Because visible tears are linked to eye function rather than emotional expression, a happy-looking horse with a watery eye may still have irritation, a blocked tear duct, or another eye health issue.
A horse's eye may be watering because of irritation, inflammation, injury, infection, allergies, blocked tear drainage, or another eye condition. Common triggers include dust, pollen, hay particles, bedding materials, flies, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, equine recurrent uveitis, trauma, dental disease, and sinus problems. If the watering is persistent or occurs with redness, swelling, squinting, cloudiness, discharge, rubbing, or signs of pain, the horse should be examined by a veterinarian.
Tears running down a horse's face usually mean tear production has increased or tears are not draining normally. The lacrimal glands produce tears to protect the eye, and tears normally drain through the nasolacrimal ducts into the nasal cavity. If the eye is irritated or the drainage system is blocked, tears can overflow onto the face. Persistent tearing should be monitored carefully because eye problems in horses can worsen quickly.
A watery eye in horses is not always an emergency, but it can be urgent when tearing occurs with signs of pain, injury, inflammation, or vision change. Contact a veterinarian if the horse is squinting, holding the eye closed, blinking frequently, rubbing the eye, sensitive to light, or showing redness, swelling, cloudiness, discoloration, or yellow, green, or white discharge. A visible injury, suspected foreign object, or sudden change in vision should be treated as urgent. Early veterinary care can help prevent complications that may threaten vision.
Horses do not appear to cry emotional tears from pain, but painful eye conditions can cause visible tearing. Corneal ulcers, eye injuries, conjunctivitis, equine recurrent uveitis, and other inflammatory conditions may increase tear production or cause tears to run down the face. Painful eye signs may also include squinting, light sensitivity, rubbing, swelling, cloudiness, or abnormal discharge. A painful or injured eye should be assessed promptly by a veterinarian.
You can tell whether a horse's tears may be related to an eye problem by looking for eye-specific signs along with the tearing. Redness, swelling, squinting, rubbing, frequent blinking, cloudiness, discharge, sensitivity to light, or a visible injury all point toward eye irritation or disease rather than emotion. Emotional distress is more likely to appear as changes in appetite, activity, social behavior, posture, alertness, and/or reactivity. Tears alone should not be used as a measure of a horse's emotional state.
One watery eye in a horse often suggests a localized problem affecting that eye or its tear drainage system. Possible causes include dust or foreign material, a scratch or corneal ulcer, trauma, conjunctivitis, insect irritation, blocked tear duct, or inflammation around the eye. Dental or sinus problems can also interfere with tear drainage because these structures are close to the nasolacrimal ducts. A one-sided watery eye that persists, worsens, or appears painful should be checked by a veterinarian.
Both eyes watering in a horse may occur when both eyes are exposed to the same irritant or allergen. Dusty hay, bedding particles, pollen, mold spores, wind, flies, and poor barn ventilation can all contribute to bilateral eye irritation. Allergies may also affect both eyes and may occur with nasal discharge, coughing, rubbing, or skin irritation. If both eyes are persistently watery or the horse shows pain, redness, swelling, cloudiness, or discharge, veterinary guidance is important.
A blocked tear duct can make a horse look like it is crying because tears may spill onto the face instead of draining normally. Tears normally leave the eye through the nasolacrimal ducts and drain into the nasal cavity. If a duct is partially or completely obstructed by inflammation, infection, trauma, or another problem, wetness may persist below one or both eyes. A veterinarian can determine whether the tear duct is blocked and whether flushing or other treatment is needed.
Eye discharge in horses is concerning when it is yellow, green, white, thick, persistent, or accompanied by pain or inflammation. Clear tearing can occur with mild irritation, but abnormal discharge may indicate infection, conjunctivitis, injury, or another eye condition. Discharge that occurs with squinting, redness, swelling, cloudiness, rubbing, or sensitivity to light should not be ignored. Avoid using leftover eye medications unless directed by a veterinarian, because some medications can worsen certain eye injuries.
Horses do have emotions and can experience both positive and negative emotional states. They respond to social relationships, pain, fear, isolation, handling, environmental changes, and familiar companions through changes in behavior and physiology. Positive emotional states may be associated with grazing, social grooming, play, rest, and calm social interactions. Negative emotional states may appear as increased vigilance, social withdrawal, reduced appetite, restlessness, reactivity, or changes in posture and facial expression.
Horses may show grief-like behavioral changes after losing or being separated from a companion. Signs can include increased vocalization, social withdrawal, reduced appetite, restlessness, or changes in normal activity. These responses do not mean the horse is crying emotional tears, but they can indicate that the loss or separation is affecting the horse's emotional state. Persistent or severe changes should be investigated to rule out pain, illness, or ongoing welfare concerns. [3]
Horses show emotional distress through body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, behavior, appetite, and social interactions. A distressed horse may become more alert, reactive, restless, tense, withdrawn, or less interested in feed, companions, or normal activities. Changes in ear position, head carriage, muscle tension, eye shape, posture, and herd interactions can all provide useful clues. The most reliable warning sign is often a change from that horse's normal behavior.
Horse owners can support eye health by reducing common irritants and checking the eyes regularly for early signs of trouble. Helpful management practices include keeping housing clean and well ventilated, minimizing dust in hay and bedding, controlling flies, using well-fitted fly masks when needed, and monitoring for tearing, redness, swelling, discharge, cloudiness, or light sensitivity. Routine veterinary care also helps identify eye, dental, or sinus problems that may affect tear production or drainage. Prompt attention to changes can reduce the risk of chronic pain or vision loss.
Summary
Horses produce tears to lubricate and protect their eyes, but there is no evidence that they cry emotional tears like humans do.
- Watery eyes in horses are usually related to irritation, injury, infection, or another eye health concern
- Horses can experience positive and negative emotional states, but they don't express them through crying
- Signs of emotional distress may include increased alertness, social withdrawal, reduced appetite, restlessness, or reactivity
- Persistent tearing, squinting, redness, swelling, cloudiness, discharge, rubbing, or visible injury should prompt veterinary evaluation
- Eye health can be supported through dust reduction, fly control, routine monitoring, veterinary care, and balanced nutrition
References
- Phelipon. R. et al. Characterisation of Facial Expressions and Behaviours of Horses in Response to Positive and Negative Emotional Anticipation Using Network Analysis. PLOS One. 2025. View Summary
- Hall. C. et al. Assessing Equine Emotional State. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2018.
- Ricci-Bonot. C. et al. Grief-like Distress Responses in Horses after the Death of a Conspecific. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2025.
- Prabha. J. L. Tear Secretion-A Short Review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2014.
- Ollivier. F. J. The Precorneal Tear Film in Horses: Its Importance and Disorders. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice. 2004. View Summary
- Lesimple. C. Indicators of Horse Welfare: State-of-the-Art. Animals. 2020. View Summary
- Borda. L. T. et al. Equine Social Behaviour: Love, War and Tolerance. Animals. 2023. View Summary
- Bell. C. et al. Improving the Recognition of Equine Affective States. Animals. 2019. View Summary
- Fureix. C. et al. Towards an Ethological Animal Model of Depression? A Study on Horses. PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science. 2012. View Summary
- Briefer. E. F. et al. Perception of Emotional Valence in Horse Whinnies. Frontiers in Zoology. 2017. View Summary
- Gelatt. K. N. Disorders of the Nasal Cavity and Tear Ducts in Horses. Merck Veterinary Manual. 2024.
- Gelatt. K. N. Disorders of the Conjunctiva in Horses. Merck Veterinary Manual. 2024.
- Knickelbein. K. E. and Rogers. C. Ophthalmic Emergencies in Horses. Merck Veterinary Manual. 2025.
- Piccione. G. et al. Daily Rhythm of Tear Production in Normal Horse. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2008. View Summary
- McIlnay. T. et al. Use of Canaliculorhinostomy for Repair of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in a Horse. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2001. View Summary
- Paschalis-Trela. K. et al. The Prevalence of Ocular Diseases in Polish Arabian Horses. BMC Veterinary Research. 2017. View Summary
- Degroote. R. L. and Deeg. C. A. Immunological Insights in Equine Recurrent Uveitis. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021. View Summary
- Hendrix. C. M. Flies and Mosquitoes of Horses. Merck Veterinary Manual. 2025.
- Disorders of the Paranasal Sinuses in Horses - Horse Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Fasaei. B. N. et al. Investigation of Healthy Horse Eyes Microbiota and Evaluation of Its Antimicrobial Susceptibility. Equine Veterinary Education. 2025.
- Christensen. J. W. et al. Insect-Repelling Behaviour in Horses in Relation to Insect Prevalence and Access to Shelters. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2022.
- Manthe. B. N. An Overview of Vitamin Requirements of the Domestic Horse. Natural Sciences Education. 2013.
- Edward. C. and Hoffmann. A. Integrated Pest Management for the Horse Farm. AgriFutures Australia. 2007.
- Bronś. J. et al. The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Horses' Nutrition—A Review. Animals. 2026. View Summary
