The are annoyed.
having their ears pinned back is a horses way of showing aggrevation or annoyance. Unless there are flies, then they may be trying to prevent that. But mostly not a good thing when your horses ears are back
When a horse flattens his ears back, whether at a person or another aminal, means he is frightened or angry, and should never be ignored. This is a huge warning sign and if not heeded could result in serious injury to some thing that gets in its way.
It depends on the situation the horse is in. If the horses ears are swiviling back and forth and moving around alot they are more than likely just listening to sounds, other horses or you. If their ears are pinned back against their head and their teeth are bared (like a dog snarling) then they are upset or angry. Their tail may also swish around if they are angry. Horses pin their ears back as a warning to other horses or things they feel are a threat.
putting its ears back
If a horses ears are just slanted back hes either listening or annoyed. If they're pressed back then hes pissed.
A slight slant backward may mean the horse is listening to something behind him. If you are on the horse and the ears are slanted back, he is listening to you. However, a slant backwards is different from pinning the ears or laying them back against his head. pinning the ears means the horse is angry or threatened in some way. A horse can be very dangerous at this point and you had better know how to read his communication and know how to respond or you may get kicked or bitten.
ears forward-happy ears to side-content ears flat back-aggressive, in pain ears slightly back-listening behind them
If the horses ears are pinned extremely far back, their head is raised, their eyes wild, the horse is frightened and angry, trying to tell you to back off. This is dangerous for you and the horse. If it's gentle, relaxed, it's probably listening to the ride or whats behind it. Or half asleep. =)
If A Horses Ears Are Flat Against Their Head Is A Common Sign Of Anger And Be Threatend. If The Horses Ears Are Just Swiveled Backwards They Are Listening To Whats On Their Back Or Behind Them.
They are probably mad or ticked off about something. Or, they may be tired of doing something. If something is in their face and they slant their ears back, they are just being normal. A dogdoes the same thing when you get in their face. Either that, or they bite you.
He is upset about something.
If the ears are slightly backward then the horse is listening to what is behind them, they put their ears like this when they are sleeping as well. However, if they are flat back against the horses poll the they are showing that they are angry or distressed.