Let’s try mimicking horse sounds! If you were asked to imitate a horse’s call, what sound would you make? Many people raised in Japan might say ‘ヒヒーン’ or ‘ブルルル.’
Of course, everyone perceives sounds differently, so these are not the only correct expressions. Some foreigners may not interpret these sounds the same way.
In this article, we focus on horse vocalizations, exploring different types of sounds, what they reveal about a horse’s feelings, and how Japanese and English speakers perceive these sounds differently. Understanding these cues can help deepen your connection with horses and improve communication.
Interesting Meanings Behind the Sounds
Just like humans communicate with a common language, horses also communicate with each other through vocalizations. Horse enthusiasts often wonder if they could talk with horses to understand them better.
While actual conversation is difficult, understanding the meaning behind horse sounds is possible. Here, we introduce what the main sounds ‘ヒヒーン’ (neigh), ‘ブルルル’ (brr), and ‘ヒィーン！’ (whinny) reveal about a horse’s emotions.
‘ヒヒーン’
The ‘ヒヒーン’ sound is almost synonymous with horse calls. It typically features a loud volume and a long duration.
This sound usually occurs when horses are far apart and want to call their companions or signal their location. It’s called a whinny, and at riding clubs, you might see horses calling their friends or staff out of loneliness.
‘ブルルル’
This sound appears when horses are requesting food. When feeding time approaches or a treat like carrots or sugar cubes appears, horses will make this sound while nostrils flare, encouraging the handler.
It can also express excitement or relaxation.
‘ヒィーン！’
A higher-pitched, longer ‘ヒィーン’ indicates a displeased horse. It signals intimidation or an attempt to keep others away.
When hearing this, avoid approaching the horse and watch for signs like ears pinned back, eyes rolling, or bared teeth—indications of anger. Keep your distance to prevent bites until the horse calms down.
Listen to Horse Sounds!
Few people keep horses or are close to horses, so hearing their vocalizations firsthand can be rare. Not everyone has heard all the types of sounds they make.
Since horse sounds are expressions of their feelings, if the timing is right, even visitors to riding clubs might get to hear these sounds. However, waiting hours for the chance is likely.
For those interested in hearing horse sounds, YouTube and sound effect sites are great resources. YouTube offers a variety of videos, including adorable horse clips. You can listen to the sounds and observe their behaviors and expressions, gaining a better understanding of their feelings.
Some useful links include:
- Horse sounds on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re6ptFaavdo
- Sound Effects Lab: https://soundeffect-lab.info/sound/animal/
- Zebra sounds on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiAJ5dxC5LI&t=1s
In addition to videos, sound effect sites offer a wide range of animal sounds, including horses. You can listen to sounds like ‘ヒヒーン’ (neigh), ‘ブヒヒン’ (oink), and ‘ブルルル’ (brr).
Expressing Horse Sounds in English
Animal vocalizations are notably different in Japanese and English. For example, a dog’s bark is ‘ワンワン’ in Japanese but ‘woof’ or ‘bark’ in English. A rooster’s crow is ‘コケコッコー’ versus ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’; both are how native speakers express these sounds, which differ greatly in pronunciation and perception.
Specifically for horses, the call ‘ヒヒーン’ is expressed as ‘neigh’ in English. The cheerful sound ‘ヒンヒン’ is expressed as ‘whinny.’
This shows a significant difference between Japanese and English in representing horse sounds. Interestingly, the sound of hooves, often depicted as ‘パカパカ,’ is represented in English as ‘clip-clop.’ Although these are written differently, repeating these sounds aloud can make them feel similar, so try it out!
Summary
Overall, horse vocalizations are a way for them to express their emotions and feelings, akin to words for humans. While we can’t have conversations directly, understanding their sounds helps us interpret their moods.
You can listen to real horse sounds on YouTube, observe their behaviors, and enjoy communicating with them effectively.
Note that Japanese and English expressions of horse sounds differ. Enjoy comparing and listening to these sounds in different languages to see how they match or differ.