Equine Body Language

This horse's name is Matilda and she is sending a clear message to another horse to back away. If you are ever near a horse and they lay their ears flat back against their neck like this, move. Immediately. This horse is sending a warning and is about to bite or kick.

Horses speak to each other, and to us, with body language. Laying their ears back, flipping their tails and cocking a hind hoof, curling lips or flared nostrils are all signs a horse is agitated and will try to protect itself by fighting back. 

The only other way a horse will try to protect itself is by running away. As you can see from this photo, Matilda is not in a place where she can easily escape from the horse who is bothering her. Instead, she will revert to fighting, or at least threatening to fight.