What emotion does a horse have when its ears are pointing back?

When a horse's ears are pointed back, it doesn't necessarily indicate a specific emotion. It's more of a physical response to something in their environment.

Here's why:

* Focus: Horses often point their ears back when they're paying close attention to something behind them. This could be a sound, a movement, or even a smell.

* Anxiety/Fear: If a horse is anxious or scared, they may also flatten their ears back as a sign of defensive behavior.

* Concentration: Horses may flatten their ears when they're concentrating on a task, like eating, grooming, or working.

To understand the horse's emotion, you need to look at other body language cues:

* Body posture: A tense body, raised tail, or pinned back legs can indicate fear or anxiety.

* Facial expressions: Snorting, lip-licking, or dilated pupils can also reveal emotional state.

* Context: Consider the environment, the horse's history, and your relationship with the horse.

In short, pinned-back ears are a sign of alertness and focus, but not necessarily a specific emotion.