Instructions
Find the stimulus that is causing your horse to pin its ears back. When a horse pins its ears back, it is telling you to stay away. Mares pin their ears back more than male horses, but both do it. Also, aggressive horses pin their ears back more than other horses. Most horses flick their ears, but this is usually a brief reflex. Note what or who the horse is near when it has an aggressive reaction. It may be afraid of something.
Distract a horse that becomes agitated by an approaching horse. Bring the horse's attention back to you. Signal your horse to change gait or direction.
Stop all disrespectful behavior. When a horse bumps you with its head or pushes you when you are in his stall, it is trying to dominate you. If it tries this, command it to stop with a forceful "No." When riding, say "No" and then use an aid to change direction or back it a few steps.
Avoid hitting your horse. This may make a horse more aggressive, and most people do not have the intimate timing to make this type of correction effective.
Expose your horse to a variety of situations. You want your horse comfortable in many types of situations. For example, have it walk on the left or right side of a trail. You want it to trust you no matter what you are asking of it.
Act confident around the horse. Humans communicate to horses through their body language. Therefore, your body language needs to show your horse that you are in charge. Stand up straight when you approach your horse and sit up straight when you are riding. When you lead your horse, be firm.
How to Correct a Horse That Pins its Ears Back
Since horses can't talk, they use body language to communicate with their riders. Horses, weighing 1,000 or more pounds, can be dangerous, so it is important to pay attention to what your horse is telling you. A horse that lays its ears back is saying that it is the boss and is above you in the pecking order. This is a sign of aggression and can be dangerous for the rider if it is not handled.