Lips like fingertips
A horse’s upper lip is one of the most sensitive and dexterous parts of its body. Packed with nerve endings and supported by highly mobile muscles, the upper lip functions almost like human fingertips – allowing for precise, delicate movements.
This sensitivity gives horses an incredible ability to:
- Sort individual seeds from a handful of grain.
- Detect and manipulate objects, such as untying knots or playing with fastenings.
- Search through feed, finding a single carrot hidden among chaff or hay.
The upper lip works together with the horse’s vibrissae (whiskers) to create a finely tuned sensory system. While whiskers detect objects before they touch the skin, the lip can then explore, identify, and select items with precision.
This explains why horses often use their lips to investigate new objects before deciding whether to sniff, bite, or ignore them. It also highlights the importance of never dismissing the lip as ‘just skin’ – it’s a key part of how horses interact with and understand their environment.
By recognising how sensitive a horse’s lips are, handlers can better appreciate why horses may react strongly to rough handling of the muzzle, tight nosebands, or sharp bits. Respecting this delicate sensory tool supports both welfare and trust.
The Happy Horse Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission
The Happy Horse Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission
