A horse’s neigh may be unique in the animal kingdom. Now scientists know how they do it - Associated Press News
AP News
February 24, 2026
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A horse’s neigh is one of the most distinctive sounds in the animal kingdom, and now scientists have uncovered how horses produce this unique vocalization. A new study reveals that horses use a complex interplay of their larynx, throat, and airways to generate the iconic sound, which varies significantly among individual horses. This finding not only sheds light on horse behavior but also highlights the uniqueness of animal communication systems.
The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Western Australia, used high-speed cameras and 3D imaging to analyze how a horse’s vocal cords and air flow create its neigh. Unlike many other animals, horses do not rely solely on their larynx to produce sound; instead, they use a combination of muscles in their throat and neck to modulate the tone and pitch. This mechanism allows them to create a wide range of sounds, from soft whinnies to loud, resonant calls.
The study also found that each horse’s neigh is as unique as its fingerprint, with variations in frequency, duration, and waveform patterns. This uniqueness likely plays a crucial role in horse communication, helping them recognize one another and convey emotions such as excitement, fear, or contentment. The ability to distinguish individual horses through their vocalizations underscores the importance of sound in equine social interactions.
Understanding how horses produce their distinctive calls could have practical applications, particularly in fields like bioinspired technology and animal welfare
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Originally published on AP News on 2/24/2026