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Where did the term pin your ears back come from?

Where did the term pin your ears back come from?

The idiom have one’s ears pinned back is an American phrase that came into use in the mid-1800s. Some say it is derived from the sport of wrestling and some say it is somehow linked to the emotional state of an animal with its ears pinned back, though both of these explanations seem rather dubious.

What does the term pinning your ears back mean?

“To have one’s ears pinned back” means to be chastised, scolded or verbally disciplined in a very forceful manner, or, by extension, to be soundly defeated in a contest or an argument.

Why do animals pin their ears back?

It is a mechanical act of “ear protection” used to prevent the ears from being bitten or torn off during a fight. Pinning of the ears is not only used when fighting but also as a threat signal to other horses of readiness to attack.

Why do mares pin their ears?

Pinning the ears protects them from being bitten off during predatory attack, or by other horses in a fight e.g. over valued resources such as sexual partners, since it is stallions that more usually fight in this manner. Ears automatically pin back whenever the horse feels particularly threatened or angry.

Why do dogs pull their ears back?

Your dog may move his ears back or flatten them against his head when he is feeling submissive, anxious or afraid. Ears that are held tightly pressed back signal a canine in a defensive position. A dog holding his ears in this way may aggress to protect himself.

Why do dogs put their ears back when they see you?

Ears down and back means your dog is being submissive, or that they are ready to be petted. This is just another casual ear position that he is listening, but not so intently that they are searching for something.

What is kissing spine in a horse?

Overriding dorsal spinous processes, or “kissing spines”, occur when two or more bony projections at the top of the vertebrae (dorsal spinous processes) touch or overlap. The exact cause is not well understood and many horses with kissing spines do not show any clinical signs.

Why is my horse grumpy?

Horses can become sour and misbehave for a variety of reasons, some of which can include pain, boredom, or simply that the horse really doesn’t want to do what is being asked of him, and he wants you to know exactly how he’s feeling! Basically, sourness is a negative response to what you’ve asked.

Why do dogs put their paw on you?

If your dog puts his paw on you, it can be his way of saying “I love you.” We pet our pups to show our love and affection. “By putting his paw on you whilst you are stroking him, he is further extending contact and reciprocating affection back,” writes Rebecca Forrest, an assistance dog trainer, for The Dog Clinic.

Why do dogs put their butt on you?

The other common behavior dogs will demonstrate is something usually called the “hip nudge.” A dog presenting their rear to you is a sign of passivity and friendliness. Dogs just want to show you how much they love you and be close to you. One other simple reason: they just want a good scratch.

What is a roach back on a horse?

Roach back, known also as kyphosis, occurs occasionally in young horses that grow rapidly. Typically, onset happens after weaning at six to nine months of age. The dorsal processes of the lumbar vertebrae are unusually tall, giving the animal a characteristic hump-backed appearance.

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Ruth Doyle