How to Sign "Horse"

To sign 'horse', bring the pinkie and ring fingers down flat against the palm, leaving the other fingers outstretched. Press the index and middle fingers together. Bring the hand up so the thumb is against the temple of the head and the fingers are pointed up. Curl the fingers down twice.

Examples Using "Horse" in a Sentence

1

I love riding my horse.

Sign 'I', 'love', 'ride', and then use the sign for 'horse' by placing your thumb at your temple and bending your pressed-together index and middle fingers twice.

2

Look at that beautiful brown horse.

Point in the direction of the animal, sign 'beautiful', 'brown', and finish with the 'horse' sign, making sure your thumb stays anchored to your head.

3

My favorite animal is a horse.

Sign 'my', 'favorite', 'animal', and then sign 'horse' by mimicking the twitching ear with your index and middle fingers at your temple.

How to Sign "Horse"
To sign 'horse', bring the pinkie and ring fingers down flat against the palm, leaving the other fingers outstretched. Press the index and middle fingers together. Bring the hand up so the thumb is against the temple of the head and the fingers are pointed up. Curl the fingers down twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'horse' is highly iconic and visually represents the animal. Your hand placement on your head and your extended index and middle fingers mimic the shape of a horse's ear. The double bending motion represents the ear twitching or flicking back and forth, a common behavior seen in horses.
Signing Tips
Keep your thumb firmly anchored to your temple; only your index and middle fingers should move. Make sure those two fingers stay glued together as they bend down twice to keep the sign crisp and clear.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the entire hand away from the head instead of just bending the fingers. Another frequent error is separating the index and middle fingers, which can make the sign look like 'rabbit' instead of 'horse'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Horse" in a Sentence
1

I love riding my horse.

Sign 'I', 'love', 'ride', and then use the sign for 'horse' by placing your thumb at your temple and bending your pressed-together index and middle fingers twice.

2

Look at that beautiful brown horse.

Point in the direction of the animal, sign 'beautiful', 'brown', and finish with the 'horse' sign, making sure your thumb stays anchored to your head.

3

My favorite animal is a horse.

Sign 'my', 'favorite', 'animal', and then sign 'horse' by mimicking the twitching ear with your index and middle fingers at your temple.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use one hand or two hands to sign 'horse'?

The standard way to sign 'horse' uses just your dominant hand. While you might occasionally see someone use both hands to show two ears, the one-handed version described here is perfectly correct, standard, and universally understood.

How is 'horse' different from the sign for 'rabbit'?

For 'horse', your index and middle fingers are pressed tightly together while they bend. For 'rabbit', the index and middle fingers are separated into a 'U' or 'V' shape, and the hands are typically crossed or placed differently.

Does my thumb have to touch my head?

Yes, your thumb should rest against your temple. This acts as an anchor point, showing that the 'ear' (your fingers) is attached to the head. If you move your hand away into the air, it can confuse the meaning.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!