Horses cry as a form of emotional expression. Unlike humans, who primarily use tears to moisturize the eyes, horses cry to communicate distress or pain. This behavior is rooted in their evolutionary history, where crying could signal danger to the rest of the herd. According to a study by the University of California, Davis, horses produce tears when they are in pain or experiencing emotional distress, such as during veterinary procedures or when separated from their herd. The presence of emotional tears in horses is supported by the analysis of their tear composition, which shows a higher concentration of stress hormones compared to tears produced for eye lubrication. This indicates that horses cry as a response to emotional stimuli, reinforcing their role in social communication and stress management within the herd.