When we asked you whether you wanted to be able to post your pictures on H&C, the answer was a resounding yes. We’re pleased to present our first photo gallery of your horses smiling for the camera.

Pictures of equine smiles always raise a human smile, but do you know why your horse pulls this expression? The action is called the ‘Flehman Response’ and is actually more to do with smell than your horse saying he’s pleased to see you.

Ready for the science? When your horse pulls his top lip back, he is drawing a scent to his vomeronasal organ. As he does this, his nostrils are closed and he effectively ‘tastes’ the smell. Horses usually do this when they detect an unusual scent, but you’ll often see a male horse ‘smile’ when he smells an in season mare.

One thing to be aware of, though, is that some horses pull a similar expression when they have a lower abdominal pain so if it is unusual for your horse to ‘smile’, it may be worth checking for other signs of discomfort and, if necessary, contacting your vet.

Does your horse smile? Send your photo to our Editor for inclusion in this gallery. We also want photos of you competing and your horse in fancy dress.

We will show the top 10 on the TV channel, so please be sure to send high quality images and include your name and the horse's name.