Can horses be possessive of their owners?

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smanf

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I really dint think so, but My horse has had a beautiful nature since I got him in November, but just lately he has started putting his ears right back at people if they come near him when I'm there, but doesn't do it to me. The other day i was grooming him and he was really enjoying it and someone came over and he really tried to show them away. He hasnt actually gone to bite anyone, yet! It tends to be around feeding time so I think he might be wanting his grub. I am a firm believer that horses should be left in peace with their food but I don't want it to escalate into anything more
 
Yes one of mine is. More so getting threatening with other horses but he will do it to people also. He's absolutely fine and very sweet with me and my daughter.
 
In a word, yes. My old gelding used to refuse to let my old boyfriends anywhere near me, the same with other horses if we were having a cuddle, it's something that you need to set boundaries about as it may escalate and become a real problem
 
Probably, not exactly the same but my horse watches other horses around me like a hawk. He is very protective and has been know to lash out at other horses if they attempt to hurt me in any way. To be fair he does relax around horses we both know well, so it is not a frequent issue. Although it sounds nice to have your horse very much on your side, it is problematic and you always need to be vigilant. If you can discourage it then I would, I try to make sure he knows I am in control of situations and do not need help to discourage him from interfering. He also seems to pick up on people I dislike and will pull faces.
 
I think its more a case of protecting their food source, or a possible food source. Same way as if I walked in a field of unknown horses with a bucket, the dominant one would chase the others away from me. Or in the way an older mare will tell off say a youngster for invading everybody else's space. My mare once protected two young girls who were in the middle of the field when a herd of a dozen or so had a bit of a mad half hour. But I don't think she was protecting them in a human sense. More a combination of them possibly having food, & generally maintaining herd order when the geldings were getting too rough. I've seen her very much go out of her way to protect vulnerable youngsters or old/ unhealthy horses, but only with far more provocation than the weaker one having its space mildly invaded.
 
My pony - but with other horses rather than people. I think it's more of a jealousy thing - he doesn't want other horses to get my attention.
 
Yes definitely mine are a little bit. I bought a new girl, and my other ridden mare really likes her and they happily graze together (can check on them through window throughout the day) but for a bit when having a fuss in the field my mare would pull faces when new mare tried to come over to me for cuddles too. I call it her 'thats my mummy!' face ;). She does also look jealously on when other mare has the chiro as she loves her (she gets done as well & more regularly but on different days!). They aren't funny with other people though they are quite happy to be handled by anyone though they might not want fuss from them.
 
Would not say that, but she does turn into a green eyed monster, if I talk to another person let alone another horse. She will really start trying to get attention by kicking off calling pawing and when I do go back to her she will give me the Angel of Death face as if to tell me of for daring to speak to someone else, bless her just like a spoilt child lol
 
Mine is v. possessive but she's actually settled with it a bit since another person has started continuing her training.

I wonder now if I caused it by being her only contact.
 
I would have said absolutely not however my daughter's pony borders on fury when I hack out on my mare and not her! She is fine if someone else rides her and I am on foot or if my mare is there but I'm not riding her, but she does not like hacking if I am on my mare. :rolleyes:
 
mine is very protective of me in the feild! if any other horse is walking towards me and he sees he will go as fast as he can to make sure he gets to me first. he chases away any other horse that comes near me and if im standing with him and another horse even looks the ears are flat back haha. its 1000x worse if i have polos!

see video below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqYJNWKynkU
 
Yes you are the walking food larder and thats all you are! So if there are other horses etc the weather is cold etc winter you are a joy to behold! Its nothing personal or love its food.
 
indie999 said:
Yes you are the walking food larder and thats all you are! So if there are other horses etc the weather is cold etc winter you are a joy to behold! Its nothing personal or love its food.
Click to expand...

i think its a bit mean to assume its not love! me and my horse have a very close bond. he follows me everywhere, watches my every move when he's tied up, comes running to the gate when i call him etc, and i dont carry treats on my person unless its summer and im just going to give him a check in the field so i know he's not constantly looking for food off of me..
 
One of mine is incredibly jealous/possessive when I'm around him, I only see him a few times a year as he lives with a friend of mine and she always comments at how differently he acts around me
 
I wouldn't say mine's possessive, he's more of the jealous type. He hates it if I'm dealing with another horse, or talking to someone. First he sticks his head out the door, then the tongue chewing starts, and head tossing! If I walk past him he makes this little cute nickering noise, which I can never say no too! He's a real mummy's boy!
 
My mare did something odd a while back that made me think so, yes.
She certainly recognises my car, me walking in the distance etc and will only start banging the door when I arrive but I thought that was just for food/attention.
She will stand happily and quietly in her stable eating but if I go in with her she will stick her ears back and lunge at any horse that dares come near.

The wierd thing though, was when I went in the school with another livery and we swopped horses for a bit. She went mental and charged at the horse I was riding with her teeth bared! Usually its a challenge to get her to do more than walk in the school but the girl who was riding her had no control atall. I couldn't work out what she was doing until someone pointed out she was probably being possessive. Made me feel quite nice that she actually cares a bit!
 
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