Curious - How do you show your horse you love them?

Sussexbythesea said:
Personally I think people who think rigidly like this miss out as do their horses. It's quite possible to provide for their basic horse needs and add a further element of mutual affection. Mares show love for their foals and horses show particular affection for certain other horses over others so I don't believe they don't have any feelings in this respect.

Some horses don't particularly like people fussing but plenty do and come out of their shells because of it. I've always had horses that seem to respond by calling or whickering to me going all soppy and soft-eyed when I rub them in their favourite spot or kiss their noses. Mine loves to hang out with people having a conversation he's so nosey and loves to be admired.
Click to expand...

I am with you, since my boy is in part time to keep the dreaded *L* away he has started to whicker and neigh to me when I return in the car. I find it lovely as since his mum died he has been very withdrawn, I cuddle him and kiss him as he accepts and enjoys it and our bond is ever closer.

I am all for it and those who give horses cuddles etc.

In life we all think differently and like mainy others I am tactile with my horses they come first,(not included hubby)in my life. I for one am not treating them like a means of transport and no affection.

Some people class horses as rude if they nudge of push, I see a lot more rude abnoxious children. At least if a horse nudges to hard or pushes the boundary they accept a reprimand which is more than I can say for the two legged variety
 
Last edited:
I think it's up to individual choice. I've seen fantastic horses be produced under both approaches.

I think it's nice to see somebody so enthusiastic about horse ownership. If somebody is so eager to give their horse the best possible life they can offer, they can't go far wrong. There is several different approaches to horse care and I think sometimes we should step back and appreciate it.

Horse ownership is supposed to be fun at the end of the day :D My girl loves affection and we mutually respect each others wishes. Whether that's love or not, who really cares?! It's about you and your individual animal having the best relationship you can.
 
I don't really feel the need to do things to show any animal or person that I love them. If they know what love is then my horses will know I love them.
 
Tyssandi said:
Some people class horses as rude if they nudge of push, I see a lot more rude abnoxious children. At least if a horse nudges to hard or pushes the boundary they accept a reprimand which is more than I can say for the two legged variety
Click to expand...

This comparison is just nonsensical.
 
milliepops said:
Oh I don't know, Cortez - I have horses that know their boundaries, aren't rude or pushy, yet if the little one wants a scratch and the timing suits me I am happy to oblige - I find her desperately cute and knowing her history, it's quite touching the way she's come out of her shell.

My OH is a farrier... he sees PLENTY of rude horses and frequently remarks how he enjoys seeing to mine because they are polite and easy to handle. You don't have to rule with an iron fist. I love that mine know where the line is, and they don't overstep it, but they aren't under the thumb :wink3:
Click to expand...

I'm with MP, mine are considered polite in the main but will come over for a scratch.

Interestingly the two carriage bred ones both come over and gently blow on me and seem to like me blowing back on their muzzles, ok that sounds weird written down :lol:. But they both do seem to like a bit of human interaction, they are both on a treat ban though as they are rude if they get treated (the girls at the yard don't see them as rude as they just follow you round, but they know better with me!).

The oldie is cosseted and spoilt :o, so will go to rub her face on you and whiffle for treats :o, I can't help it she's so cute :o.
 
milliepops said:
Oh I don't know, Cortez - I have horses that know their boundaries, aren't rude or pushy, yet if the little one wants a scratch and the timing suits me I am happy to oblige - I find her desperately cute and knowing her history, it's quite touching the way she's come out of her shell.

My OH is a farrier... he sees PLENTY of rude horses and frequently remarks how he enjoys seeing to mine because they are polite and easy to handle. You don't have to rule with an iron fist. I love that mine know where the line is, and they don't overstep it, but they aren't under the thumb :wink3:
Click to expand...

Frank has been 'just checking' one particular line for the last 12 years, it has not ever been permitted but apparently you have to check...

He doesn't do anything of the things on Cortez's list, the rest of the yard would whicker but not him :(
 
They are definitely all very different, in my experience some of them love human affection and some of them don't seem bothered at all. One of my mares loves a cuddle and a scratch whereas one of them backs right away if you get too close to her. I would say preempting what they need and providing it is the best way to let them know they are loved. Being there when they are vulnerable, scared or poorly, keeping their environment safe and comfortable and handling them in a kind and understanding way. I keep my horses for life and have different relationships with each horse depending on what they need from me to be healthy and happy.
 
OP, if you mean how does one get horses to understand that you love them in ways that humans love other humans, I'm afraid that is impossible. Ditto to expect reciprocation of any such love.

On the other hand, one can certainly be liked and trusted by horses for your behaviour towards them when it involves being calm, clear, consistent, confident, considerate and conscious of their concerns (gawd, I sound like Pat Parelli!). That is what they appreciate and 'respect'.
 
Consistency!! Being there twice a day at the same time so there are no shocks as to whether they are in for more time than they should or out for more time.

In my opinion horses like consistency and reliability. So no, mine doesn't get treats or snacks - he is fed a carrier to take his minerals and given ad lib hay when in during the day. I don't believe that treats are helpful - they either become difficult and nippy or bargey with treats or they become calculating.

I would never expect my horse to become difficult to catch or mount or bit or saddle because I listen - if he has an issue with a saddle he moves away - I listen and realise that the saddle is causing a problem so we sort it - same as getting on or putting a bridle on - if at any point they move away they are trying to tell you something and if they won't be caught its because whatever is happening to them is unpleasant - either the work is too hard for them, they are left hungry or the tack is uncomfortable.

I personally think horses are pretty straight forward - it amazes me often on the yard that people are having to hang onto their horses when trying to get the bit in their mouths - I would have thought it was pretty obvious - perhaps the horse doesn't like the bit/saddle etc.!!

But I may be wrong!!

Edited to add that mine lies down in the field and when collected at around 6.30/7am is often 'snoozing'!! He clearly feels perfectly happy and comfortable and loved as he often decides he won't get up but lies flat out with his head collar put on having a snore!! So lack of treats and cuddles doesn't make him feel worried - horses don't all want to be kissed or cuddled - mine certainly doesn't!!
 
Last edited:
I want to see Billy and his new rope :p

my current show is the fact that I have left him 200 miles away when I miss him every day, because it is what he needs :p.
 
Cortez said:
What a lot of people are saying is their horse "loving" them would be classed as being rude, pushy and unmannerly by others. I certainly don't want Black Beauty-style nickers and whinnying, nor charging to the gate whenever I appear, and as for pushing and nudging for scratches....just awful.

I have a friend who does all this "bonding" stuff; her horses are the rudest, narkiest creatures, to the point of being dangerous. She has so far been unable to actually ride any of them (7 - 15 year old homebreds), and has twice been put in hospital by them. But she will swear blind that they love her....
Click to expand...

Mine is pretty much perfect, excellent to catch, box, shoe, vet, lead, tie-up, hacks safely alone and in company and has turned his hoof to most things. He can get excited and used to be really spooky. Not only that he's a dreaded "dumb-blood". He's really easy in pretty much every way.

To catch he only gallops over if its winter and he's cheesed off otherwise he saunters over unless the grass is very good then he keeps eating and waits for me to get him.

His naughtiness consists of tipping the muck barrow over while looking at me directly in the eye or tipping out his grooming box as I've left him tied up whilst chatting and it's time to go out. Worse still he bows if he thinks you might have a nugget - oh the shame! I like that spirit about him and I don't want that squashed. If I wanted an automaton I'd buy a bike.
 
ester said:
I want to see Billy and his new rope :p

my current show is the fact that I have left him 200 miles away when I miss him every day, because it is what he needs :p.
Click to expand...

I shall take a video of him next time I see him. He has progressed marvellously, from mere beginnings of twirling at a standstill to now twirling while cantering and rearing :p
I really wish I had videoed him when he cantered off - i was so surprised (it was actually an exchange rope - he stole a head collar lol) and could only laugh!
 
stencilface said:
I put his muzzle on to stop him getting lami.

He'd rather I didn't love him :D
Click to expand...
Quite,

every time I visit mine I seem to do something unlovable like clipping, willy inspection (necessary given history) or reduce his rations significantly (we can see ribs again wahoo!) and ride him and not let him take the pee about stuff 24yo shouldn't take the pee about anymore. . .

I wouldn't love me :p
 
For me- I show them by giving them cuddles

For them- I give them scratches in their favourite hard to reach spots and in the case of my big boy I allow him to fulfil his craving and treat me as a giant salt lick! ....I'm not talking just licking hands either! He will lick whatever section of skin is exposed and has actually wrapped his tongue around my arm on more than occasion :o
 
Ok so if we're talking a cruel to be kind sort of thing, stopping her from having a 3 acre field to eat away and sectioning her off sas she got two fat ( her weight is loads better now, back to what it should be) washing her tail and bum (don't even want to go into why that was necessary) cutting off the back of her feathers as she had an old wound that needed treatment, removing ticks from her nipples, not allowing her to have the likit someone gave her for Christmas, putting on fly spray, washing the poo out of her feathers, putting Sudocrem On a bite on her belly. All horrible in the eyes of the cobbus but all had to be done and were borne with protest. ��
 
I understand he isn't going to love me like a dog with, I just want to find a few more things I can do to or for him that he enjoys. He is a bit of a soppy chap, I visit him twice every day, I go over at 5 am in the morning every day to put sun cream on his nose, this morning he just followed me around the field for ages, I ran, he ran, I stopped he stopped, I ask for back he went back :) I by no means asked him to stop being a horse and come play with me, he just chose to, and there were no treats involved only sun cream :)

He seems to enjoy human contact so just trying to think of activities that make him happy, not just me.
 
I force them to accept my human affection! :lol: It's taken a while with Dora but she'll let me grab her face for a kiss now as opposed to running in fear from me.

But realistically I just try my hardest to do right by them, ensure they understand what is expected of them and not leave them with cause to fret or worry. Both of my horses do now seek reassurance from me to an extent which neither did when I got them, so in that respect I think they understand I am to be trusted. Obviously they don't feel love or have any idea that's my feeling towards them.
 
Horsekaren said:
I understand he isn't going to love me like a dog with, I just want to find a few more things I can do to or for him that he enjoys.
Click to expand...
Ah, that is a much more realistic and achievable goal than getting a horse to understand your love!

General and semi-flippant advice: find out what he enjoys and do that (in moderation and not to the detriment of other things).

Plus attending to their needs, of course, and being a trustworthy, "no nasty surprises" sort of person.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top