Do horses need affection?

[Cinnamontoast]

Just a thought. Walking past my sharer riding my horse today, he immediately wanted to come and see me. He ran away from her yesterday but runs to me. (I don't feed him, so there's no cupboard love!) He becomes more affectionate if he's been out for a hack.

It's not like dogs who want snuggles on your knee, although I think the boy would try!

What do you think? Do horses need affection and do you cuddle yours eek: is this too fluffy for a Friday night?!)

 

[Sparkles]

Think it depends on the horse! We've go some who will come over the moment they see you and demand hugs...yet others who aren't attention inclined, so we leave them be

 

[Twinkley Lights]

I have a 32 year old lodger who whickers at you and demands a hug in the field, in fact he asked for another one yesterday after I'd finished

 

[Merlin11]

agree it varies with the horse - my welsh cob loves attention and cuddles and would try to get to me if ridden by someone else but have also known other horses who are not so bothered

 

[Shysmum]

OMG YES !!! Sometimes he pretends he doesn't like a good cuddle, but he always comes back for more. I get soppy tash kisses over the stable door every morning

 

[FoxTrotx]

I'm not sure they need it but my mare certainly likes a scratch and a snuggle. I did get the impression she wasn't used to it when I first got her but now she'll come and nibble my leg to ask for a scratch

 

[mightymammoth]

I can see my poor horses eyes glaze over when I hug and kiss him on the cheek often followed with a annoyed sigh...

 

[stencilface]

Mine neighs at me, ok it could be cupboard love, but either way, he loves me

 

[HihoGinger]

I can see my poor horses eyes glaze over when I hug and kiss him on the cheek often followed with a annoyed sigh...

Same here. Fluffy bunny he ain't!

 

[Feathered]

Agree with Christmas Sparkles. Depends on the horse, my old girl couldn't have cared less, all she wanted was her food bowl, if you cuddled her or fussed her she'd give you a look like "the people I have to deal with!" but my youngster seems to like fuss and attention....

Horses for courses I suppose.

 

[LollyDolly]

My previous horse was never one for cuddles and they were forced upon him, with or without his consent!
Sandy on the other hand adores cuddles and has to be stood right beside me at all times, a gap of 50cm or more is certainly not allowed! And that's regardless of whether we are in a field, stood outside on the yard or in the stable!
He also greets me every time I come into his eyesight with a rather high pitched whinny and a nose shoved in my face! He also always walks (or trots/canters depending on his mood) up to the gate when I go to bring him in!
And when he goes out in a new field for the first few times he clings to me and I have to stay with him for about 10 mins until he is happy grazing.
Also he follows me everywhere like a dog!
He also grooms me on my collarbone and shoulder which is adorable!

 

[CobsGalore]

Definitely depends on the horse, but I love a horse who enjoys a good cuddle

 

[Cortez]

I'm sorry, but allowing horses to "groom" you is not "adorable", it's dangerous! And letting them get up close and in your space is likewise not a good idea, from either a self preservation or training perspective. If you want a pet, get a dog (less likely to stand on you), if you want a riding animal, treat the horse like a horse.

 

[Buds_mum]

Buddy loves being fussed with, groomed, cuddled, smooched He is a very sweet personable horse.
He also is just as happy with a quick pat and a scratch, he isn't in your face for affection. More enjoys it when it comes his way

 

[PolarSkye]

Another one who thinks it depends on the horse . . . KaliBear is a real sweetie and loves attention and affection, but I certainly know horses who would rather be left alone.

P

 

[Honey08]

Definitely depends on the horse, but I love a horse who enjoys a good cuddle

This.

I have one horse that hates attention and fuss and constantly pulls faces at everyone, myself included, but I am the only one she allows to catch her (95% of the time!) and when I have been away she will come over to me and sniff me, nothing more! That apart, she is very honest and works really hard for me. The other horse will be cuddled and fussed all day, and is quite pathetic for a 17h hunter. Yet he is not quite as honest to ride and handle as the aloof one.

 

[Rosehip]

I'm sorry, but allowing horses to "groom" you is not "adorable", it's dangerous! And letting them get up close and in your space is likewise not a good idea, from either a self preservation or training perspective. If you want a pet, get a dog (less likely to stand on you), if you want a riding animal, treat the horse like a horse.

So sitting in my old girls shelter with a cuppa and her muzzle on my head whilst she has a nap isnt a good idea then.....Oh well, I can think of worse ways to die.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I'm sorry, but allowing horses to "groom" you is not "adorable", it's dangerous! And letting them get up close and in your space is likewise not a good idea, from either a self preservation or training perspective. If you want a pet, get a dog (less likely to stand on you), if you want a riding animal, treat the horse like a horse.

I knew we'd get this! I would agree if you don't know the horse and they're not robots (or just riding animals) so I would never advise cuddling random horses.

I'm aware of where my horse is at all times when I'm around him. He's a super affectionate boy and gets cuddles all the time. He's not just a worker to be ridden, he's a pet, too. He's treated like a horse in that he's in a field, given discipline but also affection.

 

[L&M]

My cob often rest his head on my shoulder - very sweet, but darn heavy!!!

Said cob also likes to nuzzle my ears and if I kiss him he wobbles his lips all over my face.....

I understand where Cortez is coming from, but my horse does respect my personal space, and only comes in if invited.

So in answer to the question, some horses enjoy affection x

 

[Brightbay]

My horse is affectionate and likes affection returned... but no cuddles - he's male, for goodness sake! So affection is shown by nickers, whinnies (he has a range of about 5 different ones that I can distinguish, included my favourite, the one he does when I've been working in the field for a good while but have gone out of his sight for a few minutes and then returned ). He also likes to stand and graze around my toes, and will mirror me and walk in step with me.nHs appreciates a good scratch when he's itchy, but only tolerates the occasional hug or kiss

Mare in field does quite like a hug and a kiss, but what she really likes is a good face scratch, although she will politely wait to be invited.

I am happy to show them affection but not to force hugs and kisses on them (I kind of feel the same way myself ). Shame people feel horses are some kind of big scary animal to be kept at a safe distance... that's never been my experience of them at all, but I guess you get what you expect.

 

[LollyDolly]

If you want a pet, get a dog

Thanks, but I've already got two

Shame people feel horses are some kind of big scary animal to be kept at a safe distance... that's never been my experience of them at all, but I guess you get what you expect.

This.

 

[wiglet]

My veteran is quite aloof, always has been and doesn't like being groomed or fussed. My other horse craves attention, she loves fuss and adores people around her. When I walk past her she does the most delightful little whickers - ok, ok it's probably cupboard love but hell.... it works for me

 

[LollyDolly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6X0j3PxDew

My pony clearly doesn't respect my space at all, talk about a lack of training

Suppose I am lucky to own such a sweetie

 

[CobsGalore]

I'm sorry, but allowing horses to "groom" you is not "adorable", it's dangerous! And letting them get up close and in your space is likewise not a good idea, from either a self preservation or training perspective. If you want a pet, get a dog (less likely to stand on you), if you want a riding animal, treat the horse like a horse.

I'm sorry but what a load of rubbish!! Like I said, horses for courses. But my horse enjoys being fussed over and craves attention and loves a good cuddle in the field. At no point has he ever been 'dangerous'!

My horse is a pet, I just happen to ride him too!

 

[showpony]

Yes My mare didn't when I first got her but over the past few mths we have really gotten to know each other she has become very affectionate - she adores being groomed & constantly tries to rest her head on my shoulder.. She has the uncanny knack of making me feel guilty when she is put out in the field , she stands at the gate until she cant see me anymore

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I love giving affection to my new horse as I did my old girl, I am a tactile person and love showing affection to my animals. Seren bless her would let me kiss and cuddle her, she would just allow me to do anything, she was so good, she did not depend on it or seek it out.
Nell does seem more affectionate in a way I think, it could just be nosiness, we are early days tbh.
But I think it is like people, some are more affectionate and like affection more than others...

 

[stargirl88]

I wish my mare was more affectionate! She'll yell out a bloody great big hello when she hears me get out my car but if I went over for a hug she'd be horrified!

 

[staceyn]

My Shetland yearling only comes in when invited loves cuddles kisses me to death and grooms me just with his muzzle he knows not to bite he just licks muzzles you and rests his head on your shoulder always follows u around he has never been naughty in the past year a bit to loving if you ask me where as my other horse is very much his own person and I would not feel the same trust to do it with him

 

[Darcydoo]

Mines moody grumpy no fussing hates being pampered independant woman who sometimes forgets and get soppy ( generally with OH) always greets me with a whinney and comes flat out down the field .so she likes me the quiet

 

[Equi]

My boy is a snuggle monster, he loves cuddles. If he is feeling sorry for himself he does a little shuffle over to you cause he wants hugs. When the EDT was out anytime she stopped he was putting his head in my tummy for hugs lol