Do horses remember you?

stencilface

stencilface

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Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this. I have been in australia for a year now - soon to return (this week - yay!) and am just wondering if my horse wil recognise me?

My sister has been looking after and riding him - as well as making him do some competitions (he likes to think of them as big parties arranged just for him). Anyone have any tips for how to make your horse like you most - aside from the requisite mountains of polos obviously!

Here is a pic of lovely horse last March at a HT at Osberton - very concerned at the mean scary ditch he is jumping!

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I've visited two ponies that I sold with a gap of (long time ago) roughly year and a half and a 4 year gap - didn't appear to remember me at all lol which was flattering. It must depend on how long you've had them I suppose etc
 
Yeah I think that they do - when I go to catch my horse, I whistle and he comes up to the gate. Whereas when my sister goes down she has to walk down the field to get him. Think he knows he gets spoiled though cause I always have a carrott or something for him and take him up the lane for some nice lush grass !!
 
I think horses do remember. Have moved my horse to a yard close to one where we used to be quite a while ago, and he remenbers all the rides, and the other horses he was close to. I think they then remember people, your mannerisms and how you treat them, but as to how they respond depends on how demonstrative the horse is.
 
Yeah, they do remember people for sure. Over the last year, I've spent time in/out of hospital and then recovering, meaning 6 weeks away at time and my horse always gives me the look of love when he see's me.

My friend Jayne was also in hosp for 3 months (same accident) and her 3, albeit having the hump with her
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soon came round with treats.
 
Thankyou everybody - that makes me feel happy - will take some choice treats for back up though!! He better remember me - he'll have to do lots of work otherwise!
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Fascinating question, and something I would love to know/read more about.

I have fancied our first pony did remember us when we visited her a few times, but that it took her some time for it to click.

Surely, with their good sense of smell, horses must have long memories, even if they don't always show it?
 
How about remembering other horses? Mine was bred wild on Bodmin moor in Cornwall, and was taken off the moor probably at about 12 months old. At the age of seven a friend rode her horse to our livery yard, we knew that our two horses were the same age and had been running together on the moor as foals, but hadn't seem each other since. My horse was enchanted to see Des, pretty face on, sidling up to him, just obviously delighted. Des however tried to kick Harley and showed no recognition at all!
 
Thinking about it, I think I have actually I have read about this myself in a behaviour book by a guy called Stephen Budiansky thats called 'The evolution of horses' or something similar - don't have it to hand to look at - but is a good read for anyone out there!
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Merlin must be a bit thick then, coz he sees the vet on a regular basis and he always does something horrid too him...... he never seems to mind when he comes!!!

Always looks mildly pleased to see me if he is in the field, but desperate to see me if in the stable....... mainly though coz I am going to put him in the field
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I was just thinking about this today...Ive been on hols for 5 days and my friend had been looking after my horse and pony for me. On returning my horse seemed to be loads more friendly towards my friend than me - she is lovely so I spose that could be why....after a hack though he seemed to back on par with knowing who I was and was back to chewing my pocket for polos... - my pony though always nudges me and will only ever come to me when I call her...all my friends used to ride her and she was a complete ploader - as soon as I got on board she became this mad, jogging speedy little thing which would just make my heart leap....
im sure horses and ponies remember - with out a doubt in fact...
 
yep my old ponio remembers me, well he should since i had him for 4 years!
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and was his first owner! lol
but i see him usually once every month as i usually see them in the paper or at a show!
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plus he is pony, and i think ponies are a lot more intelligent!
 
Some definitely do.....my boy who I had for 5 years and sold to someone local whinnied at me when he heard my voice and that was after six months ( I didn't visit before that as I thought it was unfair) He is very very hapy with his new owner too but it was quite an emotional moment when he threw up his head and said 'Hi' !!
 
id like to think so but ive never really been in that situation
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mind you my shetland seemed to rec me when i went to pick her up after 3 yrs on loan... well she whinnied everytime i said her name...
 
I had a TB where I worked abroad many years ago, I went to work for some other people but visited my previous employers to say goodbye when I left. The TB was still there and I said bye to him - he definately remembered me, very emotional it was too x
 
I did a degree at Hartpury College and in one of my Equine Science lesons we were told that horses remember smells for up to 10 years!!! Other horses smell and humans, it helps them recognise friend from foe in the wild. Amazing eh!!! So he will def remember you
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Now come on Stencilface, you know your horse is far too dim to even remember his name! mwah ha ha ha! He needs working anyway, he's been stuffing far too much cow parsley down his face and practicing his 'rearing' play fighting with best bud Dez!!! As long as he keeps his antics to when his tack's not on though I think he'll be ok!

Off to eventing challenge tomorrow at Richmond EC as my last comp before you get back!!
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they definately remember other horses - ty went away for 6 months and went crazy when he saw his girlfriend - a true corny black beauty/ginger moment! haa haa

don't see any reason why they'd not remember humans although I guess their attachment is always going to greater to another horse than a human....?
 
Yes! The first time I saw flint after I sold him and bought him back he went stir crazy- I have it on video here somewhere and Lilbon couldnt believe how much he seemed to be attatched to me, wouldnt take his eyes off me when I went to get a rug for him etc. It wasnt the greeting I expected- Must of made an impact somewhere down the line
 
A friend of mine was at a point to point recently and the rider was unseated, the horse proceeded to charge off and then regonised his owner through other people and went straight through them back to the only security he knew! Yes definately know who you are!
 
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Now come on Stencilface, you know your horse is far too dim to even remember his name! mwah ha ha ha! He needs working anyway, he's been stuffing far too much cow parsley down his face and practicing his 'rearing' play fighting with best bud Dez!!! As long as he keeps his antics to when his tack's not on though I think he'll be ok!

Off to eventing challenge tomorrow at Richmond EC as my last comp before you get back!!
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Whatever! You know he likes me more though - and don't break him today will you - want to be able to ride as soon as the plane lands! Hope you manage to work some of the podge off him though - I saw the pics from bishop burton - what a fatty!
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Yes, I had a break of about 2 months when I had my baby and when I arrived up at my horse she gave me a great big whinny
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, more I think because she wanted out and recognised me for that rather than she loved me though
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