Do you recon horses know that they are loved?

ATrueClassAct

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As title says. Just wondered people's opinions.
I personally think they do understand it since often horses will do anything for the owners who show them kindness and care.
 
Definitely!!!

Thats why the little chubby Roger Podger Peejophile (as he is currently titled) gives a little neigh when he sees me and puts up with soooo much nonsense from me.

In return he gets the finest clothes and food I can afford and lots of fuss (including being towelled dried after his every other day bath- the towelling is definitely his favourite activity!!!!).

V x

(Nb- I need a boyfriend!!!!)
 
Ned always looks at me and wanders over to me when I come on the yard. His coat has also become so shiney and lovely! Whether he just wants polos, or he actually likes me...I don't know!
 
Hmm good question, maybe not in the sense as we know as they don't have the same intelligence and emotions as a human being but yes I think to a certain extent they surely must associate us some form acceptance and happyness through gentleness, food and leadership perhaps?
 
Yes, they do. My old boy has a way of looking at me, hard to describe, he just looks straight at me as if he's connecting with me. Up close he's not a demonstrative horse, but from across the field, he connects to me - should do after 14 years! I have a two year old, bought as a feral four month old weanling, and he wants to be with me as much as possible. I really took my time giving him the chance to trust and get to know me when he first arrived, and it's paid off, he is a delight and trusts me with whatever I ask of him.
 
I do yes, we had a horse that had been badly abused and had travelled from along way in awful circumstances. We had a animal communicator speak to him ( we never told her anything) the horse told her he was so grateful to us for showing him that humans could love him, he also wanted to know why we loved him. He in return told her that he loved us unconditionally. It was such an emotional reading, it really showed us all, esp the communicator a complete different aspect about horses feelings
 
I would like to think so, in their own way. I have spent alot of time in hospitals over the years and my friends say she is never the same when I am not there, and when I come back she always nickers a hello, and welcomes me back into her life with without question. :)
 
Yes, but you have to show them, not tell them. By which I mean, be caring about their needs, be consistent, be fair, be firm if you need to be. The words don't mean much to animals, but they can tell from your actions, of that I have no doubt.:)
 
Yes, the two terrors sometimes even make the effort to come down the field to see me :O ! Cupboard love mabye but they both at least recognise and trust me, they both run off when others try to catch them, one is a grumpy ba***rd to strangers and lunges at them (trust him with my life though) or runs them down in the field haha - hes a wee bit misunderstood though and most hate him!!
 
I do yes, we had a horse that had been badly abused and had travelled from along way in awful circumstances. We had a animal communicator speak to him ( we never told her anything) the horse told her he was so grateful to us for showing him that humans could love him, he also wanted to know why we loved him. He in return told her that he loved us unconditionally. It was such an emotional reading, it really showed us all, esp the communicator a complete different aspect about horses feelings

Love this, we have an abused horse and he was "read" by a communicator and she too did not know he had been abused, but he said he forgives "those people who hurt me a lot" Remember she did not know anything about him, but what shocked me was his forgiveness, could a human forgive that easily?No revenge, no anger. My boy trusts us and said so, that is love.
FDC
 
Yes. My two rescues would walk through fire for me if I asked, all three of mine let me do things that they wont let other people, all three come to call and are always happy to see me even though seeing me doesn't always mean food.
Merlin is very different with me than he is other people, he's on part livery and people always makes comments like 'he wont let me do that' etc.
 
I think they know what certain people will do for them. So they associate that with the people. Ie) my mare knows that anything she needs, food, drugs , warmth etc. She will get no matter what I'm doing. I dropped going to uni for her. I think she knows I'd do anything for her so in return she does anything for me. Like in our jumping lesson today, gave every wrong signal due to nerves and she still jumped the fence with care!
 
My horse's previous owner did not get on with her and openly admitted as much. They had owned her less than a year. I saw the horse threatening to bite when being tacked-up. I don't think that she was ill-treated, just mis-understood (although she is very wary of sticks). Every-one who has met her here says what a lovely horse she is and what a kind face she has.
She has been gradually been getting more comfortable about being handled/groomed/
tacked up, then on Saturday in the very hot weather, we gave her her first bath with us. The expression on her face as she turned to look at us when we turned the hose onto her back was a real treat to see.
I would say that it was a mixture of gratitude, affection and pleasure with incredibly soft eyes.

I previously owned a WelshDxTB who had been mistreated as a youngster and then had food intolerances which made her feel ill. She became dangerous to handle before we realised what was causing the problem. She had been known to bite and kick other people who she knew well but although she often had her legs flying through the air when I led her and appeared to be beside herself, she never hurt me, never even touched me accidentally, so obviously was able to control her actions to a degree. The only likely reason was because she felt some kind of affection for me.
 
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I do yes, we had a horse that had been badly abused and had travelled from along way in awful circumstances. We had a animal communicator speak to him ( we never told her anything) the horse told her he was so grateful to us for showing him that humans could love him, he also wanted to know why we loved him. He in return told her that he loved us unconditionally. It was such an emotional reading, it really showed us all, esp the communicator a complete different aspect about horses feelings

Huh?? :confused:

Sorry if I sound a bit confused, just sounds strange, explain please?
 
Of course they do! Mine comes running when he sees me in the field, shouts his face off when he sees me on the yard, cuddles in when allowed. He's ridiculous! Cwtchy and gorgeous!
 
Roo knows I love her, I tell her often enough LOL

She knows my car, and is always stood by the gate as soon as she hears it. If shes in stable she apparently is often lying down, but she always gets up and stands at door by the time I get out of the car.
People know when I arrive as she always whinnies before she can see me. She knows I love her, and I know she loves me :D
 
I believe they do!

I have seen so many horses come to life once they know they are loved. Horses who have received what they needed but once shown love seemed to change and glow with it.

i am guilty of personification as many are but my boy shows trust, affection, jealousy and protection towards me ~ which in my book counts as love :D
 
I have had the great good fortune to have had two appy mares in my life :) The first one was bought to share with my sister, we then bought a WelshDxTB, also for us to share. We only ever shared them on the ground, the Appy refused point blank to be shared as far as riding was concerned :eek: They chose which of us they 'owned', even though we alternated who fed who etc. The Current Appy came to live with us while the Old girl was still living and 'my' girls shared me and were great friends with each other. I am convinced that they understand that I love them and they are 'mine' even though sister and I share the work. :) I believe that they have affection for me as well and it is not just cupboard love.
 
Hmm good question, maybe not in the sense as we know as they don't have the same intelligence and emotions as a human being but yes I think to a certain extent they surely must associate us some form acceptance and happyness through gentleness, food and leadership perhaps?

yes agree i have a great bond with my mare she was brood mare before i got her and didnt have much human interaction i dont kid myself that half of it isnt food related but she will follow me around the field if i pooh pick and nuzzle me quite alot she is an affectionate mare but only with me maybe because she sees me as her peer always looks to me for reasurrance if there is something spooky going on or she not sure of the situation i am very happy that i found her
 
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