Do you think horses find humans annoying?

[ImmyS]

Because I’m pretty sure I irritate Finn with my antics… ?

On a serious note though, I often wonder if horses find our interactions and interference irritating at times? Or whether I am personifying them and they don’t real have feelings of annoyance? Just a weekend musing!

Feel free to share any pictures or videos or your horses putting up with your antics!

 

[Havital]

I definitely think my mare gets fed up with me talking to her in an annoying baby voice and kissing her non stop?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Some do yes for sure.

 

[cowgirl16]

Definitely! The ginger ninja barely tolerates humans!

 

[Equi]

Horses don’t like pressure. Nearly everything we do with them is pressure. Some tolerate it better than others but I generally find most horses are happier without humans!

 

[Shilasdair]

I know one of mine does find humans stupid and annoying - she tells me (and her poor male human victim) by melodramatic sighs and snorts when we do something wrong.
And it only has to be a minor offence - putting the wrong haylage out first got poor bloke a scowly face, sigh and a snort.

 

[Mule]

I can feel mine rolling his eyes at me at times.
The last time was when I dismounted carelessly and kicked him in the arse. I swear I heard him sigh..

 

[Sossigpoker]

Definitely if they've been messed around with for hours. I feel there's only so much time horses should have to put up with us with .

 

[ImmyS]

Definitely if they've been messed around with for hours. I feel there's only so much time horses should have to put up with us with .

I do agree with this. Finn is quite an interactive, inquisitive type but generally, bar when messing around like in the above video, he’s only 3 and gets minimal interference - I pretty much poo pick, check for any injuries and that’s that. Any handling is just kept efficient and concise! I do think they appreciate it.

 

[Britestar]

I annoy the big lad, because I want to ride him. He'd much rather just stay in the field with his chums.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I do agree with this. Finn is quite an interactive, inquisitive type but generally, bar when messing around like in the above video, he’s only 3 and gets minimal interference - I pretty much poo pick, check for any injuries and that’s that. Any handling is just kept efficient and concise! I do think they appreciate it.

I groom , attend to lumps and bumps and obviously tack up and ride etc but I do try and leave him be the rest of the time although I'd love to cuddle him all day !

 

[Wishfilly]

I think horses can feel what we might consider annoyance- look at one being bothered by flies, or frustrated by having to wait for food.

Do we annoy them? Probably yes- I'm sure my pony would be perfectly happy living out 24/7 and never being ridden. BUT he does also like getting food, and whilst he may not like seeing the vet, I'm sure being left with an illness would be worse for him.

Equally, in winter, or when the weather is crap, he is quite happy to see me and come into a nice dry stable!

 

[lynz88]

I do agree with this. Finn is quite an interactive, inquisitive type but generally, bar when messing around like in the above video, he’s only 3 and gets minimal interference - I pretty much poo pick, check for any injuries and that’s that. Any handling is just kept efficient and concise! I do think they appreciate it.

Ha ha mine is very ummmm...human friendly and quite possibly the most "human loving" horse I've ever come across. He loves to cuddle people. Adults are cool but if there is a kid around, he will bug them for cuddles instead. So much so that I get told almost daily how he bugs everyone on the yard for hugs and cuddles. He will put his head on your shoulder/nose in your face or shove his face into your body until you wrap yourself around his face. If something is wrong with him he wants even more cuddles and becomes super clingy (as opposed to just clingy).

But back to the original question....I do believe that we do annoy them just as I'm sure they annoy us (trust me the cuddles requests get super annoying at times)

 

[ImmyS]

Ha ha mine is very ummmm...human friendly and quite possibly the most "human loving" horse I've ever come across. He loves to cuddle people. Adults are cool but if there is a kid around, he will bug them for cuddles instead. So much so that I get told almost daily how he bugs everyone on the yard for hugs and cuddles. He will put his head on your shoulder/nose in your face or shove his face into your body until you wrap yourself around his face. If something is wrong with him he wants even more cuddles and becomes super clingy (as opposed to just clingy).

But back to the original question....I do believe that we do annoy them just as I'm sure they annoy us (trust me the cuddles requests get super annoying at times)

Haha Finn is similar to this - I think it makes it harder to not over-interact with them when they are so friendly!! I guess they really all do have different personalities and I suppose like people their individual life experiences shape the way they see humans also!

 

[Caol Ila]

Gypsum liked humans better than horses.

Foinavon enjoys being a horse but accepts human things in a good humoured way.

Hermosa thinks the jury is still out.

 

[laura_nash]

Mine definitely found me annoying this evening when I was putting fly spray and cream on before putting them out and they were very keen to get out. You could practically hear "come on, get on with it woman".

 

[SEL]

I swear my gelding rolled his eyes tonight as my non horsey OH tried to negotiate a fly rug ?

 

[skint1]

I know mine do find me annoying but hopefully slightly endearing but probably more the former ?
Found this meme a while back, it fits well here

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Mimosa and Arizona actively seek out humans. Milagra would probably be happy without seeing another person ever again but is always tolerant and mannerly.

Mimosa gets annoyed if the people don’t include her or try to put her in her place.

 

[TwyfordM]

100% ?
I have a mare that’s actually pretty sweet, never tries to hurt anyone but the faces she pulls are either wrinkled up nose look of disgust or just plain eye rolling and sighing ??‍?

ETA - people she likes/trusts are few and far between to be honest