piebaldproblems
Well-Known Member
Is that really love though or just sexual/romantic attraction? Would have thought that love encompasses the feeling of trust as well
Do you think your horse loves you?
- Thread starter umaride
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Is that really love though or just sexual/romantic attraction? Would have thought that love encompasses the feeling of trust as well
Pippin and Poppy
Well-Known Member
The word 'love' has too many human expectations loaded into it.
The test of love for me is the ability to put another's needs/life in front of your own.
Would I give up my life for my children? - yes. Would a mare give up her life for a foal - unlikely - and anyway what would be the point because the foal is most likely to die without her.
Horses form bonds and friendships. A mare will defend her foal. But it's primarily about survival. We look for much more in a lasting, loving relationship.
I appreciate the connection I have with our mares when they stand with us, lie down next to us, share breath etc. but I don't consider this to be love. I see it as a trusting bond which can be easily snapped.
The test of love for me is the ability to put another's needs/life in front of your own.
Would I give up my life for my children? - yes. Would a mare give up her life for a foal - unlikely - and anyway what would be the point because the foal is most likely to die without her.
Horses form bonds and friendships. A mare will defend her foal. But it's primarily about survival. We look for much more in a lasting, loving relationship.
I appreciate the connection I have with our mares when they stand with us, lie down next to us, share breath etc. but I don't consider this to be love. I see it as a trusting bond which can be easily snapped.
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tristar
Well-Known Member
yes, the love of a horse is a special thing
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
No.
He thinks I'm an inconvenience to his life unless I am carrying carrots.
He thinks I'm an inconvenience to his life unless I am carrying carrots.
Pippin and Poppy
Well-Known Member
Are there significant differences in the way mares, geldings or stallions show affection/bonding with a human?
I've only been close to mares/fillies for so many years I don't know what differences there might/might not be.
Just curious.
I've only been close to mares/fillies for so many years I don't know what differences there might/might not be.
Just curious.
windand rain
Well-Known Member
In my experience mares are loving and caring if they feel you need that but otherwise are happy just being with you sort of along side. Gelding tend more to be food related etc but don't seem to understand emotion and it can upset them if you are upset. I guess both respond in a slightly different way in my opinion
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
No, but I have a Shetland who would choose to hang out with me/people rather than other horses. More so in his younger days, he’d come and lie with me in a stable rather than go out in the field with his friends.
Julie Ole Girl
Well-Known Member
Definitely cupboard love with my grey mare, but she's very clingy with me. If I take her somewhere in the trailer and pop in the back to get something whilst she's tied up outside, she cries if she can't see me for a minute.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
On a slight tangent, I think horses feel deep friendship and love for each other - and we should always try to facilitate a happy social/herd life for horses.
My two have been together since the younger one was foaled (16 years) and they are the best of friends. I do notice how much they touch each other, which seems to indicate a deep, long-term bond.
My two have been together since the younger one was foaled (16 years) and they are the best of friends. I do notice how much they touch each other, which seems to indicate a deep, long-term bond.
DressageCob
Well-Known Member
The horse I lost in May definitely seemed to. Or at least we had a very strong bond. There are a few examples. Whenever he saw me, whether he was in the stable or in the field, or even with someone else riding him he would do a little hoohoohoohoohoo noise with his nostrils. He occasionally would chat to others but never failed to talk to me. I was definitely his.
Then when he was in hospital every time I visited him I'd park outside his stable and shout "Hi Albie" and he would do a big neigh back.
Also when he was in hospital, the visiting hours were really strict at first and I couldn't see him for long because of work. His health deteriorated and he started looking colicky. So he was prescribed more visits with me and the visiting hours were extended to any time I could come down (which I did at least twice a day for a few hours). His condition improved and he was brighter.
some of that was probably that he was upset being away from home and having treatment, but I definitely like to think at least some of it was personal.
The big lad just likes my sweetie supply though ?
Then when he was in hospital every time I visited him I'd park outside his stable and shout "Hi Albie" and he would do a big neigh back.
Also when he was in hospital, the visiting hours were really strict at first and I couldn't see him for long because of work. His health deteriorated and he started looking colicky. So he was prescribed more visits with me and the visiting hours were extended to any time I could come down (which I did at least twice a day for a few hours). His condition improved and he was brighter.
some of that was probably that he was upset being away from home and having treatment, but I definitely like to think at least some of it was personal.
The big lad just likes my sweetie supply though ?
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
MY donkey I described above that reacts like this when I have been away for any length of time does actually have his own donkey companion as well as either one or two other horses living with him at all times. So it is not a reaction born out of desperation for company, but I do agree it is imperative that donkeys do have a companion.
I have always kept donkeys as well as horses and in my experience they all show far more character and affection and eagerness to be with you, far more than any of the horses have ever done. I love my donkeys! ?
Ellibelli
Well-Known Member
Donkeys really are very special arn't they!
Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
@Trinket12 has just posted an article that says horses release Oxytocin - the bonding/love hormone! Therefore, yes there is evidence that your horse can love you.
Reproducing it here as i think it is really interesting.
https://issuu.com/hqmagazine/docs/155b_hq_final/s/12710938
Reproducing it here as i think it is really interesting.
https://issuu.com/hqmagazine/docs/155b_hq_final/s/12710938
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
littleshetland
Well-Known Member
I went to visit my big lad at the veterinary hospital after he'd had surgery. He'd come round from the GA safely but was told on the phone still 'woozy', but come and visit. When I arrived, he heard my voice first and let out a very desperate whinny...I went in the box, put my arms round his neck and he pinned me to him with his head for a full 10 minutes - he just wouldn't let me go. Yes, he definitely loves me as much as I love him.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I do use the word love around horses and their feelings but I am not sure it’s the right word .
Horses learn to trust people and we used to be told by the experts that horses did not recognise humans as individuals anyone who has horses knows that well handled human savvy horses absolutely do .
I think think the trick is enter the horses world emotionally and not expect it to enter ours I think it’s disrespectful to horses to expect them to bond with us just because we have bought them .
When you understand the complicated web of trust friendship leadership or dominance they exist in its easier to worm your way in .
For me horses rarely do illogical things when you look at it from their side .
On the motor skills , I have often pondered why the horses you get who love flat work love it .
On the face of it from the outside there seems little in for the horse but if you pull it apart being fit and athletic is important to herd prey animal and I think that’s what they get out of it .
Horses learn to trust people and we used to be told by the experts that horses did not recognise humans as individuals anyone who has horses knows that well handled human savvy horses absolutely do .
I think think the trick is enter the horses world emotionally and not expect it to enter ours I think it’s disrespectful to horses to expect them to bond with us just because we have bought them .
When you understand the complicated web of trust friendship leadership or dominance they exist in its easier to worm your way in .
For me horses rarely do illogical things when you look at it from their side .
On the motor skills , I have often pondered why the horses you get who love flat work love it .
On the face of it from the outside there seems little in for the horse but if you pull it apart being fit and athletic is important to herd prey animal and I think that’s what they get out of it .
littleshetland
Well-Known Member
I honestly think that if they bond with you and respect you, with regards to work...they will try anything to please you. My newest horse genuinely gets upset if he feels he's got something wrong when I'm schooling him. Usually it's my fault for not asking the questions in the right way, but once he's settled and realised he's done nothing wrong he will try and try to please me. Is this love? possibly not, but it shows incredible generosity of spirit that feels very much like love...(god, I'm so soppy).
Zuzan
Well-Known Member
I think that also goes for humans too .. and its interesting regarding the Oxytocin hormone as I suspect like humans horses will release endormorphins during exercise which gives us a buzz but probably a bigger effect is that the fitter a person is this tends to increase their confidence and feeling of well-being .. evolutionary speaking this makes a lot of sense so I would assume that the same is true of horses too.
Horse2018
Well-Known Member
Yeah she acts like a gard dog ? she is very protective over me and changes a other horses. My mother thinks she should have been born a dog.
Cinnamontoast
Fais pas chier!
Difficult to say. He protects me from other horses and chases them off in the field. He grooms my bad leg, doesn’t do grooming otherwise. He’ll kick his door and it turns out he just wants me to stand next to him, which is annoying, but sort of sweet. He likes to just be held, but mostly I think he just thinks ‘food lady, excellent!’
He’s a swine to catch except for me and only comes to call for me. The groom too an hilarious video where she went to catch in and he ignored her, then when she finally caught up to him, he looked all amazed that she wanted him, I was dying!
He’s a swine to catch except for me and only comes to call for me. The groom too an hilarious video where she went to catch in and he ignored her, then when she finally caught up to him, he looked all amazed that she wanted him, I was dying!
Zuzan
Well-Known Member
Do Horses have a Sense of Humour?
mini_b
Well-Known Member
someone shared a link the other day saying that horses can experience the effects of oxytocin when they feel safe. I think that’s quite wonderful and close to “love”.
I do agree some people feel disappointed when they expect their horse to follow, call, allogroom etc as if they were part of the herd. (Usually newish owners) There are some exceptions but I think we are all very lucky that we have generally amenable equine companions.
When I was young I had a mare that was literally joined at the hip with me from very early on. I was so disappointed as an adult when my boy was so aloof with me, for months.
it has taken years to develop the working relationship we have now. He definitely prefers me and will guard me from others. Not sure if that’s resource guarding?
Saying that, he will do bloody anything for me now when when I first got him I couldn’t make head nor tail of him! He was working out whether I was to be trusted or not!
Tilly676
New User
She doesn't love me, because horses don't love us. They can trust us, respect us and a special bond can be created but no, I wouldn't say love.
mini_b
Well-Known Member
I would have said this! I staunchly believed that only working relationships with horses existed but after being informed that horses experience effects of oxytocin when they feel safe I now feel differently.
but this perhaps depends on a human individuals perception of what “love” is.
Griffin
Well-Known Member
My mare and I had a very difficult relationship when I first bought her. She finds it difficult to trust and was going through a horrible teenager phase.
However, over the years we have really become a team and just 'get each other'. I undoubtedly love her but I think in the last year or so, she has come to trust me and quite likes me. She calls me from the field and if I haven't seen her for 24 hours, she wants to rest against me to make sure I am definitely there.
However, over the years we have really become a team and just 'get each other'. I undoubtedly love her but I think in the last year or so, she has come to trust me and quite likes me. She calls me from the field and if I haven't seen her for 24 hours, she wants to rest against me to make sure I am definitely there.