Horse licking my hands, does anyone else's horse do this?

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A horse I ride at the weekends, Jack, has started licking my hands after riding and un tacking. He'll do it for ages, even if I have gloves on. It's a bit like he's looking for treats?? It feels quite odd - his tounge fills my whole hand!

He is not mine so I don't control what he eats (he lives out)

Has anyone else ever had this?
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it is because you have salt on your hands.
When he sweats he loses salt so is trying to replace it by licking your hand!
A salt lick in the stable will do the trick!
 
I thought it was if a horse could taste salt (from sweat) on you that it did it? Josh will do it if I let him - but not when I'm wearing gloves
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My pony loves to lick after eating polo's too! In the summer when I don't have sleeves on she is quite happy to lick the whole of my arms!! If I don't let her lick my hands then she'll lick the fence or gate, she's done it for her whole life!
 
If I give my horse any treats - mints, apples, carrots etc, he always licks the metal grill around the stable and will lick my hands or clothes for ages.
 
Extremely daft but I thought it was something to do with the mint tingling on her tongue......Well until she started doing it in the eves when I said bye, she'd be eating her dinner and come over the door for a kiss while proceeding to lick my face! eurgh!!! Nothing like true love.....?!?!
 
My mare does it after polo's and some treats...licks wood/metal grill...its something about the peppermint i think.

I used to groom a mare who would like you all over, clothes, hair, boots...you would come out drenched...she had a salt lick...she was a very affectionate girl!!!!
 
Thanks for the replies! Glad to know he's not just an odd horse!

I will suggest a salt lick to the owner... she may not like some suggesting differences in how to care for her horses though, worth a try.
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Well until she started doing it in the eves when I said bye, she'd be eating her dinner and come over the door for a kiss while proceeding to lick my face! eurgh!!! Nothing like true love.....?!?!

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DITO! Jed loves to cover my in his dinner, he will also lick his stable wall for about 10 mins after his dinner. I have a nice brown patch which will need re-painting in the summer!
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He also licks my hand, legs (with trousers on), my coat, head, hair.....Oh anything really!
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Haha it's nice to know our horses are such caring sharing types!

She doesn't lick her stable (as far as I know) might look for a giveaway brown stain later though.....
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my horse does this but she also tries to eat my shoulder and in summer lick my legs if I have shorts on. Its a good thing, I wouldn't worry it obv shows your horse has a bond with you
 
My PBA has done this since she was a youngster (home bred, now 14) after she has had a treat.

My TB also does it, but doesnt need the treat first to start.

I think its quite sweet, although my hands end up in a mess!
 
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