How did you tell you had established a bond with your horse? :)

The first time he cantered to me in the field, I had the biggest grin plastered across my face! Of course, he hasn't bothered to come to call since then - much more fun to make me walk. :rolleyes: When he was being bullied by another horse in his field, he used to refuse to go near the gate if the other horse was guarding it, so the first time he followed me past the bully horse and trusted me and my flicky-leadrope to protect him I felt very close to him too.
 
Starla used to follow me whenever we were somewhere new that she wasn't sure of. Nose glued to my back! I could get off at a competition and let go of her, she'd follow me to the lorry and stand so close to me as I untacked her. I had to remember to put her head coller on and tie her up though, or else she'd follow me when I wondered off to get a coffee! She used to recognise my car too, and as soon as she spotted me she would come cantering up the field to wait by the hay barn for her dinner!
 
I used to have quite a stand offish mare, until she was ill or injured then she would be all over me, I think she knew I would look after her.
As soon as she started being aloaf again I knew she was feeling better.
I had another mare who was very different, was always pleased to see me & used to whinny to me whenever she saw me.
She got a twisted gut in the spring when there was plenty of grass, so she was always in the field grazing when I went to see her but this time she was at the gate waiting for me; I'd forgotten my phone so went back home to get it, drop the dogs off at home & then went & got a head collar. She was still standing at the gate when I get back (although it would only have been about 5 minutes).
She lay down in the stable as soon as I put her in & then gave up the will to live, she never got up again. I'm sure she was hanging on for me.
 
Handy neighs to me whenever I approach his stable, he also follows me around no lead rope required. He's very affectionate anyway.
 
It's taken about 7 months coz Jack was a petrified and very aggressive little youngster when he arrived. He was so battered & bruised and had been very neglected. Would try & box my head off when I entered the stable & climb the walls if I went near him.

Perseverance has paid off & 1 day he just clicked. I can do anything with him now & he's very affectionate. Comes to call & is the most trustworthy horse I have....... around me that is. He's still very untrusting of humans & scared of everyone else. Just makes me realise how much trust he has put in me & what a bond we have. Bless him.
 
Olly was always very affectionate - I think that's just him and I'm glad the bar stewards didn't beat it out of him - but I knew we had a bond when we were walking across the yard and he was spooking at the tractor, I patted him on the neck and told him it was OK and he just walked straight past without another thought (he was and still is a very nervous boy). Now as soon as I walk on to the yard he will call to me, and we will actually have 'conversations if he's in and I'm in Youngsters stable doing something else, I'll say something and he'll answer me back!

Youngster has always been very independent but then being abandoned made her that way. She only shows affection on her own terms but every now and again will lean her head against my chest for a few minutes, or if I'm sitting in her stable she sometimes dozes off with her head on my shoulder. Apart from that she's very much her own person. Although if I've hacked alone to a show and have to get someone to hold her apparently she watches where I've gone until I come back <3
 
My most memorable moment of this was when I was snoozing with my 2 year old, both lying down in the field, me resting my head on her with my shoulder just behind her front leg (I was on my side) we fell asleep in the sun, after a while she started twitching all over (like my cat does whilst hes dreaming!) so I thought she must of been too. She woke up and sat up a bit shocked, looked at me and then put her head straight back down and went back to sleep... Were deffo friends!

I will always remember the first thing I did for her, she was about 2 hours old and was trying to go to sleep but she was in a rut of the dirt so as she drifted off and relaxed she rolled into it so woke up again. This happened a few times so I took my coat off and propped it in the rut and she fell asleep without falling into it. I think we might of been friends from then!

I dont think you can beat the bond you have when you have had them from that small. She would do anything for me.

Picture from that day-
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and now-
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