how do you know your horse cares about you?

[darkhorse123]

I own a cob - selfish, grumpy, moody.

But last summer he surprised me

Id gone to see him in his shared field and whilst i was groooming him the other horses got spooked and started racing round like idiots

I got to thefence to make my way down to gate and my lad walked with me all the way on the outside, him between me and the herd. He really did escort me out of the field.

He had never shown so much affection before or hasnt since, hes so not a cuddly bloke lol - but i will never forget that day

So - when did you know your horse actually cared about you rather than any food you might be carrying?

 

[ebonyallen]

When I loose my balance and fall over my girl will lower her head to me and wait till I get up, and walks at snail mile per hour as I am unable to walk very fast love her to bits

 

[Jesstickle]

I don't think my pair do! They take every opportunity to be utterly vile to me. Horrible ingrates!

 

[Mike007]

Bob the not a cob demonstrated his concern for me on boxingday. Some eejit thought that wearing a six foot span pair of fairy wings to the boxingday meet was in good taste, I didnt mind except that she galloped up behind my horse ,and scared the daylights out of him.He panicked and was set to bolt,but saw that I was hanging on (just ) with one hand on his neck and my boot behind the cantle, I was so gone. He stopped rock still, trembling with fear and let me scramble back on.Just like your horse ,mine deserves a medal.

 

[dafthoss]

I genuinly dont think he does. He works better for me but I know what buttons to press and he likes to try new people out and he doesnt often get ridden properly by other people. He is also slightly better behaved with me on the ground but again I know him and others dont and he is the questioning sort.

 

[Megibo]

i don't really have good examples, but when she was on loan for 6 or so months i saw her twice and both times she neighed and trotted up to me when she saw me and pushed her head to me for cuddles. still get upset (feel guilty for letting her go there but it was mums decision).

and with my new horse she is very jealous of the time i spend with him (which isn't much to be frank, i bring him in and groom him as he is a baby!)
usually she likes every horse but its just him she does not like him at all! makes it clear and when i stand on the yard with her and he comes to the fence she goes for him! bless her green cotton socks!

 

[CarolineJ]

About 10 days ago - he was grazing in the bottom of the hill field at breakfast time (unusual; he's normally hanging around the field shelter with his FEED ME, WENCH!!!! face on), so I walked down to the top of the hill and called him. He came charging up and I assumed he was going to blast straight past and up to the shelter in the next field for his grub, but he skidded to a halt in front of me, gave me a 'good morning' snuffle and then took off again. Quite an 'awwwwwwwwwww' moment

 

[Chestnut mare]

I love it when you walk into the field and she sees me and walks over or when I walk onto the yard in the morning and she calls to me.

 

[horsesatemymoney]

years ago, hacking out, and a car reversed at us, she jumped onto the kerb out of the way

I know they care as they winnie when they see me (but I think that's as I usually have food!)

 

[caramel]

Mine calls to me whenever he sees me. He also walks up to me in the field. There's this funny little noise he makes when his dinner's brought out, or when he wants something He's so safe, never gives me that "I'm going to come off" feeling.

 

[samsbilly]

My boy calls for me when i turn up and ignores everyone else. When my husband was in afghan i spent many an evening crying into his neck. He would just stand there and turn his head to look at me. He was what got me through it. There is something very comforting about that horsey smell x

 

[icyfreya]

The other day I was really upset and stressed about everything going belly up (A level exams in 2 weeks and just lost my job) - went out to the field, bawling my eyes out, he just came over and stood with me with his head on my shoulder, and i really felt like he was trying to comfort me. He is also quite an affectionate boy, always calls to me when he sees me and will follow me around like a lost puppy such a sweetie. If i had a very grumpy/moody horse (although micks can have his moods!) don't think i could keep going, all the freezing dark early mornings and the hard work!
hope this pic works

[/IMG]

 

[riding_high]

my one pony (5yrs old) does lots of little things for me but the one thing that stands out in my mind is a recent incident whilst hacking.

he's not done much hacking and in fact throughout this year we've been backing him, i went for a hack with 2 other horses, both were massive (compared to my little tiddler), we were at the back and the first horse spooked at some sheep in another field so spun round making the 2nd horse spin and nearly crash into us, my pony turned round but got caught up in the grass so fell to his knees.
i thought i was coming off but bless him he lifted his head up (i was sat on the top of his neck by his head) and got up then just stood still while i shuffled back onto the saddle, the whole time the other 2 horses were either freaking or running around but he just stood still.
i couldn't have been prouder of him if i tried. i know most ponies/horses would have taken the opportunity to bronc until you were off especially as 1, i was on his head (pretty much) and 2, he's only just seeing the world!

he then led the way past the scary sheep and back again!

another time the woman who was helping me get him started took him into the field for his first proper canter and rabbits and birds shot out in front of him so he obviously spooked to the side, she came off (taking bridle with her), she said he ran away then came back over to her asking for the bridle to be put back on and looking very concerned. she said she couldn't have been angry at him as he did nothing wrong and looked to be full of remorse!

 

[Shantara]

He loves cuddles from me
He's saved me once from an over enthusiastic youngster too!
Today whilst leading him around the big scary field (A first for him) he spooked and I though he was going to take off...he didn't! He took a few steps, then came and hid behind me!
Also when I fell off in the show, he didn't turn and kick, he didn't run, he didn't pull away...he stood there, almost saying "What are you doing down there? Did I do that?"

I'm sure he doesn't care for me as much as I like to think, but I'm sure there's some emotion there!

ETA: My cat, who I thought couldn't show any emotion but hate towards me, really touched me a few years ago. I was very very ill, laying in the bathroom, unable to move, apart from to throw up. The cat wandered in and looked at me, purring. Then she put her paw on my hand and sat there looking like "Tell anyone about this and it won't be pretty...but I'm here"
Since then, she's been quite friendly with me I guess she cared deep down all the time.

As far as the dog goes...she loves EVERYONE XD so nothing special there, haha!

 

[millikins]

My grumpy old bag of a pony mare bites me. usually very gently but on the rare occasions she forgets I'm not really another horse she gets all soppy as if apologising!

 

[darkhorse123]

The other day I was really upset and stressed about everything going belly up (A level exams in 2 weeks and just lost my job) - went out to the field, bawling my eyes out, he just came over and stood with me with his head on my shoulder, and i really felt like he was trying to comfort me. He is also quite an affectionate boy, always calls to me when he sees me and will follow me around like a lost puppy such a sweetie. If i had a very grumpy/moody horse (although micks can have his moods!) don't think i could keep going, all the freezing dark early mornings and the hard work!
hope this pic works

[/IMG]

love this pic - happy new year to everyone with "dont care" horses - im so sure they do

 

[black_horse]

by covering me in slobber/mud/alfa and or likit off her muzzle. When she kisses me like this i know she loves me

In all seriousness when i was healing from my accident i dropped my crutches by accident and collapsed a little, she stood by me (un tied) until i manage to stand again, but i couldnt walk so she let me rest on her and as i hopped to somewhere to sit down she walk with me. 1....2....3....awwwww

 

[Spotsrock]

I don't know if that's the right term but I know my girls like me and what I can do for them lol

 

[fidleyspromise]

Highland - when I first had her, I didn't want to go into the really muddy field so stood and called her. She came trotting over and popped a XC fence to see me. AND she wasn't due food as she'd had her breakfast that day.
When grooming her, it took forever, as she kept turning to give me cuddles.

New Forest - the first time she choked, she came over and in pain, leaned her head against my chest and wouldn't leave me alone. She was miserable.
- The day she got away from me with terrifying lead rope following her. calling to her she kept running to me and obv. scared so couldn't stop. I did grab the rope as she went past and hauled her to a stop. She stood beside me, again tucking her head into my side.