How do you say sorry to a horse?

I say sorry by making a fuss of him if it was my mistake,but if he's been naughty he doesn't get an apology. He needs to remember he can't behave in that way. I've had Bertie for 14 years and we still seem to be getting on pretty well.
 
I used to be an equestrian writer and years ago I was invited out to see a completely wild herd of horses in southern France. They were untouched by humans and when I saw the terrible injuries these animals inflicted on each other, such as huge flaps of flesh hanging off the hind quarters or neck, I realised that the odd smack to horse is something they will probably soon forget about. It is persistent cruelty that is always unforgivable.
 
I don't think they require an apology but if I have reacted a bit over the top at something or misinterpreted an action, like if I am grooming and my mare cow kicks I might give her a smack, I then realise it is fly bother and then I give her a bit of a stroke and talk calmly, just to show I am not annoyed or going to do anything sudden or uncalled for again! Obviously she needs to be careful about where she puts her legs but to some degree it is an involuntary kick and definitely not directed at me!

Apologising the next day makes no sense but I'm sure they won't mind if you want to give them extra food and a scratch to appease your own guilty conscience :-)
 
Horses read you like a book, we had a CBxTB mare, after 2 hrs of trying to load her at 5am my OH lost his temper with her, I took over and after another hour, I lost my temper and in sheer temper, went to kick her (not proud of it) OH suggested letting her settle in her stable, to which I replied "she's going in the trailer, dead or alive", we stood, her at the top of the ramp, me in the doorway (with a broken hand) I had a ciggie, she got her breath back and we both calmed down, 2 mins later she walked into the trailer, mare wasn't scared, just knew her own mind.
We felt awful at losing our tempers, mare arrived at her new home relaxed and interested in her new suroundings, she is still the only horse I would happily take a gun to
 
You can't! Horses live in the moment and whether a reprimand or a reward 10 seconds after the act doesn't compute in their brain.....you have to live with it, learn from it and make a big effort not to do that again!!...We have all done things we were/are sorry for and the best thing we can do is not to repeat our actions!!! Flirtygirty - I love your story.....
 
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