How important is physical touch to horses?

[ImmyS]

Finn and his new field companion have been together a few weeks now. New companion is a friends approx 12hh mare and 22 years old. She is here for probably around 6 months or until I decide on a more permanent solution.

They are generally always grazing near each other and I have caught them lying down together. They seem generally very content in each other’s company and seem relaxed in themselves.

However - in no uncertain terms this pony does not want to interact with Finn.
She will not let him touch her in anyway shape or form, she likes her own space and clearly lets Finn know. This means grooming, play etc are out the window.

Finn doesn’t seem bothered and although he’s a chilled chap anyway he’s practically horizontal at the moment.

It got me wondering how important physical touch is in horse relationships or can they be quite content just being in each others company?

 

[Equi]

Bar play (or rather someone annoying the other for a few seconds before getting told to bog off) and the odd scratch mine never touch. I don’t think horses take comfort from touch. I’ve tried to watch mine for a while to see who interacts the most but it seems fairly consistent. I don’t think I’ve seen one mare grooming with anyone but her mother, but she’s generally a mardy witch so maybe it’s a case of “only a mother could love…” ?

 

[ImmyS]

Bar play (or rather someone annoying the other for a few seconds before getting told to bog off) and the odd scratch mine never touch. I don’t think horses take comfort from touch. I’ve tried to watch mine for a while to see who interacts the most but it seems fairly consistent. I don’t think I’ve seen one mare grooming with anyone but her mother, but she’s generally a mardy witch so maybe it’s a case of “only a mother could love…” ?

It is interesting watching horse interaction and relationships. Finn would groom and play occasionally with his prior field companion so I have been a bit concerned that he would be ‘missing out’. He’s also a big young horse and was worried it might have a negative affect not interacting - but maybe being told NO has been a good thing. He certainly doesn’t seem bored - he seems very relaxed. Maybe he’s happy put in his place! Not that he was a problem before but just certainly seems very settled!

 

[Peglo]

My old Peggy never lets anyone near her to groom. She wants company but only from afar. She doesn’t mind my TB but NO grooming. She will demand i give her a scratch though ?

Tali however hasn’t been able to groom the ponies for a while since they have rugs on all the time so she has been asking me to groom with her. I think she misses that interaction. So yeah for some I think they crave touch.

 

[Skib]

After a Tik Maynard clinic I began to spend time with my share horse in her box, doing nothing, not touching her, just standing at her shoulder. She began to touch me on the upper arm, regularly turning from her net and placing her hay- filled mouth on my sleeve. I could not explain why she did this but read an essay on herd behaviour in cows, who were said to touch each other.

This was not personnal affection. During the last lock down my student grand daughter rode her in my place and my grand daughter too stood in the box, doing nothing while the mare ate, and she received the same touches.

 

[Mero]

I have geldings spanning from 18 months to 22 years and a mare. The boys play constantly, for at least 1-2 hours a day they play bitey face and rearing games and galloping games. The geldings also do mutual grooming with the mare. They often stand side by side touching each other or with the mare resting her head on one of the geldings. She likes a good run round with them but is happy to leave them to the biting games. So for my guys touch seems pretty important.

 

[GinaGeo]

For three of mine touch is important.

They play a lot of boy games. They groom each other regularly. They stand very close to each other when chilling.

The fourth is much more aloof, but he is a more recent addition, and was kept traditionally for much of his life. He doesn't seem to have quite the same social skills the others possess.

 

[tatty_v]

My new boy is obsessed with touch, both human and equine. It can actually be quite frustrating sometimes as it’s like having an overgrown Labrador ? by contrast my old boy needs company (literally cannot be turned out alone) but does not tolerate any form of grooming (again human or equine) or play. Each to their own!

 

[Sussexbythesea]

My two geldings one 26yrs and one 12yrs are very pair bonded. They hang out together a lot and groom a lot. If I take their rugs off the first thing they do is mutual grooming. The younger one does push the older one around a little and sometimes pushes him out the way or makes him get up when rolling so he can roll in the same spot. My oldie used to be on individual turn-out but would groom with his neighbour either over the fence or on the yard. He used to always mutual groom with a friends horse who I used to hack regularly with from a different yard. When I got my second horse he dumped him ?.

They both love being groomed and scratched or rubbed by me and are very affectionate.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

One of mine loves people just as much as other horses and plays quite happily in the field. In the box he will present his back end for a good scratch between the legs or in places he can’t reach and has been known to squash me while drooling with happiness. The Connie on the other hand is the equine version of a recluse. Happy alone, doesn’t like being fussed, hates being groomed by anyone, is quite aggressive towards other horses and will bite any human that annoys him. His previous occupation was show pony.

 

[ImmyS]

It’s funny isn’t it. Finn was previously quite ‘in your face’ and liked to be involved with everything when with his previous companion. He still enjoys human company and will sometimes come over to grab my poop scoop or my hood - but generally he seems quite happy to carry on eating/chilling now rather than interrupting every yard chore I’m try to do ?

 

[Lois Lame]

It sounds like Finn respects his friend's needs.

 

[Trouper]

I can't remember exactly how old Finn is (sorry!) but I wonder if his behaviour is more to do with herd dynamics with his companion. An older mare will often be "in charge" and a youngster will know his place - and be quite happy and content in that situation, hence his relaxed behaviour. With others of equal status in the pecking order they will often play/groom each other more.

 

[ImmyS]

I can't remember exactly how old Finn is (sorry!) but I wonder if his behaviour is more to do with herd dynamics with his companion. An older mare will often be "in charge" and a youngster will know his place - and be quite happy and content in that situation, hence his relaxed behaviour. With others of equal status in the pecking order they will often play/groom each other more.

He will 4 in May so still a young chap. I do feel this is probably the case.

 

[maya2008]

I think it depends on the horse. My two New Forests like to sleep next to each other, touching, and regularly nuzzle on rides and play in the field (they grew up together in the same herd) whereas my older mare only touches another horse to groom, and not that often.

 

[milliepops]

Mine are all different. the oldies seem to be more about company than touch. but this is something thats on my mind currently as i have just crowbarred my 3yo out of his cosy nursery environment where he and my yearling filly hung out a lot together and played/groomed frequently.

He's on box rest atm and I have put him within easy touching distance of my other gelding who likes to play (they have corner stables so the doors meet) but they will need a bit of time to sort out the dynamic i think.

My other horse on that yard initiates human touch frequently but never touches another horse because she strikes out every time without fail.
I'm considering how to arrange it so the 3yo will be able to have grooming/play opportunities when he is allowed turnout because it's likely the other 2 will be moving away. I can move another one in, it's just a question of *who*. Hmmmmmmmmm

 

[Goldenstar]

We have four geldings they touch each other a lot ,play ,grooming a fair bit of it is boy argy bargy.
I bought one who had been in a no touch situation directly before he came to us he was desperate to groom another horse .
I think my some of my mares where more my space people.