Liking the round pen?

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Dry Rot

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I've noticed my ponies actually seem to like going into the round pen. Can't think why as that's where they find work and having to do what they are told! But there seems to be no doubt about it. I'd also expect some resentment after being worked, but quite the opposite. They show their affection after work is finished! Or perhaps they are happy it's over? Or have I got a bunch of masochists?

Anyone noticed this?
 
Not the round pen, but mine went from never having really done a days work in his life and about 4 months off to proper work. Lots of slow steady walking with the big hunt horses to start and now hes cantering and doing little jumps. He LOVES it and is so happy to be working! He gets upset if the others go out without him. I think some horses just like to work, so long as its sensible work within their capabilities. Its been the making of him! Hes gone from a teenage cob hooligan to a very lovely and pleasant little horse and I am beyond thrilled :)
 
Thanks for that. It is so interesting to get a little insight into what is going on between those ears! One pony here will actually give a sort of cuddle when work is over, pushing his face into my chest. He has not been the easiest, so I'm assuming he is saying, "I'm trying, I really am!" Dealing with a LOT of dogs over several decades, I pretty well understand them, but horses are still a mystery to me beyond the ordinary mechanical things.
 
My ponies attitudes are certainly better after work. After a days hunting they are positively loving!!!

I think work must create some kind of feel good release, similar to in humans.
 
Possibly horses are naturally subservant and enjoy being dominated. After all, we've surely been selecting for that! Dominant horses are a pain!
 
I thought it was usual for horses to be soppier after work, just assumed it was some sort of endorphin type thing. My old horse used to give me big head rubs if he thought I had ridden well (no, of course I'm not being anthropomorphic, and I can't believe it had anything to do with the fact that when I rode less badly than usual it might have caused him to sweat very slightly under his bridle!)
 
My horse loves working. He always comes up to me to be caught in the field and once he's been ridden he has this soft relaxed look in his eye. They are athletic creatures and more intelligent than we give credit for so as long as they are worked with respect and empathy this doesn't surprise me!
 
My perspecitve is that horses like a to be able to understand their relationship to their humans... working them (sympathetically) gives them rules and boundaries so they understand how to relate to us and what we are asking of them.. Horses are social animals they are highly motivated to develop an understanding of how to behave.
 
Depends on the horse i suppose. My little mare is foul if shes made to work lol but then she is very cold anyway, i dont think shes ever really been a bonding type horse. Shes the bottom of the pecking order too.
 
Dry Rot said:
Possibly horses are naturally subservant and enjoy being dominated. After all, we've surely been selecting for that! Dominant horses are a pain!
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I think leadership for most horses is not a pleasant thing ,most prefer to be led, it was probably not as dangerous .
I think most horses are more pleasant when in work and perhaps that the vast majority of horses are kept in paddocks that do not provide them with the movement they are designed to do and work helps to make up for this.
 
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