Little whickers - any particular reason?

Montyforever

Montyforever

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2009
Messages
5,706
Location
Kent
Visit site
Just pondering this really!
I've started to spend a lot more time with Mysti just teaching her little things like back up/bow etc from voice commands. Ive been grooming her in the field and trying to desensitise her to things as she became very spooky and closed off for a while (long story - but we think someone was messing around in the stables at night and she's very sensitive)
She's been growing in confidence everyday and for the first time in the 3 years I've owned her I managed to keep her calm and take her up to the yard totally on her own (she has severe separation anxiety) and give her a little groom and turn her back out.

Today while I was giving her a bit of attention in the field she started "talking" (sorry don't know how else to describe it!) making little whicker type noises for ages like she usually does to Honey my other pony.

Shes not the most normal pony and has always been clingy and explosive. You can trust her with children but if she doesn't like a particular adult they can try as hard as they like to win her trust but she won't change!

So these little whicker type noises must have gone on for about 10 mins in the end while I was standing with her. Then she went back off to graze with Hon. Any particular reason for it? Or shall I just add it to the list of things my "special" mare does? :p
 
The TB where I keep Freddie does this when she really wants something, ie you go into the feed store, she is so happy and whickers non stop, she also does it when she sees me, and yesterday I opened the gate that was separating her and her companion and she whickered in delight, so it's obviously a happy yes please/hello sound in her case :-)
 
My Roy boy chats to me like that all the time. He even does it when I'm riding sometimes. It makes my heart hurt it's so lovely.

S'cause she loves you!
 
Nikicb - yup she's a welsh a :)

It's so sweet! Never really heard a horse do it before, it's a real turn around from the pony who was spinning around and trying to kick me every morning! Amazing what having someone living on the yard and keeping a close eye on my ponies overnight can do :)
Unfortunately he can't stay long term so it may be me in a sleeping bag in her stable after that! :p
 
montyforever said:
Nikicb - yup she's a welsh a :)

It's so sweet! Never really heard a horse do it before, it's a real turn around from the pony who was spinning around and trying to kick me every morning! Amazing what having someone living on the yard and keeping a close eye on my ponies overnight can do :)
Unfortunately he can't stay long term so it may be me in a sleeping bag in her stable after that! :p
Click to expand...

I agree it's lovely. Makes my day every time I step foot on the yard. :)
 
montyforever said:
Just pondering this really!
I've started to spend a lot more time with Mysti just teaching her little things like back up/bow etc from voice commands. Ive been grooming her in the field and trying to desensitise her to things as she became very spooky and closed off for a while (long story - but we think someone was messing around in the stables at night and she's very sensitive)
She's been growing in confidence everyday and for the first time in the 3 years I've owned her I managed to keep her calm and take her up to the yard totally on her own (she has severe separation anxiety) and give her a little groom and turn her back out.

Today while I was giving her a bit of attention in the field she started "talking" (sorry don't know how else to describe it!) making little whicker type noises for ages like she usually does to Honey my other pony.

Shes not the most normal pony and has always been clingy and explosive. You can trust her with children but if she doesn't like a particular adult they can try as hard as they like to win her trust but she won't change!

So these little whicker type noises must have gone on for about 10 mins in the end while I was standing with her. Then she went back off to graze with Hon. Any particular reason for it? Or shall I just add it to the list of things my "special" mare does? :p
Click to expand...

No idea, but that is incredibly sweet! Sounds like your work may have solidified your bond with her
 
My Ollycob does it as well, we used to have conversations when I was in the next stable mucking out my mare!
Mind you he talks to everyone on the yard.
 
I had a mare that used to whicker at my dog! The first time she did it i was in the stable with her and thought she was talking to another horse on the yard, as i looked over the stable door to see who it was i realised that she was walking round tge stable behind me whickering at my border collie who had come inside the stable without me noticing. I managed to pursuade the dog to stand still while i clipped the lead on and my mare "snuffled" her all over whickering softly all the while, it happened qiite often after that - i rarely got a whicker and then only if i had a bucket in my hand!
 
My Welshie does this a lot too - he makes lots of whickering noise when he wants me to scratch him with the curry comb - he has learnt to do this over time and now knows how to 'tell me' that he would like a scratch.
I love the noises that horses make, lightens my day no matter what day I have had.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top