Meaning of horse putting head over shoulder

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Mb02

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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone with any equine behavioural knowledge can give a reason for my horses behaviour. He often likes to rest his head on my shoulder whilst I stroke the top of his head. He can sit for ages whilst I do this and seems to really relax. Does anyone else’s horse do this? What does it mean? Thanks in advance.
 
hehe yeah one of mine does this and likes to have a good snooze. she's generally quite a tactile horse, I think she just feels comfortable. she doesn't do it without invitation so I don't think it's anything to worry about.
 
Whenever a new horse gets introduced to the field (after being over the hedge for a few days) we do it one at a time. They go out with Archie first as he's super friendly but quiet and then add the others over the next hour. We tend to stay to keep an eye as this happens. As soon as the playful ones go out you can guarantee there'll be a bit of running about by 4 horses. The 5th - Archie - will be hiding behind me with his head on my shoulder. He'll only go to join them when they settle down. This is when we can let the 6th - Monty - out. He's very precious about his own space and can get quite grumpy about horses getting too close to him. He'll then go and hide behind Archie until the new one has given up trying to say hello.
 
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My new mare loves this to somedays it leads into ear rubs but not always. Sorry to be typical, H&H but sometimes is worth mentioning to physio as they can be doing it to stretch and ease any tension in their TMJ and neck.
 
This made me laugh! When my cob was 2 yrs old she came and stood with her head on my shoulder as I was filling the water bucket in the field with a hosepipe. Sister got out her phone to take a photos, cob quickly moved her head so that she was between me and the camera, just as if saying 'take your head out of my photo!' She is a very affectionate horse, even now she is an adult.
 
My coloured mare does this. She particularly used to do it at shows, if we were standing at the side of the ring, watching/waiting she would drop her head onto my shoulder and watch too. It feels very heavy when they really relax. She will also put her chin into my hand and go to sleep.
 
Quite a few of the horses I ride now (or would be riding, if it wasn't for The Confinement), or have ridden in the past, have done this.

I've always thought of it as being the same behaviour that I've seen in fields, where two horses will stand shoulder to shoulder, nibbling and rubbing each other on the shoulder and withers and resting their heads there.
 
Cuddling can show so many different things - you really need the bigger picture. It can be a sign that a mare has had a foal and is missing it - yearning for the cuddle she had with her last born. Or it can be wishful thinking - trying to win that last Soft Mint from your pocket. (That's cetainly the case if it's an Irish Draught - and give it up or you'll lose your pocket!) Or a sign of good memories - no tension where it really counts!
 
Mb02 said:
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone with any equine behavioural knowledge can give a reason for my horses behaviour. He often likes to rest his head on my shoulder whilst I stroke the top of his head. He can sit for ages whilst I do this and seems to really relax. Does anyone else’s horse do this? What does it mean? Thanks in advance.
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my boy does this when I am brushing his neck, I take it is affection as he has a soft look on his face.
 
cobgoblin said:
All of mine have done it and seem to really relax and half close their eyes.. We both enjoy the experience.

But, this being HHO I'm sure someone will be along to say it's a sign of dominance and you shouldn't let them do it...
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Too right.If you and your horse are enjoying yourselves it is obviously wrong.!
 
cindars said:
Not quite the same but my mare who was a brood mare for many years will put her head and neck round me and tuck me into her chest very sweet.
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Mine too. We call her the attention whore as she just loves attention and wants to be touched and fussed with all the time.The neck round cuddle is one of her party tricks though.
 
In my horses case, it meant, I'm here you blind bat.
I'd gone to bring him in at sunset and walked purposely to the far side of the field to catch a dark bay horse. I was aware that a horse was following me, but ignored it, until eventually my horse stuck his head over my shoulder to stop me moving further forward. Poor lad had followed me across several acres before realising he had to take a more direct approach.
 
My chap will do it , and loves to have the inside if his ears rubbed at the same time, .....he has a very heavy head when he totally relaxes, but you cant beat the warm breath from a pony on your neck
 
Mine loves to do this, he’ll pop his head on your shoulder, his ears will go floppy and his eyes will close as he enjoys a head massage. He’ll let me pick his head up and swap shoulders too when he starts to get a bit heavy! So cute ?
 
Fergus does it both because he's a nosey buggar who likes to investigate what I'm doing & to demand head rubs, cuddles & ear scratches (& food!). He also likes trying to sneak up on me & eat my phone
 
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