Unconditional love

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Princess16

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Just musing but to me there is nothing like the nicker my boy gives me when he sees me (usually with food I might add!) which has made me think do you think horses love you for being just you (like dogs are faithful usually to one person) or are they more like cats who will quite frankly go to anyone who will feed them no matter who?
 
Hahah definately cupboard love. I do think they can recognise and trust you specifically though, especially as a rider.
 
Definitely more on the cat spectrum. Once you have given them what they want you can go, they don't care. My mare was very attached to me but when she had to go to horspital, so a very stressful event for a horse that had to be massively sedated just to be boxed, and then left in a strange environment with strange people, I was amazed to hear two days later that she had tweaked the bottom of one of the grooms - she only ever did that to me and it was her little joke.
 
Definitely cat-like, and for my horse, food-led. She respects my YO much more than me as she's the one who feeds her! But will happily follow me around the yard and come to me when called from the field.
 
Horses associate us with food (if we are the person who provides it) - I dont think they 'love' in the same way as a dog, but I think they can recognise people they are familiar with.
 
I've think it depends on the horse, my mare liked people and was happy to be with you, food or no food. My geldings are after food. However once the food is gone they do hang out for a bit. I've also had people cats I think it's too easy to label. In the end they are all individuals.:)
 
I don't agree that it is just about food, although I am aware that my 6 are especially people-orientated and love the attention. One of them spotted my young son coming back over the horizon after a morning ferreting yesterday and neighed as soon as he heard/saw the quad bike and it was in the middle of the day so not tea time or breakfast time.
 
I think the provision of food helps but not all horses are cat like in this (just as not all cats are)
1 of mine is the most loyal horse I've ever known. Not just to me but also to my children (there have been incedents of him 'protecting' them from other horses they see has a threat to them) mind you he has been a huge part of my life for 19 years so I've been his constant.

There were reports in the First World War of horses refusing to leave their fallen riders, often standing guard over their bodies.

The horse & owner/rider relationship is a tricky one.
 
It's a tricky one, I'm not sure we can group all horses together.
Sadly (for me) though, my pony is very much more cat-like in that he's pleasant to everyone, food or no food. We have a strong bond and have an understanding that he doesn't share with anyone else - but this is just because I am his owner - if it wasn't me he'd have that bond with another.
The sole mare on the yard is slightly more dog-like though, she 'tolerates' me (pulls faces at me, doesn't like fuss) but won't do this to her owner. Our relationship improves if I have food, and she's undergoes a personality transplant when she's in season - nice to everyone!
 
I think some horses are attached to their people. My OH's Cleveland Bay certainly is. When he first arrived he was huffy and difficult to handle and seemed to do everything holding a protest sign. It took about six months for him to settle to his new person and will do anything for her now. Apparantly loyalty is a trait they are known for but it does mean non owners think they're difficult and stubborn.
 
In general, horses prefer the company of other horses to that of humans. Dogs, if socialised with both humans and other dogs, would choose the humans every time. With the exception of dogs that are kept outside with other dogs. Horses are more like cats in their relationships with humans.
 
One of my two is very independent and quite happy without me - she knows me but im very realistic about how attached she is to me! My other mare is different though and is far more open and giving - it means she's also quite attached to other horses and whilsy i would never compete with one of her own she is definitely attached to me and is calmer with me than other people.
 
My new horse (I've had him 3 months) is very definitely not bothered by people but I'm working on at least an acknowledgement that I bring his his food and look after him, but after 18 months on an incredibly busy hunting yard, plus being on an eventing yard prior to that with lots of people handling him I think it will take a while.

My first horse had to go in for surgery and they were trying to take his shoes off while I signed the paperwork - they called me back urgently as he was very distressed and difficult and all I had to do was stand in the corner of the box and talk to him and he relaxed. They asked me to stay with him until he was under the anaesthetic and to be there when he came round and he was as calm as he could be. I was very touched to see how much he appreciated me being there.
 
Depends on the horse. Some form a strong bond with a particular person, others don't really mind as long as they get fed etc.
 
My horse is a gentleman with everyone, although will look around if I shout 'Jakey-Jake' in a specific way.

However my cats, who I have had for 15 years, are definitely people cats. They follow me around the house, if I am sat on the sofa they will sit ON me and nowhere else, they're not allowed in my room but will sleep on mums bed with her, and are usually found sitting, waiting in the hallway when I get home (I guess they know the sound of the car). They have food available 24/7 so it's nothing to do with this.

I therefore think it's based on the specific animal rather than the species.
 
Bucket love all the way with mine. I don't fool myself that they would have any loyalty to me given a choice. One would mob anyone for a scratch, the other couldn't care less and would actively avoid human contact given the option.
 
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