What does head rubbing against you mean in gelding language?

[cariadbach10]

My new gelding, the lovely Alfie, insists on rubbing his head against me if I am stood near him. I'm not really sure if it's a sign of affection or him trying to dominate me....it can be a little strong sometimes! It's just over the stable door - not after we've ridden as only had him for five days and it's been too darn cold to ride him!
Any animal behaviourists out there with ideas?!

 

[MissDeMeena]

Perhaps that he has an itch, and you're the nearest thing that looks comfey to itch on

only a thought!

 

[Serephin]

I would be interested to know this as well as my gelding tries to do it to me all the time - I put it down to being itchy

 

[kerilli]

it means he's got a bit of an itch and you're convenient, and just the right mixture of soft and hard for him to scratch on...

some of mine do this, and i make sure i use my hands to scratch them, rather than them using me as a scratching post, as this can be a very hard habit to break, and a bit painful at times...!

 

[BroadfordQueen]

my mare does this to me all the time! particularly if i was brushing her face beforehand! I think its sweet, till she nearly knocks me over and gets slobber all over me!

 

[merlinsquest]

Merlin will never rub on me as I find it a bit rude, but after a ride he will hover his head near my hands and if I put one each side of his mouth he loves to rub his lips against my gloves... ahhh

Or if I scratch his withers he curls his head round and lip wiggles on my back and shoulders... double ahhh

Perhaps your horses previous owner didnt mind being used as a scratching post and he has got into the habit..... or has lice!!!

 

[soph21]

My welsh A does it all the time, he does it for attention!! as soon as I start cuddling him he stops it!

 

[henryhorn]

Scratch me here please...!

 

[Enfys]

You are a tree, and I have an itch!

My arab gelding used to do this after work, I didn't move fast enough once whilst untacking after hunting and he knocked me out. How embarrassing.

 

[_OC_]

He has no respect....I hate this habit,sorry!

 

[YorkshireLass]

It seems to mean, you are a handy scratching post, the horse does not respect your space... it is sort of a dominance thing.

 

[Mbronze]

It means you are my scratching post, my gelding loves to do itjust after you take the bridle off, and to be honest i don't mind as long as he doesn't do it too hard..

 

[Thistle]

It means he has no more respect for you than he would a fence or gatepost.

 

[peanut]

[ QUOTE ]
It means he has no more respect for you than he would a fence or gatepost.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes and no. My horse is basically very respectful but I always give her a rub under her forelock as praise after schooling rather than giving treats, so it could be said that I have encouraged the head rubbing habit. In our case I actually think my mare is asking for praise as she does it at no other time.

 

[jenbleep]

if he did it all the time then i would think it is a dominance thing - if it was now and again then i would be more inclined to think he had an inch or wanted some attention.

Whenever i take Frankie's bridle off i give his muzzle and face a rub, but when he starts to get a bit rough with it i tend to stop!

 

[Thistle]

In both those above, you are choosing to rub the horse si it is at your invite.