Why does my mare touch my foot in the iron?

Elsbells

Elsbells

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Hi everyone
,
This is my first posting and although I have been lurking for some time I haven't registered until tonight. It is a silly question and maybe there isn't one answer, but.......why does my mare touch and mouth my toes whilst ridden, whilst we stand quietly in the school???? I know her well. She is my first horse. She's had her trust and confidence issues. She has come on 100%. After 12 months of tears and heartache, where quite honestly she pushed me to the brink, we are now the best of friends. We trust one another and she'd walk through fire if I ask her to, so why and what does it mean? What is she trying to tell me? Anyone know?
Just curious.
 
Well I’m not sure why you mare does it, but I know exactly why my Fjord does it, because he thinks he will get a treat (and often does, so it’s our fault)! :p
 
Hello :)

I'd say it's an attention seeking behaviour it's the only bit she can reach... not necessarily a bad thing, so long as you're not planning on doing any dressage and she tries to do it when you salute!
 
Sometimes the ponies I ride do it for what I think is no reason, then I find out my foot is a bit funny in the stirrup, maybe heels not down. I like to think there trying to tell me something, rather than being nosey :D
 
A pony I used to ride at a riding school before I got my own pony used to do it and my pony now does it on occasion. Like you say it's usually when we pause in the school between things and I can't work out whether it's a cute thing or an evasion tactic!, it's always only my left boot he turns to so maybe it's a neck stretch of his own after work and sometimes he seems to be sniffing at the sole of my boot. Don't know why they do it really.
 
myn gives me a nudge in the foot when we are out riding if he spots a horse eating monster that he doesnt want to pass first, he stops and gives me a few nudges I either have to get off and lead past with a giraffe, or we turn into a giraffe as we pass with persuasion and then turn into a racehorse after, just in case the horse eating monster tries to follow us. He also does this once were back at the yard a sort 'right off now its dinner time'
 
I've noticed Bentley does this too :D It is normally when I am asking him to "walk on" and he is having a wobble in confidence... he also mouths my arm if he gets nervous walking past something new when I lead him in hand :D

Personally I find it quite touching that he can draw confidence from me in this way (I probably reinforce the behaviour by telling him he is a "good boy" and giving him a pat) although no doubt he will be accused of biting before too long :rolleyes:

I definitely don't think there is any harm in it :D
 
My Horse does it once we have had a lesson or got back from a hack if i dont get off fast enough! He nudges me & Looks at me as if to say "get off now ya fatty!" ;)
 
My horse does it too. He does it at the end of a lesson or hack. Always thought he was just telling me to hurry up and get off!
 
T did it the first time I sat on him (first person to ever sit on him) as if to say ''What's that doing there?'' :)
He does it now when we've been schooling for, say, 45 mins and I halt for any reason. I'm sure it's a hint that says ''Right, that's enough, off you get'' :p :)
 
Haha my pony does this normally while we're waiting around and I took it as him saying "you getting off now or what, I'm getting fed up with you now!" lol :D
 
Archie does this too. I like to think its his way of saying 'Hi mum, thanks for taking me out today ...' oh, and he always gets a face scratch and an ear pull whilst he's at it. I love him for it and its a special moment for me when he does it x
 
Mine used to do it when he was in work, I now notice that the pony my daughe rides does it a lot, I dont think it is anything to worry about, and I like to think ( as others have said) that it is a sign to say "hey!! I am still here you know"

Well done for building your partnership though, sounds as if you have done a good job
 
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