Would/do you let strangers pat your horse?

Would you let a stranger pat your horse

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tallyho! said:
Why are you asking?? Possibly the most bizarre question I've ever seen... personal opinion, not a dig or anything.
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Haha I know it's a bit of a pointless question, I was just wondering because of someone telling me they wouldn't let anyone near their (friendly, well-behaved) horse out on a hack in case he accidentally hurt them and they sued, so I wondered if other people shared this opinion. I'm glad to see they don't. :D
 
About 10 years ago I was hacking back from a PC rally at a friend's yard with my sister, and there were two young girls by the side of the road talking about the two horses.

Jen and I stopped to chat to them and their parents came out. The children asked if they could pat the horses, who fortunately were being very good considering they were on their way home!

The girls loved patting the horses and asked if they could sit on them. The parents seemed happy so Jen and I jumped off, put our hats on them and they had a little ride up the road and back.

Both horses were fab (Blackjack was doing RDA work as well then anyway and was a dope on a rope for the child) and it also did a lot for horsey PR in the area.

I'm not so sure I'd do it these days and definitely not with Jazzy but what's the harm?

It's most little girls dream to ride a horse and the equine community are regularly regarded by the wider population as stuck up snobs so why not open up a bit?
 
I actually offer if I see a small child (with a responsible adult of course). My horse loves kids for some odd reason, and little kids are just so chuffed to be able to pat and stroke him because he's so big I just love to see how incredibly pleased it makes them that they've been brave enough! They are always attracted by him because of his size, and will already be gazing at him with a mixture of fear and awe. He's also very, very gentle as many of the big horses are. Wouldn't do it if other horses were around or anything though, he's good as gold but there's only so much you can ask and the consequences of him stepping into one could be fatal.
 
Somebody once asked me if their child could stroke my pony. We were on our way home and it was a very hot day. The pony was very sweaty (we had just climbed a steep hill) so this poor child got a shock, expecting a nice furry pony but getting a wet sweaty neck to stroke instead!
 
Lottie, anyone, as long as they are nice to her, she loves it, especially little people, she loves those.

Ice, it never really comes up as she doesn't go out much, she loves fuss but can move quickly so children I'd be cautious with. She also takes offence at some people so it would depend what her ears were doing!

Beau, not if I can help it. She does like very little people but absolutely hates being stroked by strangers as a rule so I don't inflict it on her, have had comments on here for saying this before along the lines I should teach her to tolerate it but I don't show, so no strangers need to touch or ride her, she has provision for if anything happens to me with people she knows who know her and will continue to jump her and not require her to be touched so I see no need. She will tolerate it but is very tense and wide eyed. She is pink skinned and sensitive so maybe that doesn't help. She also grew up with no other horses in a private home with only a few people about. She stands and lets a vet get on with it and behaves if we have to have a different blacksmith or anything but I do tend to ask for the same vet, because I have a lot of faith in him as a vet though, not just to pander to Beau's whims!

I do explain that she is a nice horse but she is very shy and dislikes being touched by strangers though, I don't just rudely say no!! Little children have been known to tell her she is a very good pony for knowing her stranger danger!
 
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I would as long as the horse wasn't wound up or likely to take a chunk out of said person.

Not many people ask me but I have offered before when out hacking and children gaze open mouthed at us, I always remember back to when I was a child and couldn't have a pony, being able to pat/stroke a passing horse would have made my day :)


I just remembered a funny little story from a couple of years ago. Millie was at her first ever competition (Hunter trial) and was probably the smallest pony there (12hh). Once she had done her round and we were un-tacking at the box a man and his child came over, I was thinking they were going to ask if they could stroke her (which I would have been cautious about as she is not the most gracious of mares with strangers!), but instead they came and asked if they could have a ride on her! Errrr NO, does she look like a seaside donkey to you?!?
 
Yep, will happily let most people pat either of the two as they love the fuss and are well behaved and love attention :) Always comes with a caveat of be careful esp for young uns.
 
I have no issue with it. Aslong as they are sensible about it. If the do something i disagree with i wouldnt have a problem telling them to leave. I am more worried with current lad as he is a OTTB so still unpredictable.
I am however 21 and still want to strke and horse/dog that i walk past!! I talk to them rather than the owner (oops) i once walked upto and under a police horse i was about 4, it was about 17.2!! My mum nearly had a heartattack apparently!!
 
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