The majority of horses enjoy a good massage and scratch. It is essential that we can safely touch our horses everywhere on their body. Especially if they get hurt. A horse will communicate with us through body language if they are not happy or if we have hit the "awe that feels good" spot.
Horses are big animals, some more so than others, but they are so soft, fluffy and friendly it is only natural to want to pet them. The great thing is, most horses actually love when humans pet them. They will stand quietly for hours as you run your fingers over their soft hair.
4- Many horses like to be rubbed on the neck, shoulder, hip, or on the chest. Some horses enjoy having their heads and ears rubbed. Horses often groom each other on the whither, so this would be a good place to try too.
This is important because your horse likes to be able to both give and receive affection. And when we are always giving them affection it blocks their cognitive ability to reciprocate with us. You may question why your horse doesn't give you as much affection as you would like.
Touch can be connecting, soothing, reassuring, and calming.
Horses Like Humans With Calm and Happy Facial Expressions
Another study conducted by the Universities of Sussex and Portsmouth has concluded that horses are capable of recognizing human facial expressions, allowing them to react differently to those humans who they might perceive as a threat.
Much like other pets, horses use licking as a way to show their love! Breathing on you, licking, and kissing are all ways a horse may be trying to tell you how much you mean to them. They also may grasp you with their lips to pull you in, and then lick.
Horses may stare at you when they want your attention. If you are distracted or out of reach, your horse may stare at you to get you to focus on them. If there's a barrier such as a fence between you and your horse, they may stare at you since they can't reach you to nudge you.
Horses also understand words better than expected, according to the research, and possess "excellent memories," allowing horses to not only recall their human friends after periods of separation, but also to remember complex, problem-solving strategies for ten years or more.
The researchers conclude that, assuming a similar riding ability between riders, there is no fundamental difference in a horse's stress responses elicited by male and female riders.
Horses exhibit higher heart rates when separated from a human, but don't show any preference for their owners over complete strangers, the team discovered. Swedish researchers started their work with the theory that positive reinforcement training on a horse was more likely to lead to them forming a strong attachment.
Yes, they do. Very much so. And they have long memories for both the humans they've bonded with in a positive way and the ones who have damaged or abused or frightened them.
Horses have excellent memories and can remember certain people after long periods. A recent study completed in 2021 proved horses could recognize and understand human facial expressions and emotional responses. Extensive research has shown horses can maintain memories of humans when they have positive interactions.
Horses aren't just for humans to show one another affection. Did you know that horses hug too? Just make sure that you're on the horse's good side before hugging them, and remember that if they start licking you or breathing on you it is often because they appreciate your company.
Why do horses nudge you? Have you ever been nudged by a horse? Horses use body language to communicate with humans (and other horses), and one of the ways they do this is through touch. Nudging is a way for a horse to get your attention, which can signify affection or impatience.
dragging you to a patch of grass in order to graze. refusing to walk any faster when being led. jerking their head up when you ask them to lower it. not picking up their feet when asked.
Horses stomp to indicate irritation. Usually, it's something minor, such as a fly they're trying to dislodge. However, stomping may also indicate your horse is frustrated with something you are doing, and if you don't address it, he may resort to stronger signals.
Affection in Horse Terms
Kissing and hugging are human ideas of affection. Horses do “spar” (play fight) and bite at the lips, but that's even more of a reason not to kiss them there. Keep your horse's lips away from your lips. You don't want him to think you're playing and be bitten.
An Equest facilitator explained that the proper way to say hello to a horse is by gently extending your closed hand. The horse returns the greeting by touching your hand with its muzzle.
A happy, relaxed, horse
The horse is standing with a relaxed body posture, resting one hind leg, alert with ears up and facing forward, eyes open showing no white, muzzle is relaxed with oval nostrils and closed mouth.
Having your horse approach you unprompted is a sure sign that they both recognize and appreciate you. Horses easily pick up on human emotion. If you are stressed, frustrated, and angry, they will associate you with those emotions.
Give Him a Scratch
A horse looking at you and sniffing you is interested in you and what you are doing. Show him you are his new best friend by giving him a nice scratch. They aren't the kind of animals who much enjoy soft strokes; this probably tickles them more than anything.