Why have I not seen a video address these things? They sound extremely important. I learned a lot as a new horse owner today. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing it with us.
So what! keep teaching us what no one else did about horses unless we pay thousands of dollars. I have read books about horses and most of your "No beating around the bush" and necessary information was not there Thank you, I love your accent. I have one also.
Circle them -- slowly and smoothly pull their head to your hip. you want to practice this on the ground, and I highly recommend a horse (often also human) chiropractor visit first. Chiro can instruct you on stretches on ground and from the saddle. Don't ever yank their head to your hip or you two could tumble like i an old western movie. For the bigger picture of the horse running off with you, have them on 24/7 turnout with run-in, and lower their protein percentage.
Hello Nicole, I am very blessed to be the caregiver of a wild mustang stallion who was found alone and starving on the range due to the fact that he is so old that he has worn his teeth down to nubs. He is estimated to be 25+ years old. While many people said I would never be able to "gentle" him (touch him, halter him, etc.) due to his age and how wild he was at capture, he has proven to be a very affectionate horse who bonds deeply with the few people he knows and trusts, particularly me. I would say he is still quite wild in that he reacts quickly and "big" if something is unusual or startling, and as he was a herd stallion for many, many years, he has a real sense of himself, how life is supposed to be, and what his position is in the world. That said, he is without a mean bone in his body and has never tried to hurt me in any way, though he tells me quite clearly when I have done something that displeases him. I often feel that I am dealing with a "king", who graciously deigns to interact with me! I have tried extremely hard to work with him in a way that allows him to choose what he is okay with, and when he is okay with it. Thus, we have developed a way of being together that feels deeply respectful and pleasing on both sides, I would say. What I wanted to ask you about is the fact that he really, really likes it when I use my hands to gently "nibble" at the corners of his mouth, and to cup and rub his chin. He gets very calm and soft-eyed, and these things seem to comfort him. Often, I will do this for a bit, then stop and step slightly away, and he will step closer to me again and touch me softly with his lips to "ask" for more. He will also sometimes very gently nibble my hand or even sometimes hold the edge of my hand between his lips, all with a very soft, quiet expression. He also enjoys having the sides of his face stroked and his forehead rubbed. Doesn't really seem to like being stroked anywhere else very much, though I can touch him all over if he is in a quiet mood. Anyway, sorry about going on here, but I would be very interested to hear your take on his apparent touch preferences. He is fascinating to me -- such a "pure" horse, and so expressive! Thank you!
You are very wise about horses. I have grown up around horses and I just learned a few new things from you. Your English is very good. Don't be self conscious. The words you are using are correct. Thank you sooo very much for this educational video. This is the first I have seen but I will now be a faithful watcher and fan.
Good job explaining some of the reasons horses react to being touched in different places. I find light touches will also cause them to shake their skin thinking flies have landed. I find it is better to be firm with contact and to rub, not pat, horses. Patting mimics other horses picking at each other so don't pick at your horse rub them. Rubbing mimics mutual grooming and they enjoy that. Great video!
1965, we were working on a horse ranch. Race horses. It was the weekend and I was ready to go out to the tavern but hubby was still at the barns. I went looking for him and found him in the stud barn still feeding, watering. I started walking down the breeze way and opposite the box of The Haug when he started shaking his head, stomping and squealing. Jim stepped out of the stall he was in and came down to see what was upsetting the big stud. He noticed my perfume and told me to get out of the barn on the run. Must have been good perfume, but never wore it around horses ever again.
In some perfume they use pheromones, not much but a little. Some studs react on that. Man also, but they behave more.... well you know, less honest I have the same experience, when I use perfume they want to smell it, pretty distracting so I do not wear perfume when I work with the horses.
I am SO glad that you explained this - my friends called me all kinds of names (from paranoid to plain 'moron'!) when I told them that a stallion could misinterpret things! Some male dogs (non-castrated) sniff around the crotch area of women who menstruate, for example! Strange how many people just say that this behaviour isn't sexually related!
Everything a dog (canine or human) does is sexual. My neighbor's large purse sized Pekingese dog instantly fell in love and bred my mother's large chamois purse (it was on the ground next to her lawn chair). The coin purse puppies were adorable :).
Stallions do exactly the same. Sometimes I warn visitors when one of our stallions starts to sniff there. But it looks as if many woman just ignore their feelings. I find it very embracing but thats what males do.
Twenty years working with horses and I never knew that either! Thank you. I've never been around stallions though because I knew I did not know enough. Thank you for such useful information.
That part low on the chest is very soft and feels nice that's why people touch it, not realising it is a sexual place on a stallion/gelding. Same with the muzzle, it's very soft. Very helpful video, thank you.
Yes this is the same for dogs. I used to work with dogs and petting the male dogs on the chest as a reward is very stimulating. Many people do it, but with dogs there's no fear of being jumped and injured.
Why not? This is an entire (non neutered male) and we had stallions for about 15 years. Never had any aggression towards any human. Perhaps it helps when you are polite to a horse, for me that worked best.
What a beautiful and well behaved boy! He is so calm and trusting. And what a great talk. Too many people lack this simple knowlege of horses and their body language. It is such a shame to see a horse suffer for a humans stupidity as so often they are the ones punished not the human.
I have ridden and trained many horses as a young teen and young adult. Many of which had a very strong bond with me. Yes the mouth and nose is ver sensitive but also an erogenous/ emotional space. However, once a strong bond is achieved, I would find my horses allowing me to pet, nibble and even kiss their snouts and noses. I had one gelding nibbling on my ears and I enjoyed him breathing on me in moments of complete relaxation after a working session when I rewarded him with a solarium (infrared lamps). He loved it. Horses are insanely smart and have emotional intelligence.
Very helpful...I never knew about the errogenous zone between their front legs but it certainly makes sense. Also, your video has given me an even deeper appreciation for how I show respect and reverence for the horse when touching it. Thank you.
The zone between their legs makes sense now. I have a german warmblood, white male. I'm a woman myself and always cuddle with him. Of course I also pet him between his front legs and I noticed that he was indeed responding, but at the time I didn't know why he did that because he wasn't peeing. My really strong big mare is a kind of sassy horse. I always wish to pet her too but before I got her (I rescued her) she was beaten and many other stuff. Now everytime I want to scratch her bum or her neck she gets so angry at me and it makes me sad because I want her to enjoy human contact, she means so much to me. Though when I ride her she's always having a fun time so that's good. Thanks for making this vid, very helpful!
Very good video. From my trainer I also learned that petting the horse's withers is the best area to calm it down since that's where horses always start when they're grooming each other. Also, you can teach your horse to sink its neck when you pet there, which also calms the horse down since it's you practically telling the horse that it's "safe enough to graze here" so if your horse trusts you, this is the easiest way I learned to tell it that there's nothing to be afraid of. Both when riding or on the ground.
I've been horse riding a handful of times and I've never pet them around the face when the instructor tells me it's ok. I've only ever rubbed the neck or shoulder. For any animal, I've always felt the head/nose is too vulnerable to touch unless I know them well.
I usually offer my hand for sniffing and gently touch his nose with the back of my index finger...once. Then I pet him (lightly) between the eyes or the neck. There is a horse at my barn who likes to have his lips scratched...again, one finger, very gently. (At least I think he likes it because he's free to move his head away, or his entire body.) Of course, after a trail ride, all bets are off: I put the knuckles of both fists on my horse's face so he can have a good scratch without knocking me over. Usually, I need to lean my body weight into it to not get pushed backwards... :)
Thanks, nice to hear. He is indeed an amazing guy, well behaved and very into human/horse relation. He is not a real 'friend' for other males. (Actually an asshole) But towards me and other people he is amazingly polite and kind. Thats the the pure Andalusian, or as we say the Pura Raza Espanola.
Your stallion is absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!!!! Beautiful Boy!! I'm embarrassed to say that I've been around horses for over 25 years and had never heard about the chest being a sexual point for them. Does that hold true if it's a mare or gelding also?
Vicki Boling Some geldings also respond on this. But far less strong then stallions. Unfortunately I know several stallions who got so frustrated and junped on people. I think it is easy to prevent when you have the knowledge and insight.
Thanks for the info! I've got a VERY "stud-ish" gelding. He "herds" my 2 mares, and has tried mounting both. When I bought him, he was already gelded, so I'm not sure how old he was when he was gelded. I've also noticed he's very "mouthy". He will stand and just lick my arms and legs for an hour if I let him. It doesn't seem to be anything sexual or dominate. I thought it was maybe for salt, but he does it with long sleeves/pants too. I honestly don't have problems with him because he does realize that I'm the boss when I'm around, but I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I LOVE learning new things that can improve my horses lives. :) Thank you so much again!! :)
Interesting comment Vicky. In the wild (where I observed wild horses and talked to people who doe that professional) I noticed how respectful the males are towards the mares. Yes they ask the mare if she wants to mate and when she says no they are such amazing gentleman. I strongly believe that in our human.horse relationship they behave exactly like that on females. Imho it is not about boss but for sure about friendship and relationship. This horse on the movie is also a gentleman to me and also to other woman. People say licking is about salt, I don't think so. Persoanlly I do not allow anyone to lick me, no Dogs, no Horses, no …. because I think it is 'disturbed' behavior. Mare licks her foal when he/she is born and stallions lick the mare to seduce her. Never saw (in the wild) one horse lick another one, in domesticated situations I see it a lot, horse-human. Also mares do it but less. So thats why I say it is not healthy behavior and does really contribute to the mature relationships horses in their now world have. Baby horses suckle and mature not. Beside of that I do not like it at all. No matter what, it is meant nice. Glad that you love for horse so much, always good to know that there are many good people out there. :-) Thanks for your respond.
Thank you for your insightful answer. :) I'm always interested in watching how my horses behave among themselves and how they behave when I step into their pasture. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to observe true wild horse behavior as it seems so vastly different (in some ways) compared to our domestic horses. I really appreciate you sharing your observations and insight with me. Thank you SO very much! :)
Since a teenage mare that gets pregnant after a long hiatus can swing very stallion-like her first trimester, calling out, stud nickering, and trying to mount other mares, I would assume that the chest can be erogenous for them during their surging hormones, too. My favorite mare would DRAG me over the the other mare pasture to smell and squeal and flirt -- until she finally got into her 2nd semester and was normal again. This is a mare with silent heats, unless her late gelded (age 2 after his halter career was over) boyfriend Dar El Bask would start nibbling her withers for several minutes. If he went up "half mast" (45 degrees, not bad for a gelding) while grooming withers with her, I had exactly 2 days to ovulation, and would instantly call my stallion owner to collect and ship. My vet would confirm this via U/S. Dar El was accurate every time.
I love how when you ride a horse you become one. They seem to know exactly what you want them to do. But I think I am just a horse person because not everyone has this experience.
I feel like if you have a horse that is grumpy enough, a lot of this will be learned very quickly. My horse is such a mare. I can pet her forehead, and she will give "kisses" with her nose, but grabbing it would cause her to throw a fit. However, I never knew that about a stallion. I usually like mares better than stallions or geldings, so I guess I've never encountered that.
I was just explaining some of this stuff to my grandson as he was going for the face. I was also reminded of a video where the parents had set up the baby carrier right underneath the horse who was using his lips to explore what he couldn't see. When I commented on the danger and offered the explanation I got called names. Apparently the horse "loved" the kid and would "never" do anything to it. I think anthropomorphism also needs to be discussed. Good vid, my friend, yet who gets more views??? We BOTH know the answer!! LOL
wow, terrific information, i have always wanted to ride a horse, now i know not to show them too much affection or at the wrong places. you just saved me a stomp or bite and looking foolish. thank you very much.
This is a brilliant analysis of horse behavior and extremely important for people who adopt wild horses. Those reactions are even deeper in a horses that was raised as a stallion on the range. Colts start attempting to breed mares as young as ten months old.
I happened upon this video just by chance and all I can say is, wow. Having spent a lot of years around horse and ponies when I was growing up, both riding and showing, I have still never heard the wonderful information that I learned in this video. Thanks so much for putting this info out there. It certainly is important for every horse owner to know.
You can "hug" your horse as long as you don't make him feel claustrophobic: stand in front of him and put both hands on either side of the neck near the crest, and give him a massage or a scratch. Quite often I get "groomed" by the horse in return. As long as his movement isn't restricted by this, he should be quite comfortable with it.
to be honest, at first I was a little sceptical about this video, but it turned out to be VERY informative! I'll also be honest again and say I scratch my gelding between the front legs and he stretches his neck and drops his....and it never crossed my mind that it could be an erotic area!! just thought he was relaxed and it felt good cuz it's a hard place for them to scratch. well now I know! You have to learn something new everyday, otherwise your not trying hard enough. 😊 so thank you for the knowledge!!
👍Excellent info & education. We tell people don't touch the horse a certain way or don't touch at all but don't usually say "why" because they might not understand or agree. Thanks for giving the "why" associated with the don't touch & don't areas for folks.
Thank you. Very informative. Especially the part about the chest area. Makes complete sense. Someone told me once that petting in the hollow of the neck area emulates what a mare does with her foal and that is a good place to pet a horse. On the neck in that "hollowed out" area. You might have that, too. Not sure, had trouble hearing everything. Good video. The learning never stops.
I had no idea about these things with horses, especially a gelding. I didn't think they would have any reaction. Thank you for that informative video. Very good tips especially for novices.
I always approach my mare and offer wither, neck, and nose scratches to see where she is itchy that day. She really likes it and will start pursing her upper lip and such, and my intention is to show her that I am happy to see her in a way that another horse might, I think she gets it but I am no mind reader. I just moved her out to where I work 5x a week, she gets loads more pasture and space, and when she hears me she will look up and around for me and when she sees me I often get a neigh. I do give her hugs round the neck, but that is always coupled with scratches! She also likes to put her head in my chest, and I wrap my arms around her face, especially if we are tired and at a show all day. She is a super laid back, calm, and quietly affectionate horse, but does have her preferences. When she lets me know through a glance or something that she isn't too terribly fond of what I'm doing, I either offer affection and reassure her she is a good girl for tolerating it (if it is something unavoidable) or respect her and cease (if it's something like a type of pet or scratch or something that I do not *have* to do). We have one horse who doesn't mind if you go out and sit with him while he is napping, I can lean up against his side and look at the stars while he rests. She, on the other hand, prefers not to be bothered when laying down (understandably), and that is fine. I think too often we expect complete compliance and for our horses to be totally cool with whatever we do to them, but I find horses are a lot more calm and tolerant if they feel like they will at least be listened to if they tell you they are uncomfortable.
So glad I took a break and watched this. I never thought to pet a horse in the chest area, male or female. I bet I have done it though. Very informative and thankful the horse was helpful!
Really it depends on the horse. Some places are a definite no go and some places have a definite meaning but some horses don't mind and actually seek out pettings and kisses and don't mind hugs. Just be careful when you do and keep it short because if they spook it can lead to some trouble. Just make sure you know the horse and know where they will tolerate being petted and where they prefer to be pet the most. I have some that prefer neck scratches and others that don't care so long as you give them a treat!
That was good advice re: avoiding areas that would normally be stimulated during mating. It's the same with most animals, cats and dogs as well. An un-neutered tom cat dislikes you touching him anywhere but the head. If you work with animals, it pays to remember they are sexual beings too and learn where not to touch and HOW to touch when you do. Good Job.
That was interesting, I'm not into horses but sometimes come in contact, I'm quite cautious around them (when i was 12 in tunisia a horse took me the wrong way down a busy road) and I know how powerful and even unpredictable they can be. Nice english spoken too.
I petted a horse on the snout above the nose and mouth and it didn't seem to mind. I didn't know the horse at all. I saw some horses grazing while driving, pulled over and whistled at them. One horse looked at me and every few minutes whistled again. Each time it came closer to me. When it got within 15 from me it stopped. I whistled again and held out my open hand (to show it I had no food). It walked over to me and i petted it. Was a great experience.
ian o'loughlin The horse I petted must have been a female. But if I do that again, I'll pet the neck. The horse didn't mind me petting it, because it hung around after I touched and was eating grass right by me. Too me I got the impression the horse was very used to people. I didn't climb into the paddock. I stayed outside of it by the fence.
Above the nose is ok but on the nose is not okay. Many people like to stroke them right on the muzzle because it is very soft, especially children who can't reach all the way up to the horse's face.
interstategar probably because your touch was gentle but firm, and you didn't make grabbing motions :) the horse probably thought "hey, he's being nice to my nose!" Also some horses are more sociable than others
Because people will always have ignorant cousins and neighbors that run back to the barn and meet your horses before you can get to them, I go out of my way to desensitize my foals to being smooched loudly on the nose, and even dog patted on the forehead. I also pull on their ears, and completely cover their heads in a "hug." My horses will therefore not freak out and smack someone in the head with their head when this happens -- they will just get annoyed and back off if it is not gentle. Also train them to be able to tolerate an over the head blanket -- my vet had to get her jaw wired when her 2 yr old pinto filly freaked as she lowered the over the head blanket. Start with a towel and work up to a blanket. Over the head blankets are far less likely to twist if some idiot stalls the horse with a blanket on, and therefore they won't die from being cast in their stall, slip sliding around on the twisted blanket.
Wonderful video! Warmest of thanks for sharing your wisdom. I've just started working with horses and I have much to learn about how they communicate and how I can respect them and be respected as well.
Thank you for this video, you mentioned quite a few things i did not know before. Why haven't I watched a video like this before!? It was very informative and useful. Also your stallion is absolutely beautiful!
thank you for this. it be wonderful to see how you train horses and your techniques on many things. i wish i had horses but i get comfort watching you and your beautiful horse. thank you!
you are so right. i learned this the hard way. i got a proud cut arabian, who started out as a sweet horse. i was nursing it back to health. he wasnt abused physically, but neglected and kept with stalllions and then was hurt by him. anyway, i hugged, kissed and touched him a lot and all over. when he got better, after a year, he grew mean. he did not see me as the lader. not at all. instead of loving me for being good to him and helping him get better, he decided to try and kick and stomp at me whenever he got a chance. i gave him up at that point. i learned a lot AFTER the fact. i was too lovey dovey to him. i messed him up. i am not a horse person, number one he gave me a fear of horses now, and i am a lovey dovey person to my other animals. i am always holing, kissing loving my dogs and cats. i did not know that you could not do that with horses. both the horse sand ended up being damaged by my doing that.
Really interesting..I think it is so important to know how to touch animals how they want and not you as a human. Same goes for my cat, I recently reflected that maybe she prefers to be stroked not how I like it but how she likes it. Thanks for this.
Interesting. Never had a problem with any of my stallions. They were taught from the beginning that I was allowed to touch them any place I needed to. This is important for grooming, training, vetting, shoeing, and many other reasons.
Thank you for this very informative video. There are similar rules for petting parrots so it is fascinating to learn that there are links between two otherwise very different animals. If it helps, in English the bump at the top of the horse's shoulder and the base of his neck is called the "withers", although I have no idea why, and we usually use the term "hindquarters" rather than "ass".
+forensicgirl Ah thank you, you are the first who recognizes the stimulation of sexual feelings on other species. Very interesting what you write about parrots. I have heard of that.. For many it might be strange that sexual stimulation happens at the front and not where humans would think it should be. And yes it helps, your correction is very welcome and very helpful. Thanks. (Why are donkeys called asses?)
(SUPER late response but) The term "ass" came long before it became an insult then evolved to more specifically refer to someone's rear end. In culture an ass (donkey) was looked down on as a somewhat pathetic and stupid creature, so being called an ass was an insult. It meant you were smelly, stupid, and gross (like a donkey. Not true but that's what the idea was of donkeys same as how people who are dirty might be called pigs) eventually it evolved into a term used to refer to someones rear end I'd assume because it smells haha. People stopped calling donkeys asses and it became exclusively its own term. Though, we do still have an animal we call an ass, but they're wild and feral, not anything we use in domesticated purposes.
@About Horses...Love your video's and appreciate them greatly. I am 58, and have owned several horses in my lifetime. I was surprised to learn something new with your video, but it makes perfect sense! You are the only one to have talked about this, and thank you! The chest area is also a stimulation area for an unneutered dog...which I'm sure many people get a surprise reaction, but possibly do not make the connection. I didn't know about parrots that have 'no go zones", but I have not had a lot of birds. Again, thank you for your informative video's!
Thank you for you rime, a great answer. Actually my question was funny meant because I was corrected, not to say ass but hindquarters. Yet, the term ass is how people look at things, not how things are.
About horses I am far too old to ride any more, but learned age 11 but I wish I'd known about you back then. I would have paid good money for tutorials with you. You are doing a great service to the horse and people who come into contact with them, thank you x
Great.Thank you.I love and respect horses.Indeed they are very sensitive to how we touch them.Very important the energy of touch and movement. The thought and control of emotions essential as well.You cannot cheat the horses.Impossible.They are connected.
I'm happy to know knot to touch their noses. That makes sense now. Oh! and I was laughing at the response when you rubbed on his front, wow! ha ha! Very interesting!
Thank you for this video. I taught some of these tips when I was taking classes but not all of them. I was taught to run my hand across the top part of the body when walking around the back side of their body when switching side to groom them because of the trust between us and them.
I never had a stallion. We only had castrated male horses and they did not react to the touch on the chest. Ha. What you described are things I instinctively already respected when handling horses. I never consciously knew about them. Good video.
This was really enlightening! I never knew any of this. I am in a chair, and I love to go and sit and watch my sister, who is a farrier, work. I can't reach the back or the shoulders of a horse. Is there another safe place to touch for someone like me who is low to the ground? I usually read or sit near the pasture, and the horses my sister is not working on sometimes come to see who I am because they are curious.
Thank you for your candor. This was very interesting. Horses are magnificent animals. I would have loved to grow up on a farm with a variety of animals. I used to ride when I was young but only on rare occasions. Thank you again for the information.
Wow! Thanks for this video. It is very helpful to know these things. What a beautiful grey boy you have there. I had a horse as a kid, never was taught about the things you taught in this video. Thanks.
I have studied animal behaviour in the past and yep, that part is the same for donkey's and other animals that "Climb" on the other animal. The females... have it between the hips. Specially when they are in season. Noses are secret, one should not directly go and grab the face of any animal cause that is a very very indecent thing to do. If you think about it it is not that strange too, cause would you like it being grabbed and touched in your face straight on without being introduced? I think you vids are very interesting. Do you also do them in dutch? Cause I bet there would be also a lot of dutch viewers that can use this info. Specially young people, for they are enthusiastic but in their enthusiasm forget proper etiquette that one would need to address or dealing with an animal in general. Again... good video, very usefull information. :)
Thank you for your nice comment and positive words. Actually I am not sure if the information would be accepted. We have a 'female' culture here, meaning that many woman and young girls ride horses. Even being a woman myself, many woman have their 'own way of how to treat a horse'. I like your expression of proper etiquette, very true. Horses and many more social animals have them
Your horses are always beautiful. Happy and relaxed. Well, the erogenous zone between the legs was definitely new to me. He certainly cooperated to demonstrate that though. I'm a believer now. Respectfully, I don't completely agree with the scratching thing, or the nose. Some of my horses will seek out those scratches and ask for them and then follow me around for more when I stop. I think it mimics grooming behavior with other horses. Although my gelding that I ride and have the best relationship with is much more like you describe. Not into the scratches, but a calm, firm hand at his shoulder, neck or withers is appreciated. I don't know that it's exactly like hitting their knee to induce that nose in the air, lipping though. That interaction might be a bit more nuanced than just a reflex that horses tolerate until they are irritated by it. I had one highly strung mare that would become calmer if I placed a hand over one nostril. She would seek it out when she was frightened, and put one nostril in my hand and take a big whiff, and it would calm her. She was, admittedly kind of a strange duck though. I have another mare now where her rump is a no go area. You're right, most horses like it, but not her. She won't kick, but she will tense up, step away and sometimes swish her tail. She came from a rough beginning though and I'm not entirely sure what was done, and she's always been odd. She's never been mean about it, and she will tolerate being touched there if I really require it, it's just not a great spot for her. All horses are different I guess.I have one who is a licker and I agree it is a disordered behavior. I hate it. I don't allow it with me, but lots of people think it's cute and a sign of affection, so it's hard to break him of the habit. It's almost like a baby with a pacifier with him sometimes.
I just hold out a hand with the palm down and let them smell if they want and if they're still interested I just stand relaxed, leaned over a fence and let them smell my face. If I want to pet, I'll brush, I think by brushing, it feels much nicer and brushes shed out.
I have rubbed the chest of my gelding and it seemed to relax and put him almost to sleep. I've done this esp when he seems nervous when he's getting his hooves trimmed. To me it was/is a heart connection or feel - although maybe I was stroking a bit higher on chest instead of between the front legs. Not saying this video isn't correct, it's just that I haven't seen that sort of response in him. However, when he gets grain he does respond that way - lol! I also agree about the nose, but sometimes he (and other horses I've been around) SEEK out touch with the nose, so I very gently will touch them there, but I don't grab on them there or anything. Also with regard to being "strong" and having "strong presence", I think there is way too much emphasis on this with regard to horses, to the extent that people are sort of putting on a façade which distorts their true energy (which horses can pick up on). What I've found is that if I try too hard to be "strong" with horses (as so many instructors will emphasize), the horse have reacted in a more guarded or stressed out way toward me because I'm not simply allowing things to flow naturally and actually be my sensitive self. I think there is a sort of distortion as to what "strong" really means in our society. I think just being your true self, even if you are more sensitive and soft, is actual strength because it's truth and horses (all animals really) can pick up on that. When I actually am at peace and more my real self, that is when the horses respond well to me.
Thanks for your story. I get a picture of it, and I have o say that it sure sometimes works very good to relax. This horse is a stallion, so they are more into reflexes. You sound like a very dedicated person, and that makes me so happy to read. Being strong imo is being there, not being hard or rough but being there in he moment and be a guide for the horse in our world. They will respond on your real feelings, not on a facade many teachers want. when you are sensitive it is great, they recognize that. Strong is to be yourself, and that is very hard in human society. Stay you, sounds to me you are a great horse person with empathy. Thats what will help many horses and other species.
So my old pony used to hate showering and always stepped around and was nervous around the shower area. I always put put my hand against his neck and held it there for a while when he did it and he more often that not he stopped dancing around and seemed to calm down. Do you think that might have been the cause? That the action gave him a little extra strength and a sign that he was ok, like a "comforting hand on the shoulder"? I've been thinking about it for years that maybe it did help cause he always seemed to calm down by that action. Anyways, this video was very helpful so thank you! :)
Very interesting that you found a place to calm your Horse. I think your idea about 'comforting hand on the shoulder' makes good sense. Perhaps this zone is also helpful in stressful situations, never thought about that. So it is very worth while information. Glad to read that there are people like you who want to Gove horses a life without stress and find manners to help them in our human world, just by being humane. I like this Thanks for the comment :-)
If I have nervous foals during hoof trims I let them "hug" my shoulder with their neck and lean their head over my back. The pressure really calms them down, like they are back in the safe womb. I don't even have to fight or yank on them at all once they feel snug. I change position for the other front leg to be trimmed. I also trim youngsters in my slant trailer, so they have something (rubber wall or partition) to balance up against.
babypanda I think this zone is like a "friendzone"...bcause horses go there to grab with there teeth and thats why this is a comfortable zone,where most horses calm down and put their head down
That definitely is a thing. I always get the feeling that it "grounds" them a bit and reminds them, that they are not alone and that you don't want another reaction from them. It also helps my horse to distinguish the times he should move away and make room for me, from the times that I need him to stay still and let me touch him. I also found that firmly brushing or scratching the withers is quite enjoyable for most horses, they groom each other there as a form of socializing.
even i do get a set up going and get back into horses. no stallions for me i don't care how advanced I get not even if you pay me a quadrillion dollars hell to the no.
Our neighbor has a mare we rather enjoy petting and feeding carrots, cabbage, and occasionally corn stalks to. We have permission, of course, but I was rather curious if the chest petting reaction is the same? Mostly we rub around her shoulders, mane, and the top of her muzzle.
i did not know about the petting the chest part. very interesting and very helpful as I own a 7 month old thoroughbred colt, so now I know which arts is a big NO-NO. Thanks!
it's a very informative video. I actually have a horse who likes to be pet gently on his nose (especially on the side of it), it's almost the only way he can relax. But he's a special horse he got abused before he came to us maybe this is a spot where they did not hit him :(
"When you are afraid, you should not touch an animal.": great advice!
Why have I not seen a video address these things? They sound extremely important. I learned a lot as a new horse owner today. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing it with us.
Have to admit that I hesitated on this subject because it still is a big taboo.
So what! keep teaching us what no one else did about horses unless we pay thousands of dollars. I have read books about horses and most of your "No beating around the bush" and necessary information was not there Thank you, I love your accent. I have one also.
Circle them -- slowly and smoothly pull their head to your hip. you want to practice this on the ground, and I highly recommend a horse (often also human) chiropractor visit first. Chiro can instruct you on stretches on ground and from the saddle. Don't ever yank their head to your hip or you two could tumble like i an old western movie. For the bigger picture of the horse running off with you, have them on 24/7 turnout with run-in, and lower their protein percentage.
About horses. Not to the uninitiated. Although I've spent over 50 years with horses, I am STILL learning. Thank you.
So am I, word's of wisdom Carol. Thank you
Hello Nicole, I am very blessed to be the caregiver of a wild mustang stallion who was found alone and starving on the range due to the fact that he is so old that he has worn his teeth down to nubs. He is estimated to be 25+ years old. While many people said I would never be able to "gentle" him (touch him, halter him, etc.) due to his age and how wild he was at capture, he has proven to be a very affectionate horse who bonds deeply with the few people he knows and trusts, particularly me. I would say he is still quite wild in that he reacts quickly and "big" if something is unusual or startling, and as he was a herd stallion for many, many years, he has a real sense of himself, how life is supposed to be, and what his position is in the world. That said, he is without a mean bone in his body and has never tried to hurt me in any way, though he tells me quite clearly when I have done something that displeases him. I often feel that I am dealing with a "king", who graciously deigns to interact with me! I have tried extremely hard to work with him in a way that allows him to choose what he is okay with, and when he is okay with it. Thus, we have developed a way of being together that feels deeply respectful and pleasing on both sides, I would say. What I wanted to ask you about is the fact that he really, really likes it when I use my hands to gently "nibble" at the corners of his mouth, and to cup and rub his chin. He gets very calm and soft-eyed, and these things seem to comfort him. Often, I will do this for a bit, then stop and step slightly away, and he will step closer to me again and touch me softly with his lips to "ask" for more. He will also sometimes very gently nibble my hand or even sometimes hold the edge of my hand between his lips, all with a very soft, quiet expression. He also enjoys having the sides of his face stroked and his forehead rubbed. Doesn't really seem to like being stroked anywhere else very much, though I can touch him all over if he is in a quiet mood. Anyway, sorry about going on here, but I would be very interested to hear your take on his apparent touch preferences. He is fascinating to me -- such a "pure" horse, and so expressive! Thank you!
You are very wise about horses. I have grown up around horses and I just learned a few new things from you. Your English is very good. Don't be self conscious. The words you are using are correct. Thank you sooo very much for this educational video. This is the first I have seen but I will now be a faithful watcher and fan.
Thank you for your kind words.
most beautiful creatures on this earth
+DinosaursNeverExisted
And dolphins too! :)
yeah
Yeah. I guess the horse is okay, too.
I have thought that since I can remember being able to think.
Hmm. I never knew about the erogenous zone between their front legs but it does make sense when you mentioned why. Thanks for that tip.
So informative and useful. Thank you for sharing.
Umbreona : I've been around horses on and off for years but didn't know about this. Yes, I echo Umbreona: thank you for the extra knowledge. :-)
Good job explaining some of the reasons horses react to being touched in different places. I find light touches will also cause them to shake their skin thinking flies have landed. I find it is better to be firm with contact and to rub, not pat, horses. Patting mimics other horses picking at each other so don't pick at your horse rub them. Rubbing mimics mutual grooming and they enjoy that.
Great video!
6:40 and then he looks up like "Whoa! Is this girl hittin' on me!?!?"
1965, we were working on a horse ranch. Race horses. It was the weekend and I was ready to go out to the tavern but hubby was still at the barns. I went looking for him and found him in the stud barn still feeding, watering. I started walking down the breeze way and opposite the box of The Haug when he started shaking his head, stomping and squealing. Jim stepped out of the stall he was in and came down to see what was upsetting the big stud. He noticed my perfume and told me to get out of the barn on the run. Must have been good perfume, but never wore it around horses ever again.
In some perfume they use pheromones, not much but a little. Some studs react on that. Man also, but they behave more.... well you know, less honest
I have the same experience, when I use perfume they want to smell it, pretty distracting so I do not wear perfume when I work with the horses.
I am SO glad that you explained this - my friends called me all kinds of names (from paranoid to plain 'moron'!) when I told them that a stallion could misinterpret things! Some male dogs (non-castrated) sniff around the crotch area of women who menstruate, for example! Strange how many people just say that this behaviour isn't sexually related!
Everything a dog (canine or human) does is sexual. My neighbor's large purse sized Pekingese dog instantly fell in love and bred my mother's large chamois purse (it was on the ground next to her lawn chair). The coin purse puppies were adorable :).
wupperelfe yes, i hate it when dogs do that.. XD
Stallions do exactly the same. Sometimes I warn visitors when one of our stallions starts to sniff there. But it looks as if many woman just ignore their feelings.
I find it very embracing but thats what males do.
We're all mammals after all..
Karina Peters You can train dogs not to do that. Really you can. Not sure about horses.
Twenty years working with horses and I never knew that either! Thank you. I've never been around stallions though because I knew I did not know enough. Thank you for such useful information.
That part low on the chest is very soft and feels nice that's why people touch it, not realising it is a sexual place on a stallion/gelding. Same with the muzzle, it's very soft. Very helpful video, thank you.
About petting their front....I did not know that!
Thanks for this useful information.
Glad our stallion cooperated so well ;-)
Yes this is the same for dogs. I used to work with dogs and petting the male dogs on the chest as a reward is very stimulating. Many people do it, but with dogs there's no fear of being jumped and injured.
a non neutered male will rarely let you do that move
Why not?
This is an entire (non neutered male) and we had stallions for about 15 years. Never had any aggression towards any human.
Perhaps it helps when you are polite to a horse, for me that worked best.
what about with females?
What a beautiful and well behaved boy! He is so calm and trusting. And what a great talk. Too many people lack this simple knowlege of horses and their body language. It is such a shame to see a horse suffer for a humans stupidity as so often they are the ones punished not the human.
All these years I spent with horses and some of this I never knew. All horse people should see this. Dank je.
I have ridden and trained many horses as a young teen and young adult. Many of which had a very strong bond with me. Yes the mouth and nose is ver sensitive but also an erogenous/ emotional space. However, once a strong bond is achieved, I would find my horses allowing me to pet, nibble and even kiss their snouts and noses. I had one gelding nibbling on my ears and I enjoyed him breathing on me in moments of complete relaxation after a working session when I rewarded him with a solarium (infrared lamps). He loved it. Horses are insanely smart and have emotional intelligence.
Very helpful...I never knew about the errogenous zone between their front legs but it certainly makes sense. Also, your video has given me an even deeper appreciation for how I show respect and reverence for the horse when touching it. Thank you.
The zone between their legs makes sense now. I have a german warmblood, white male. I'm a woman myself and always cuddle with him. Of course I also pet him between his front legs and I noticed that he was indeed responding, but at the time I didn't know why he did that because he wasn't peeing.
My really strong big mare is a kind of sassy horse. I always wish to pet her too but before I got her (I rescued her) she was beaten and many other stuff. Now everytime I want to scratch her bum or her neck she gets so angry at me and it makes me sad because I want her to enjoy human contact, she means so much to me. Though when I ride her she's always having a fun time so that's good.
Thanks for making this vid, very helpful!
Very good video. From my trainer I also learned that petting the horse's withers is the best area to calm it down since that's where horses always start when they're grooming each other. Also, you can teach your horse to sink its neck when you pet there, which also calms the horse down since it's you practically telling the horse that it's "safe enough to graze here" so if your horse trusts you, this is the easiest way I learned to tell it that there's nothing to be afraid of. Both when riding or on the ground.
I wish all the instructors were as wise as you...I'm learning more with your videos than in my two riding schools.
I've been horse riding a handful of times and I've never pet them around the face when the instructor tells me it's ok. I've only ever rubbed the neck or shoulder. For any animal, I've always felt the head/nose is too vulnerable to touch unless I know them well.
Nove to read that you listened to your feelings, I think we are the same in this.
Who like to be meted on the nose?
I usually offer my hand for sniffing and gently touch his nose with the back of my index finger...once. Then I pet him (lightly) between the eyes or the neck. There is a horse at my barn who likes to have his lips scratched...again, one finger, very gently. (At least I think he likes it because he's free to move his head away, or his entire body.)
Of course, after a trail ride, all bets are off: I put the knuckles of both fists on my horse's face so he can have a good scratch without knocking me over. Usually, I need to lean my body weight into it to not get pushed backwards... :)
I like your story, just love it when people find out what our equine friends prefer. Thanks for sharing this here
Wow! What a quick reaction! I have to say I had no idea about the bit between the front legs.
He sure cooperated and made this video worth while.
PT He did! He was very well behaved and cooperative, He is a lovely horse! :-)
Thanks, nice to hear. He is indeed an amazing guy, well behaved and very into human/horse relation. He is not a real 'friend' for other males. (Actually an asshole)
But towards me and other people he is amazingly polite and kind. Thats the the pure Andalusian, or as we say the Pura Raza Espanola.
He's really beautiful!
Your stallion is absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!!!! Beautiful Boy!!
I'm embarrassed to say that I've been around horses for over 25 years and had never heard about the chest being a sexual point for them.
Does that hold true if it's a mare or gelding also?
Vicki Boling Some geldings also respond on this. But far less strong then stallions. Unfortunately I know several stallions who got so frustrated and junped on people. I think it is easy to prevent when you have the knowledge and insight.
Thanks for the info!
I've got a VERY "stud-ish" gelding. He "herds" my 2 mares, and has tried mounting both. When I bought him, he was already gelded, so I'm not sure how old he was when he was gelded. I've also noticed he's very "mouthy". He will stand and just lick my arms and legs for an hour if I let him. It doesn't seem to be anything sexual or dominate. I thought it was maybe for salt, but he does it with long sleeves/pants too.
I honestly don't have problems with him because he does realize that I'm the boss when I'm around, but I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I LOVE learning new things that can improve my horses lives. :)
Thank you so much again!! :)
Interesting comment Vicky.
In the wild (where I observed wild horses and talked to people who doe that professional) I noticed how respectful the males are towards the mares.
Yes they ask the mare if she wants to mate and when she says no they are such amazing gentleman. I strongly believe that in our human.horse relationship they behave exactly like that on females. Imho it is not about boss but for sure about friendship and relationship.
This horse on the movie is also a gentleman to me and also to other woman.
People say licking is about salt, I don't think so. Persoanlly I do not allow anyone to lick me, no Dogs, no Horses, no …. because I think it is 'disturbed' behavior. Mare licks her foal when he/she is born and stallions lick the mare to seduce her. Never saw (in the wild) one horse lick another one, in domesticated situations I see it a lot, horse-human. Also mares do it but less. So thats why I say it is not healthy behavior and does really contribute to the mature relationships horses in their now world have. Baby horses suckle and mature not. Beside of that I do not like it at all.
No matter what, it is meant nice.
Glad that you love for horse so much, always good to know that there are many good people out there. :-) Thanks for your respond.
Thank you for your insightful answer. :)
I'm always interested in watching how my horses behave among themselves and how they behave when I step into their pasture. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to observe true wild horse behavior as it seems so vastly different (in some ways) compared to our domestic horses.
I really appreciate you sharing your observations and insight with me. Thank you SO very much! :)
Since a teenage mare that gets pregnant after a long hiatus can swing very stallion-like her first trimester, calling out, stud nickering, and trying to mount other mares, I would assume that the chest can be erogenous for them during their surging hormones, too. My favorite mare would DRAG me over the the other mare pasture to smell and squeal and flirt -- until she finally got into her 2nd semester and was normal again. This is a mare with silent heats, unless her late gelded (age 2 after his halter career was over) boyfriend Dar El Bask would start nibbling her withers for several minutes. If he went up "half mast" (45 degrees, not bad for a gelding) while grooming withers with her, I had exactly 2 days to ovulation, and would instantly call my stallion owner to collect and ship. My vet would confirm this via U/S. Dar El was accurate every time.
I love how when you ride a horse you become one. They seem to know exactly what you want them to do. But I think I am just a horse person because not everyone has this experience.
I am from Texas, been around horses a bit, learned a few things here, thanks!!
I feel like if you have a horse that is grumpy enough, a lot of this will be learned very quickly. My horse is such a mare. I can pet her forehead, and she will give "kisses" with her nose, but grabbing it would cause her to throw a fit. However, I never knew that about a stallion. I usually like mares better than stallions or geldings, so I guess I've never encountered that.
I was just explaining some of this stuff to my grandson as he was going for the face. I was also reminded of a video where the parents had set up the baby carrier right underneath the horse who was using his lips to explore what he couldn't see. When I commented on the danger and offered the explanation I got called names. Apparently the horse "loved" the kid and would "never" do anything to it. I think anthropomorphism also needs to be discussed. Good vid, my friend, yet who gets more views??? We BOTH know the answer!! LOL
wow, terrific information, i have always wanted to ride a horse, now i know not to show them too much affection or at the wrong places.
you just saved me a stomp or bite and looking foolish. thank you very much.
This is a brilliant analysis of horse behavior and extremely important for people who adopt wild horses. Those reactions are even deeper in a horses that was raised as a stallion on the range. Colts start attempting to breed mares as young as ten months old.
I happened upon this video just by chance and all I can say is, wow. Having spent a lot of years around horse and ponies when I was growing up, both riding and showing, I have still never heard the wonderful information that I learned in this video. Thanks so much for putting this info out there. It certainly is important for every horse owner to know.
He is a very well behaved stallion. You're really great with him.
You can "hug" your horse as long as you don't make him feel claustrophobic: stand in front of him and put both hands on either side of the neck near the crest, and give him a massage or a scratch. Quite often I get "groomed" by the horse in return. As long as his movement isn't restricted by this, he should be quite comfortable with it.
Love her respect for the animal.
to be honest, at first I was a little sceptical about this video, but it turned out to be VERY informative! I'll also be honest again and say I scratch my gelding between the front legs and he stretches his neck and drops his....and it never crossed my mind that it could be an erotic area!! just thought he was relaxed and it felt good cuz it's a hard place for them to scratch. well now I know! You have to learn something new everyday, otherwise your not trying hard enough. 😊 so thank you for the knowledge!!
👍Excellent info & education. We tell people don't touch the horse a certain way or don't touch at all but don't usually say "why" because they might not understand or agree. Thanks for giving the "why" associated with the don't touch & don't areas for folks.
Thank you. Very informative. Especially the part about the chest area. Makes complete sense.
Someone told me once that petting in the hollow of the neck area emulates what a mare does with her foal and that is a good place to pet a horse. On the neck in that "hollowed out" area. You might have that, too. Not sure, had trouble hearing everything. Good video. The learning never stops.
I had no idea about these things with horses, especially a gelding. I didn't think they would have any reaction. Thank you for that informative video. Very good tips especially for novices.
I always approach my mare and offer wither, neck, and nose scratches to see where she is itchy that day. She really likes it and will start pursing her upper lip and such, and my intention is to show her that I am happy to see her in a way that another horse might, I think she gets it but I am no mind reader. I just moved her out to where I work 5x a week, she gets loads more pasture and space, and when she hears me she will look up and around for me and when she sees me I often get a neigh. I do give her hugs round the neck, but that is always coupled with scratches! She also likes to put her head in my chest, and I wrap my arms around her face, especially if we are tired and at a show all day. She is a super laid back, calm, and quietly affectionate horse, but does have her preferences.
When she lets me know through a glance or something that she isn't too terribly fond of what I'm doing, I either offer affection and reassure her she is a good girl for tolerating it (if it is something unavoidable) or respect her and cease (if it's something like a type of pet or scratch or something that I do not *have* to do). We have one horse who doesn't mind if you go out and sit with him while he is napping, I can lean up against his side and look at the stars while he rests. She, on the other hand, prefers not to be bothered when laying down (understandably), and that is fine. I think too often we expect complete compliance and for our horses to be totally cool with whatever we do to them, but I find horses are a lot more calm and tolerant if they feel like they will at least be listened to if they tell you they are uncomfortable.
So glad I took a break and watched this. I never thought to pet a horse in the chest area, male or female. I bet I have done it though. Very informative and thankful the horse was helpful!
I did not know these things and we owned horses when I was younger. Thank you for this information. It makes sense.
Horse:"You tryin to smash"😂👌
Really it depends on the horse. Some places are a definite no go and some places have a definite meaning but some horses don't mind and actually seek out pettings and kisses and don't mind hugs. Just be careful when you do and keep it short because if they spook it can lead to some trouble. Just make sure you know the horse and know where they will tolerate being petted and where they prefer to be pet the most. I have some that prefer neck scratches and others that don't care so long as you give them a treat!
Thank you. For the information, I think most people who aren't around horses alot should know these things for humans safety and horses respect.
That was good advice re: avoiding areas that would normally be stimulated during mating. It's the same with most animals, cats and dogs as well. An un-neutered tom cat dislikes you touching him anywhere but the head. If you work with animals, it pays to remember they are sexual beings too and learn where not to touch and HOW to touch when you do. Good Job.
That was interesting, I'm not into horses but sometimes come in contact, I'm quite cautious around them (when i was 12 in tunisia a horse took me the wrong way down a busy road) and I know how powerful and even unpredictable they can be.
Nice english spoken too.
I petted a horse on the snout above the nose and mouth and it didn't seem to mind. I didn't know the horse at all. I saw some horses grazing while driving, pulled over and whistled at them. One horse looked at me and every few minutes whistled again. Each time it came closer to me. When it got within 15 from me it stopped. I whistled again and held out my open hand (to show it I had no food). It walked over to me and i petted it. Was a great experience.
ian o'loughlin The horse I petted must have been a female. But if I do that again, I'll pet the neck. The horse didn't mind me petting it, because it hung around after I touched and was eating grass right by me. Too me I got the impression the horse was very used to people. I didn't climb into the paddock. I stayed outside of it by the fence.
Above the nose is ok but on the nose is not okay. Many people like to stroke them right on the muzzle because it is very soft, especially children who can't reach all the way up to the horse's face.
interstategar probably because your touch was gentle but firm, and you didn't make grabbing motions :) the horse probably thought "hey, he's being nice to my nose!" Also some horses are more sociable than others
interstategar don't pet other peoples horses who you don't know they could be agressive or any other of number of things
Because people will always have ignorant cousins and neighbors that run back to the barn and meet your horses before you can get to them, I go out of my way to desensitize my foals to being smooched loudly on the nose, and even dog patted on the forehead. I also pull on their ears, and completely cover their heads in a "hug." My horses will therefore not freak out and smack someone in the head with their head when this happens -- they will just get annoyed and back off if it is not gentle. Also train them to be able to tolerate an over the head blanket -- my vet had to get her jaw wired when her 2 yr old pinto filly freaked as she lowered the over the head blanket. Start with a towel and work up to a blanket. Over the head blankets are far less likely to twist if some idiot stalls the horse with a blanket on, and therefore they won't die from being cast in their stall, slip sliding around on the twisted blanket.
Wonderful video! Warmest of thanks for sharing your wisdom. I've just started working with horses and I have much to learn about how they communicate and how I can respect them and be respected as well.
Thank-you for this video! I grew-up with horses never knew what I was doing was taught to never show fear... that's about it.
Thank you for this video, you mentioned quite a few things i did not know before. Why haven't I watched a video like this before!? It was very informative and useful. Also your stallion is absolutely beautiful!
This is a very good lesson. Thanks.
thank you for this. it be wonderful to see how you train horses and your techniques on many things. i wish i had horses but i get comfort watching you and your beautiful horse. thank you!
you are so right. i learned this the hard way. i got a proud cut arabian, who started out as a sweet horse. i was nursing it back to health. he wasnt abused physically, but neglected and kept with stalllions and then was hurt by him. anyway, i hugged, kissed and touched him a lot and all over. when he got better, after a year, he grew mean. he did not see me as the lader. not at all. instead of loving me for being good to him and helping him get better, he decided to try and kick and stomp at me whenever he got a chance. i gave him up at that point. i learned a lot AFTER the fact. i was too lovey dovey to him. i messed him up. i am not a horse person, number one he gave me a fear of horses now, and i am a lovey dovey person to my other animals. i am always holing, kissing loving my dogs and cats. i did not know that you could not do that with horses. both the horse sand ended up being damaged by my doing that.
thank you for sharing your story.
i wish it hadnt turned out like that. i do miss his crabby beautiful ass!
I touched my horse down there and he got excited and mounted me. You know when they say "hung like a horse" they aren't kidding! :(
UBUNTU UBUNTU Never ever touch your stallion on the chest, or he my try and breeding with you.
I meant may
I love the expression on the horse's face when she strokes him between the front legs ...
He's like ... "Hey Baby" .... LOL
Really interesting..I think it is so important to know how to touch animals how they want and not you as a human. Same goes for my cat, I recently reflected that maybe she prefers to be stroked not how I like it but how she likes it. Thanks for this.
Interesting. Never had a problem with any of my stallions. They were taught from the beginning that I was allowed to touch them any place I needed to. This is important for grooming, training, vetting, shoeing, and many other reasons.
Thank you for that information! I love learning about how animals think and how they communicate.
Thank you for this very informative video. There are similar rules for petting parrots so it is fascinating to learn that there are links between two otherwise very different animals. If it helps, in English the bump at the top of the horse's shoulder and the base of his neck is called the "withers", although I have no idea why, and we usually use the term "hindquarters" rather than "ass".
+forensicgirl Ah thank you, you are the first who recognizes the stimulation of sexual feelings on other species. Very interesting what you write about parrots. I have heard of that..
For many it might be strange that sexual stimulation happens at the front and not where humans would think it should be.
And yes it helps, your correction is very welcome and very helpful. Thanks.
(Why are donkeys called asses?)
(SUPER late response but) The term "ass" came long before it became an insult then evolved to more specifically refer to someone's rear end. In culture an ass (donkey) was looked down on as a somewhat pathetic and stupid creature, so being called an ass was an insult. It meant you were smelly, stupid, and gross (like a donkey. Not true but that's what the idea was of donkeys same as how people who are dirty might be called pigs) eventually it evolved into a term used to refer to someones rear end I'd assume because it smells haha. People stopped calling donkeys asses and it became exclusively its own term. Though, we do still have an animal we call an ass, but they're wild and feral, not anything we use in domesticated purposes.
@About Horses...Love your video's and appreciate them greatly. I am 58, and have owned several horses in my lifetime. I was surprised to learn something new with your video, but it makes perfect sense! You are the only one to have talked about this, and thank you! The chest area is also a stimulation area for an unneutered dog...which I'm sure many people get a surprise reaction, but possibly do not make the connection. I didn't know about parrots that have 'no go zones", but I have not had a lot of birds. Again, thank you for your informative video's!
Thank you for you rime, a great answer.
Actually my question was funny meant because I was corrected, not to say ass but hindquarters.
Yet, the term ass is how people look at things, not how things are.
About horses I am far too old to ride any more, but learned age 11 but I wish I'd known about you back then. I would have paid good money for tutorials with you. You are doing a great service to the horse and people who come into contact with them, thank you x
Great.Thank you.I love and respect horses.Indeed they are very sensitive to how we touch them.Very important the energy of touch and movement.
The thought and control of emotions essential as well.You cannot cheat the horses.Impossible.They are connected.
I'm happy to know knot to touch their noses. That makes sense now. Oh! and I was laughing at the response when you rubbed on his front, wow! ha ha! Very interesting!
Thank you for this video. I taught some of these tips when I was taking classes but not all of them. I was taught to run my hand across the top part of the body when walking around the back side of their body when switching side to groom them because of the trust between us and them.
That's a beautiful stallion. Also very good information, thank you.
Thank you, and he is such a gentleman
WOW ! Never to old to learn new stuff .Thank-you. Very interesting and helpful.😃💝🎈
This very informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Didn't know about the area between the front legs.
thank you, very informative and not talked about. I never would have known.
So glad I found your video! normally I only deal with mares so the front part about stallions was new to me!^^
I never had a stallion. We only had castrated male horses and they did not react to the touch on the chest. Ha. What you described are things I instinctively already respected when handling horses. I never consciously knew about them. Good video.
You're an amazing lady! Thank you. I actually know nothing about horses and thishelped a lot considering I'm riding my first one tomorrow.
This was really enlightening! I never knew any of this. I am in a chair, and I love to go and sit and watch my sister, who is a farrier, work. I can't reach the back or the shoulders of a horse. Is there another safe place to touch for someone like me who is low to the ground? I usually read or sit near the pasture, and the horses my sister is not working on sometimes come to see who I am because they are curious.
Thank you for your candor. This was very interesting. Horses are magnificent animals. I would have loved to grow up on a farm with a variety of animals. I used to ride when I was young but only on rare occasions. Thank you again for the information.
Wow! Thanks for this video. It is very helpful to know these things. What a beautiful grey boy you have there. I had a horse as a kid, never was taught about the things you taught in this video. Thanks.
I have studied animal behaviour in the past and yep, that part is the same for donkey's and other animals that "Climb" on the other animal. The females... have it between the hips. Specially when they are in season. Noses are secret, one should not directly go and grab the face of any animal cause that is a very very indecent thing to do. If you think about it it is not that strange too, cause would you like it being grabbed and touched in your face straight on without being introduced?
I think you vids are very interesting. Do you also do them in dutch? Cause I bet there would be also a lot of dutch viewers that can use this info. Specially young people, for they are enthusiastic but in their enthusiasm forget proper etiquette that one would need to address or dealing with an animal in general.
Again... good video, very usefull information. :)
Thank you for your nice comment and positive words.
Actually I am not sure if the information would be accepted. We have a 'female' culture here, meaning that many woman and young girls ride horses. Even being a woman myself, many woman have their 'own way of how to treat a horse'.
I like your expression of proper etiquette, very true.
Horses and many more social animals have them
In England we call the part above the shoulder the 'wither.'
Very informative lesson....I love horses but never knew this....thank you so much!
Thank you for this 'tip' video. I grew up around horses and I didn't know. I'll be more careful in the future!
Very nice and down to earth explanation, excellent thanks!
Thank you for sharing. I'm getting a horse soon and this is helpful.
So frustrated that I can't hear you on ANY video of yours. I still watch as you always pick some of the more magnificent horses.
These are the horses that live at our place, glad to hear you like them too.
Perhaps you can try the subtitle. Sorry for my soft voice.
6:58 please tell me that's only for stallions? or else my whole equestrian life has been ruined hahahhaa
Your horses are always beautiful. Happy and relaxed. Well, the erogenous zone between the legs was definitely new to me. He certainly cooperated to demonstrate that though. I'm a believer now. Respectfully, I don't completely agree with the scratching thing, or the nose. Some of my horses will seek out those scratches and ask for them and then follow me around for more when I stop. I think it mimics grooming behavior with other horses. Although my gelding that I ride and have the best relationship with is much more like you describe. Not into the scratches, but a calm, firm hand at his shoulder, neck or withers is appreciated. I don't know that it's exactly like hitting their knee to induce that nose in the air, lipping though. That interaction might be a bit more nuanced than just a reflex that horses tolerate until they are irritated by it. I had one highly strung mare that would become calmer if I placed a hand over one nostril. She would seek it out when she was frightened, and put one nostril in my hand and take a big whiff, and it would calm her. She was, admittedly kind of a strange duck though. I have another mare now where her rump is a no go area. You're right, most horses like it, but not her. She won't kick, but she will tense up, step away and sometimes swish her tail. She came from a rough beginning though and I'm not entirely sure what was done, and she's always been odd. She's never been mean about it, and she will tolerate being touched there if I really require it, it's just not a great spot for her. All horses are different I guess.I have one who is a licker and I agree it is a disordered behavior. I hate it. I don't allow it with me, but lots of people think it's cute and a sign of affection, so it's hard to break him of the habit. It's almost like a baby with a pacifier with him sometimes.
I just hold out a hand with the palm down and let them smell if they want and if they're still interested I just stand relaxed, leaned over a fence and let them smell my face. If I want to pet, I'll brush, I think by brushing, it feels much nicer and brushes shed out.
I have rubbed the chest of my gelding and it seemed to relax and put him almost to sleep. I've done this esp when he seems nervous when he's getting his hooves trimmed. To me it was/is a heart connection or feel - although maybe I was stroking a bit higher on chest instead of between the front legs. Not saying this video isn't correct, it's just that I haven't seen that sort of response in him. However, when he gets grain he does respond that way - lol! I also agree about the nose, but sometimes he (and other horses I've been around) SEEK out touch with the nose, so I very gently will touch them there, but I don't grab on them there or anything. Also with regard to being "strong" and having "strong presence", I think there is way too much emphasis on this with regard to horses, to the extent that people are sort of putting on a façade which distorts their true energy (which horses can pick up on). What I've found is that if I try too hard to be "strong" with horses (as so many instructors will emphasize), the horse have reacted in a more guarded or stressed out way toward me because I'm not simply allowing things to flow naturally and actually be my sensitive self. I think there is a sort of distortion as to what "strong" really means in our society. I think just being your true self, even if you are more sensitive and soft, is actual strength because it's truth and horses (all animals really) can pick up on that. When I actually am at peace and more my real self, that is when the horses respond well to me.
Thanks for your story. I get a picture of it, and I have o say that it sure sometimes works very good to relax.
This horse is a stallion, so they are more into reflexes.
You sound like a very dedicated person, and that makes me so happy to read.
Being strong imo is being there, not being hard or rough but being there in he moment and be a guide for the horse in our world. They will respond on your real feelings, not on a facade many teachers want. when you are sensitive it is great, they recognize that. Strong is to be yourself, and that is very hard in human society.
Stay you, sounds to me you are a great horse person with empathy. Thats what will help many horses and other species.
So my old pony used to hate showering and always stepped around and was nervous around the shower area. I always put put my hand against his neck and held it there for a while when he did it and he more often that not he stopped dancing around and seemed to calm down. Do you think that might have been the cause? That the action gave him a little extra strength and a sign that he was ok, like a "comforting hand on the shoulder"? I've been thinking about it for years that maybe it did help cause he always seemed to calm down by that action. Anyways, this video was very helpful so thank you! :)
Very interesting that you found a place to calm your Horse. I think your idea about 'comforting hand on the shoulder' makes good sense. Perhaps this zone is also helpful in stressful situations, never thought about that. So it is very worth while information.
Glad to read that there are people like you who want to Gove horses a life without stress and find manners to help them in our human world, just by being humane. I like this
Thanks for the comment :-)
If I have nervous foals during hoof trims I let them "hug" my shoulder with their neck and lean their head over my back. The pressure really calms them down, like they are back in the safe womb. I don't even have to fight or yank on them at all once they feel snug. I change position for the other front leg to be trimmed. I also trim youngsters in my slant trailer, so they have something (rubber wall or partition) to balance up against.
babypanda I think this zone is like a "friendzone"...bcause horses go there to grab with there teeth and thats why this is a comfortable zone,where most horses calm down and put their head down
That definitely is a thing. I always get the feeling that it "grounds" them a bit and reminds them, that they are not alone and that you don't want another reaction from them.
It also helps my horse to distinguish the times he should move away and make room for me, from the times that I need him to stay still and let me touch him.
I also found that firmly brushing or scratching the withers is quite enjoyable for most horses, they groom each other there as a form of socializing.
Thanks that was very helpful, I'm new to horses and have recently got a young stallion, greatly appreciated!!
new to horses and you start with a stallion !!! ? cray cray ..lol
Mark Johns yes stallions can be very dangerous by nature and it's best for only advanced equestrians to handle them.
even i do get a set up going and get back into horses. no stallions for me i don't care how advanced I get not even if you pay me a quadrillion dollars hell to the no.
new to horses and you chose a stallion - bad decision
Stallions are pretty high strung..I hope things are going well with him.
Fabulous straightforward info. You are the Horse Whisperer.
U bent Nederlands dacht ik!? Ik heb in een paar minuten heel wat bijgeleerd! Dank je wel!!
Ha, ja dat klopt. LOL
Fijn om te horen, het is een wat 'gewaagd' filmpje maar er zitten veel wijsheden in.
Thank you for many of those tips. Very helpful.
That was very interesting she explained everything very well.
I wonder if these touch rules also apply to donkeys and other domesticated farm animals? This was excellent information about horses!
Our neighbor has a mare we rather enjoy petting and feeding carrots, cabbage, and occasionally corn stalks to. We have permission, of course, but I was rather curious if the chest petting reaction is the same? Mostly we rub around her shoulders, mane, and the top of her muzzle.
wow you are amazing, you're so knowledgeable about horses. wonderful video, although I had a little trouble hearing you at the beginning. :-)
i did not know about the petting the chest part. very interesting and very helpful as I own a 7 month old thoroughbred colt, so now I know which arts is a big NO-NO. Thanks!
Finally I have an explanation as to why my horse's penis comes out when I'm rubbing his chest😯😯😯
Thank you for making these videos!
Wow, this video was very helpful. You have such a beautiful horse.
I did learn alot from this video and what a beautiful horse
it's a very informative video. I actually have a horse who likes to be pet gently on his nose (especially on the side of it), it's almost the only way he can relax. But he's a special horse he got abused before he came to us maybe this is a spot where they did not hit him :(
I am glad I watched this video, I learned something very valuable here.
yes, i learned tons of things.
Thank you so much..you have probably saved me from doing something very embarrassing in the future lol
Thank you. A very good lesson!
your horse is soooooooooo pretty