Paddock Love
Some people don't care if their horse likes them. I am not one of them. My horses aren't allowed to be standoffish.... I know they want to be scratched and fawned over, even if they don't realize it. I'm persistent and they soon learn that this woman is not going to be satisfied until she is rubbing fur. I suspect that they just eventually give up any hope of escape since the more they avoid me, the more I single them out for special treatment. In my experience, it only takes at most a month of persistent love to break through the most hardened equine heart.
Don't be mistaken though, my pretties, I am also a strict headmistress in the school of paddock behavior. Its my pleasure to rub and scratch, but don't cross me. Don't push me around or try to dominate the space, or it is suddenly time to back up or circle around - Get those feet moving!. If I feel like you are endangering me, I have no qualms about wacking you with whatever is close at hand..... but then... it's over and I love you again.
The net result is that my equines adore me. They come when I call their names. They follow when asked. They compete for my attention. They try to please me.
Clay West once made the observation that my mustang didn't just join-up... he "mothered up" into some kind of intimate proximity. I believe that equines enjoy a certain degree of intimacy with their owners. They revel in the bond, knowing that they are loved. You know it when they want to hang their heads over you in tranquility, closing their eyes in a state of bliss. Ahhh, the joy of paddock love!
posted by Patricia Barlow-Irick @ 7:37 AM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
It does make me smile, when my horse goes out of his way to show me some love, not for a treat, (although he gets those,) but just because he likes me.
Me, too, this is exactly how I want my horses to be. Last year I had 6 foals, counting the twins. Because of all the care the twins needed the others didn't get their normal attention so I'm still working on them but it won't be long and they'll be running right up to greet me like the rest of them. By the time I get on them, they just look up at me with that expression that says, "Hey, Mom, what're ya doin' up there?" It's a very cool feeling.
I couldn't agree more. About a month after the new horse arrives at our place he or she is actually happy to see me and even happier to be scratched!
It all comes down to time spent with your horse. The more time you spend with them the more they want to be with you. My mare was very sensitive to touch and didn't like it much. I made it apoint to touch her all over at different times to get her used to it and now I think she really enjoys it. Great post!
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