I like to rub the fronts of both shoulders, right where the neck ties in- rubbing out tension and encouraging them to shake it out and be happy. I also like to rub up and down the crest for the same reason.
they are all different. Maggie would be sad about a hearty pat/slap on the neck, Chip would order a round of beers and light a stogie. they are all different 
Smacking, enthusiastic slaps, patting HORSE is not perceived as a reward by the horse
Andrew McLean, horse behaviorist/psychologist and co-author with Paul McGreevy of the book, EQUITATION SCIENCE, advises that if humans want to give a “feel good” touch to their horses, they should do what horses do to each other, which is to lightly scratch the horse at the shoulder, just below the withers. What horses do when they are relating in a friendly way is to gently scratch each other on the shoulder with their teeth. Next time you succeed at that next competition, lean over (rewarding the horse by loosening the reins) and gently scratch the base of your horse’s neck.
Caveat:
FYI especially for the huggy smoochy humans…be careful where you touch a horse, especially stallions and many geldings. The male horse’s sexual arousal spot is in front between his legs at and under his chest; it’s the male horse’s masturbation spot and the spot which rubs against the mare when the male mounts her. I did some reading & research on how humans (predators) should handle horses (prey animals) which is how I stumbled upon this information.
While I’m on the subject of patting animals…dogs really, really do not like to be patted on the top of their heads, however gently the human does this. They will tolerate it, because it’s in their nature to please the humans they are bonded to, but if you want to please a dog, scratch him behind the ears.
I reward my mare by softly saying “good girl”, and/or giving her the length of reins so she can stretch out, and/or scratching her withers or stroking her mane.
On the ground, her favorite spot for me to scratch is where her neck ties to her shoulders just above her chest. She will stretch her neck/head up and make all sorts of ecstatic grimaces.
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I use a rub or a stroke or a scratch. Patting lightly is ok. Patting hard or smacking actually reverberates around their brain.
If one looks at the early stages of a horse’s life (when it is a foal), the comfort and reward for behaving (or coming back to the dam’s side out of fear) is a nuzzle just behind the withers or on the dock.
Interesting, that is where horses who mutually groom as they grow up just go too, and even to adulthood – when you watch them at liberty in the pasture – still praise and comfort each other.
So…taking their lead, that’s where I go. It’s their “sweet spot” that they learned from birth. And, as we know, horses retain physical contact and the response to it at birth. They simply adapt later in life with slapping and such (the glee of the owner/rider).
Lovely nuzzle with my fingers at the withers, or a “scritchy” on the dock. Obviously, the reins and bit have been released loose when this is done under saddle. To do otherwise would be quite confusing.
If you’re still riding and want to praise, still on contact, just reach over and give a nice soft scrath to the neck. Most horses will relax and reach down. The get it.
I always give a little withers rub after a rein backend its been noticed by judges in comments and always positive
A scratch, pats, and Gooooooood Guuuuuuuuuuurl. She knows when she’s been good. And carrots/treats when we can get to them!!!
[QUOTE=CamdenLab;5011904]
I see a lot of dressage riders rewarding their horses with a big smack on the shoulder. Do horses really like that?[/QUOTE]
Would we like it if we were the horse?
Let’s say that someone drives us around using bit, whip and spur, and then when they’re done they pat or smack us. Would we value a pat, or would we be more interested in the release from the aversives (bit, whip, spur, work).
IMO, the whacking is just “look at me” grandstanding at the expense of the horse. Some of them don’t even release the aids when they do it, but just make a big, loud show of “rewarding” their horse.
Thousands of clicker trainers have no problem at all rewarding their horses at the right moment. They do it by using a click to mark the behavior they want to reward, and then feeding the treat after going through the halt sequence that leads up to the treat.
[QUOTE=sophie;8418743]
I reward my mare by softly saying “good girl”, and/or giving her the length of reins so she can stretch out, and/or scratching her withers or stroking her mane.
On the ground, her favorite spot for me to scratch is where her neck ties to her shoulders just above her chest. She will stretch her neck/head up and make all sorts of ecstatic grimaces.[/QUOTE]
Maybe I’m (salaciously) overthinking, but if you read what Doggie says about studs & extrapolate, isn’t that where a stallion nuzzles a mare when he’s mounted? :winkgrin:
Count me in the Knucklerub Club :yes:
A low on the neck, close to withers scratch is what I use and recommend. A “good boy or girl”, is also useful.
If you want to back it up with a treat fine. I try to make a point of verbally rewarding or scratching when I give a treat. That way in the middle of the arena, a quick quiet scratch is perceived as a treat. Particularly in some disciplines where speaking to your horse is a No-No.
Slaps are reserved for discipline.
They seem to enjoy the slap on the neck when their adrenaline is up, eg after XC.
My boy gets a little scratch occasionally, but usually verbal rewards.
I think it depends I what they become familiar with. I usually scratch rather than pat or slap but like someone said if I feel like we just survived something big together my adrenaline turns it into a big soft pat. My horse actually seems to appreciate these and realize that they mean she did an especially good job but I’m sure she’d prefer the scratch. I think that horses can be incredible partners and ultimately understand the purpose behind something like that as they become used to working with their rider even if it’s not something they’d prefer on their own in a field.
After reading the article, I changed from patting to scratching by the withers. I do think he likes it better. Just a feeling I get from him, nothing I can definitely describe.
Could be! :lol:
Slapping is for the human. It’s done, even subconsciously, so that other people near also see the horse did something right.
If you think about it logically, why would an animal whose communication techniques are largely subtle and nonverbal see a big ol’ smack on the shoulder as a good thing? Those that seem to “get it” are much more likely to be enjoying the release from the rider’s aids, not the smack itself.
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