What does it mean when a horse touches his nose to your lips?

[charismaryllis]

I’m not sure, but it’s possible. Personally, even I think the “carrot in the mouth” trick is pretty risky. Putting your mouth near ANY animal while it’s eating seems almost like asking for it somehow.

no, she meant carrot in your mouth. some people think it’s cute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owl6Z_0rbGU

personally, i think this one is asking for trouble, with the two horses loose like that.

i was also thinking maybe you had eaten something yummy like peanut butter and that’s what they’re smelling.

but as others have said–not a behavior you want to encourage. a woman at my barn got bitten on the cheek by her horse; big fabulous bruise just in time for yearbook pictures.

[Gidget]

[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7633388]
The black & white stance for beginners is something I live by. But if you search, there is a COTH confession thread where most of us have admitted to breaking many of these rules.

Every horse/human interaction is different. Play it safe for as long as possible, watch and learn from every horse you can.

Overall the behavior you wrote of is something my horses have done, but I know them very very well. My gelding for example has been with me for 17 years, so I let him interact differently than my mare of 1 year with me.

It sounds like you want to learn the right way, keep it up.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, AmarachAcres!

Yes, I do want to learn the right way…and I have no interest in becoming an “equestrian casualty” someday. It’s just not worth it.

[Gidget]

[QUOTE=charismaryllis;7633390]
no, she meant carrot in your mouth. some people think it’s cute.[/QUOTE]

Hi Charismaryllis!

Yeah, I know what she meant. The person holds the carrot in their mouth for the horse to come take and it looks like their “kissing” at the end. To each their own, but I sure as Hell wouldn’t do it.

Thanks for the “heads up” about your friend’s cheek…OUCH!

[fooler]

When moving around a horse I try to always keep a hand on their body so they know it is me and to stay close. Equus mag did an article on why, how and the force with which horses kick.
The closer you are to the horse, the less damage they can do. Just think about you hitting something. The closer you are to the object, the less swing and force you can create, as you step away the force of your swing increases. The same with the horse.
Sounds like your trainer is giving you good advise.

Plus I am one more telling you to set physical boundaries between you and the horses.

[jenm]

[QUOTE=Gidget;7632885]

I’m just curious, does this behavior fall under good, bad or pretty much meaningless?[/QUOTE]

I’m voting for bad because a horse should respect your space unless you have invited it in.

I board my mare in a pasture and it drives me crazy when I walk in and other horses think it’s okay to walk up to me to beg for treats. I discourage it and am thankful my horse is the alpha mare and makes it clear the other horses are not welcome. Even so, having a horse walk uninvited into your space is just not safe.

She knows how to kiss my cheek with a little wiggle of her nose against my cheek when I say “kiss-kiss” but she has to be invited to do so. When I first got her she had NO ground manners and I spent a good amount of time with a trainer teaching her to respect space and not be pushy. The only reason I taught her the trick was because she really learned to respect my space and is quite responsive to the word “no”.

On a funny note, I remember a day early in our relationship where she took the liberty of trying to rub her head against my leg. The person who was with me (a horse owner) commented on how cute it was and interpreted it as a sign of affection… :sigh:

Gidget, I find your attitude refreshing. You are so willing to learn and don’t take critique as a negative but rather something you can learn from.

The more questions you ask, the better horsewoman you will become. (Assuming you don’t ask the woman who thought my horse rubbing her head on me was cute.) :lol:

[Gidget]

[QUOTE=fooler;7633941]
When moving around a horse I try to always keep a hand on their body so they know it is me and to stay close. Equus mag did an article on why, how and the force with which horses kick.
The closer you are to the horse, the less damage they can do. Just think about you hitting something. The closer you are to the object, the less swing and force you can create, as you step away the force of your swing increases. The same with the horse.
Sounds like your trainer is giving you good advise.

Plus I am one more telling you to set physical boundaries between you and the horses.[/QUOTE]

Hi Fooler!

Thanks for your post. That article sounds really educational. I’m going to try to find it online.

For the time being though, I’m content to change sides around the FRONT end.

[Gidget]

:lol:

[QUOTE=jenm;7633973]
I’m voting for bad because a horse should respect your space unless you have invited it in.

I board my mare in a pasture and it drives me crazy when I walk in and other horses think it’s okay to walk up to me to beg for treats. I discourage it and am thankful my horse is the alpha mare and makes it clear the other horses are not welcome. Even so, having a horse walk uninvited into your space is just not safe.

She knows how to kiss my cheek with a little wiggle of her nose against my cheek when I say “kiss-kiss” but she has to be invited to do so. When I first got her she had NO ground manners and I spent a good amount of time with a trainer teaching her to respect space and not be pushy. The only reason I taught her the trick was because she really learned to respect my space and is quite responsive to the word “no”.

On a funny note, I remember a day early in our relationship where she took the liberty of trying to rub her head against my leg. The person who was with me (a horse owner) commented on how cute it was and interpreted it as a sign of affection… :sigh:

Gidget, I find your attitude refreshing. You are so willing to learn and don’t take critique as a negative but rather something you can learn from.

The more questions you ask, the better horsewoman you will become. (Assuming you don’t ask the woman who thought my horse rubbing her head on me was cute.) :lol:[/QUOTE]

Hi Jenm!

Thanks for taking the time to write.

Yes, I really strive to put my feelings (i.e., EGO) aside and pay attention to every single comment I receive. I started riding late in life, so why waste time arguing with people who are only trying to help me?

I know I’ve made a few mistakes around horses (it would be unnatural if I hadn’t at this point!), but I think the ONE thing that’s saved me is I’m pretty “in tune” when it comes to reading animals’ moods & body-language…at least in general.

For example, one day I was waiting for the mounting block with a somewhat “feisty” gelding I’d never ridden before. All of a sudden, I could sense him gearing up to give me a healthy shove with his head. (I don’t know how I knew, I just did.) QUICKLY, I took his head in both my hands and said, “NO.” As soon as I did it, his whole body relaxed and he didn’t try any more crap with me.

Now, THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about, people! :lol: