how do I get my horse to enjoy my company and like being with me?

Question

I don't know why but she seems kind of mad at me now I wish we could become closer....

Answer 1

horses are social creatures that are mostly motived by food. Spend as much time with your horse at and during the feeding times. Hang out with it, brushing and grooming it. Horses groom each other in those places they can't reach like the tops of thier withers. My horses love to back into me butt first whenI'm hanging out cause they like thier tail heads srcitced lol. If your horse has other horses to hang with, you'll always be low man in thier choice of companions. Please don't attriubte human respones and emotions ( she is mad at me ) to animals. Below is a very useful link on that subject

Answer 2

I need a little more info about this otherwise I really can't pinpoint the problem. I'll give you some ways to help identify the problem, though.

First, check if anything physically is wrong. She may be hurting, putting her in a bad mood all the time. Have a vet come check her out for soreness or some other health issue she may have. Also, make sure her tack fits. Here's a fast fact for ya: 80% of America's saddles don't fit their horses.

Second, you might have a communication problem with your horse. How experienced are you with horses? If you are a novice or intermediate, you may be having problems communicating efficiently with your horse. When you ride her, does she constantly swivel her ears back and forth, hesitate often, or bob her head constantly? These are all signs of confusion, which will lead to frustration in the horse. Have your trainer help you with your body position and body language. Also, learning a bit of horse training would help tremendously...call a professional for this.

Most likely, you have a relationship problem. Either she doesn't trust you, she considers herself dominant over you, etc. You'll have to decide this for yourself if you have a relationship problem. You should hire a horse trainer to help you build up a new loving, trusting relationship.

Again, I could have offered some more suggestions if you had been more specific. Find out what category the problem is in, then deal with it from there. If it IS a relationship problem, there is no one, simple route out from that. You can't just go out to the barn one day and decide to repair your relationship. It takes a lot of patience and work to convince the horse you are alpha and you are there to teach her. Remember, this does NOT involve any beating, smacking, whipping. Have a trainer help you achieve alpha status with your horse.

Good luck, i hope all goes well

Answer 3

Some times the best thing to do is just go sit out in the pasture and let the horse approach you. You talk to her as if she is a friend and not an animal you take her for short walks you feed her pat her on the neck never yell at her brush her. If you have a horse and all you do is ride and never do anything else with her then she won't want to be around you she will feel used. Show her that she can trust you. Maybe her problem is being sold to many times not every being loved. I have seen this all to many times. Treat her as you would want a person to treat you if you were a horse

Answer 4

Really, if anyone is going to be able to help we need more background on the situation. Is it a mare, stud, gelding? How old? Is it a new pet? How are you keeping it; stable, field, barn? How often are you with it? What kind of training does it have?

Horses are VERY intelligent animals. If you are even slightly fearful don't let it show or they will take advantage of it. However, do not be aggressive either. They will remember you and how you treat them. They have excellent senses & memories - make sure you give them a lot of posative reinforcement of the behaviors you expect of them.

Treats are helpfull, but over treating can be unhealthy for your relationship & the animal. After a while over treating will result in an animal that anticipates... almost demands... treats and can begin to nip to get what it wants.

The best way to "befriend" your horse is to simply be present & make contact. Groom your horse *EVERY* day, even when they don't seem to need it. Talk to it a lot - just speaking will help to impress the animal. Treat your animal like a good friend and they will become one.

Answer 5

Horses are people. They have a load of feelings. I believe that it might be true, because you have a mare, she might be going through some hormone issues.
I have ridden and owned horses for 20+ yrs, and horses do hold grudges. I have seen many horses who do not like men. Men tend to be overly aggressive and the horse then has bad experiences. Not all men are bad, but the horse doesn't know that until they meet someone who is different.
I agree with the others. Spend time with her. Don't overly baby her, but do become her friend. You can still be "head horse" and be a friend. I would know. I am.
Race horses are different. They don't think the same way that a "normal" horse thinks. Again, I would know. I have dealt with the ex-race horse, and I have to treat them differently.
The "normal" horse, one who has not been mistreated, abused, or neglected, tend to just need someone who is a partner, and a friend. Find her itchy spots. Find her favorite place to go, riding, or walking around. Go ahead and talk to her. It couldn't hurt. Horses listen very well, and if you listen close enough, you can hear them talk back.
Good luck.

Answer 6

You did not say if you have had this problem all along with her, or if this is something recent. If it is a recent problem, she may just be not feeeling good or maybe there is something you did that has caused her to back away from you. If she has never enjoyed being in your company, it may be a different thing altogether. She may just be one of the few horses that is standoffish no matter what you do. Or could possible be that you and her just do not get along. My "dream horse" and I just were not a good match. He resented any and everything I did for him. Pinned his ears, sulked, refused leads,bucked, etc...... I wound up selling him to a youth. And they are now a "dream team". He loves her and she loves him. Hopefully it is something that can be overcome with a little time. If not, you may just have to move on. Good Luck

Answer 7

Oh my goodness- what rubbish everyone else is telling you. Horses aren't people- they don't hold grudges. They react based on the situation they are in, and reactions they have learned to use in the past. Either way you need to pay more attention to what she's telling you. If she seems aggressive in the paddock- it's something in the way you catch her that is affecting her response- if it's saddling, same thing, etc, etc.

Get some books on horse behaviour and read them thoroughly- you will gain a great insight into what makes your horse tick.

Then, get a trainer to help you to communicate more effectively with your horse, may I suggest Natural Horsemanship? It's really interesting and heaps of fun.

Someone here mentioned two things that are 100% INCORRECT !! You should never be lower than the other horses in the paddock in your horses eyes. Have you seen what they do to horses that are lower in the pecking order? BITE AND KICK! You don't want to be in that situation.

And secondly- don't make a habit out of giving your horse treats. Pretty soon your horse will steal the food and misbehave anyway. I've seen people bowled over by their 17hh horse because they wanted a treat, but didn't want to be caught. Once again a dangerous situation. Many people on here are spouting jargon that they have recieved from other peopleor sources, but I have over ten years of personal experience, through handling racehorses, feral horses and abused horses.

Just take her pace, allow her to show you what you're doing wrong, but at the same time, prove to her that you are her leader. You won't know how to do either of these things until you understand her language.

Good luck to you- you've done well in recognising a problem, I hope you find your answer :)

Answer 8

Just by being with your horse, grooming her, petting her and riding her, you'll be able to form a bond. Horses tend to act on a situation from situation and don't hold grudges. Being a mare, she might be going through a heat cycle, and that would be a possibility for her behavior. Good luck!

Answer 9

Form a bond with him. Even little things like grooming him, taking him for a walk, and even talking to him and help strengthen a bond. You could also do T-Touch or join up and ground work. Maybe read some Monty Roberts or Mark Rashid books for help. The key is to spending more time with him and havin a relationship built on trust and respect-not force.

Answer 10

Every time I miss one day of visiting my horse he doesn't look at me and he will turn his butt to me. At first I couldn't understand why but it just happened to be every time I miss a day or more. Maybe she is telling you she needs more attention from you. Another thing I had to do when I went on my 2 week vacation was sit in his stall with him and groom him and find all his itchy spots. Also my favorite way of making them love you more is fooooood! My horse loves apples, carrots and O&M. Maybe everytime you visit your horse bring her some food and find the itchy spots. Just try spending time with her. Maybe if she is not mean in the turn out go out there and play tag or follow the leader, but try not to let her cheat. My horse cheats all the time. Its not fair. Just be as nice as possible to her.
Good Luck