Comments on: Exploring communication: horses’ “hello”

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:09:01 +0000

This is something I have to remind myself of. I tend to do most things in a no-nonsense, energy efficient sort of way. But marching up to my girl in the paddock brandishing a halter at her is not the best method. Many a time this has resulted in her having a great canter about!

I have usually fled from work and I need to remember to stop, breathe, and quietly approach her. I will try to offer her a hand from now on. I have to say that if I have a little of her aromatherapy oil on me, she is much happier to come to me. Interesting…

By: Jessy

Jessy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:06:15 +0000

That was a really good analogy. It makes perfect sense.

I think my horse is a bit strange. Years ago when I first bought him, he would run away from me every time. But now, he usually does a combination of 1 and 3. He won’t walk up to me, but I’ll go over and pat him before putting the halter on and he’ll reach back and press his nose into my hand. Sometimes he’ll even nicker to me. Then he’ll lower his nose and let me put the halter on. It’s a world of improvement from when it used to take me 15-30 minutes to catch him. His mood fluctuates so much that I never know what to expect. Once in a blue moon, he’ll surprise me and trot right over when I whistle. That’s the best feeling in the world when he does that. It still boggles my mind how much he’s changed over the years.

By: The Horse's Advocate

The Horse's Advocate — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:59:13 +0000

I think that how a person greets others is a great indication on how he/she plans on treating them.

Very prophetic!

By: Molly

Molly — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:21:56 +0000

Good point and great comparison between human and horse greeting rituals. With people I tend to be a bit shy at first, I am not good at connecting with people though it is a skill I am always trying to develop.

With my horse I always spend a few seconds or minutes to give a treat or a scratch before putting the halter on. I want him to enjoy seeing me and not dread my approach. I always found it depressing that we call our dogs and catch our horses. Bodhi was impossible to catch when I first bought him and it is something I have really worked on. He usually comes when he is called now. Unlike dogs however, sometimes a sun patch and tasty grass is just too amazing to leave and I have to trek out to meet him. He always seems happy to see me and never tries to avoid me though. I think that how a person greets others is a great indication on how he/she plans on treating them. No wonder some horses would rather not do business with us and turn away when our first impressions are so rushed and lousy.