[Dyphus]

Hey. I was just wondering, any advice as to how I can get horses that don't know me, to be comfortable around me?
This isn't for sexual purposes, just in general.

Thanks!

[Godt]

The question is really the other way around.

You have to be able to feel comfortable around horses you don't know.
Then the rest will come.


That said, horses are individuals with different personalities, so one of course have to evaluate the situation.
Observe - attempting to make contact with stranger horses without observing can be really bad for business.

[heythere]

remember, horses are just like people. if you feel comfortable around them, then they'll feel comfortable around you. :) take it slow

[rololover]

First learn their language, then listen to them. They will answer all your questions! ;)

[Horserotique]

rololover had the best answer.

If you are new to being around horses, it is like when you want to live in a foreign country. At first, you have to learn the basic rules by observeing others living in that country. So when you are familiar with the basic rules, you can start to learn the language, and also the culture.

Horses also have their own basic rules, language, and "culture". And the only way to learn this is spending as much time around, and with them as you can.


So at first, just the basic rules. Observe their reaction to your movement, voice, touch, etc. Also, observe how they communicate with each other.

[chestnutgeld]

I totaly agree it takes time to get to know each other,sometimes a little treat,some ear or back scritching,just talking and watching,allow the pet to come to you,go close,touch if allowed than back away a little to make the new pet,male or female currious about you.I personally have found sitting on an upturned pail and watched my horse and at a low level they become curious and not threatening to them :rolleyes: :P :angel: :friends: :doggie: :runninghorse: :horseback: as usual just take it slow and have patience with them

[sizzlesstud]

chestnutgeld, on Feb 24 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

I totaly agree it takes time to get to know each other,sometimes a little treat,some ear or back scritching,just talking and watching,allow the pet to come to you,go close,touch if allowed than back away a little to make the new pet,male or female currious about you.I personally have found sitting on an upturned pail and watched my horse and at a low level they become curious and not threatening to them :rolleyes: :P :angel: :friends: :doggie: :runninghorse: :horseback: as usual just take it slow and have patience with them

Exactly: two biggest things to remember when working with horses : patience : passion to work with them

a horse is an amazing animal to bond with and you need to gain trust and respect in ther world

[ShireRocco]

Here's a thought, try doing volunteer work at a local riding stables. There are some places that do animal-assisted therapy, there are horse rescues out there that desperately need people to help. There you could learn and build up your experience with horses. You'd be learning to communicate with them, and in turn helping them where they desperately need it most.

Consider this. Every month the US ships about 4,500 horses to Canada, and another 2,500 to Mexico for slaughter, so your volunteering can do wonders in helping rehome a horse.

[rololover]

ShireRocco, on Mar 4 2009, 01:47 AM, said:

Here's a thought, try doing volunteer work at a local riding stables. There are some places that do animal-assisted therapy, there are horse rescues out there that desperately need people to help. There you could learn and build up your experience with horses. You'd be learning to communicate with them, and in turn helping them where they desperately need it most.

Consider this. Every month the US ships about 4,500 horses to Canada, and another 2,500 to Mexico for slaughter, so your volunteering can do wonders in helping rehome a horse.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Cathexis]

I agree that spending time with horses is the best way to form a bond. Just sit with them without any expectations. Have patience and allow a natural bond to form. It truly is an honor to develop a friendship with a horse. After all these years it still amazes me that such a perfect creature would stoop to spending time with me. Every horse is different and it's a lot of fun getting to know each unique personality.

[mach]

I am whit my mare Stela for 2 years now , and my god how much everything changed between us in 2 years...we had bad times too regretably in our past, but i hardly ever thought that we are going to get so close...i meen , not the sex part( obviously) , its just ...getting friends whit her, earning her trust( and the other way around), instinctevly learning about eachother, i'm certain she feels me just as i feel her , i can see well even from a distance what is her state of mind, if she's happy or , not , or restless , or scared , or bored ...its the little details that count...

Its just still amazes me that she sees me now as some sort of equine buddy whom she can ask favours ,whom she trust and whom she listens to if its necesarry...someone she feels quite confortable whit...its simply a beautiful feeling ...

Now one thing i learned in these 2 years whit Stela is that theres no books, no guides , no anything that will actually guide you to develop your relationship whit your horse properly ...books , guides , advices are of great help pointing you where to head , but the most important part is that you have to FEEL this relationship developing , you must want to ,you must have in you this desire to get ever closer to your horse...instinctevly, whitout thinking you WILL find a channel which both can understand ...the old expresion " let your heart guide you " cannot be more true...

[kkkxxx79]

Hi:runninghorse: