Does My Horse Love Me?

by Michelle
(Illinois)

I know being with a horse makes a special bond. A special, connection. But I do not know If my horse and I have it yet! I mean, yes, me and him ride well together, but how about everything else! The only sign of him loving me so far is him following me. But only when I ask him to. And, he lets me kiss and pet him. Not hug him though... Do we have the bond and connection yet?

Answer: Let me say this, the only person that know if you and your horse share a connection is you. Does your horse have respect for you, does he do what you ask of him willingly? Do you understand his language and does he understand yours? Does he want to be around you or do you have to make him? That's how you can tell if you and your horse share a connection.

I once heard a very respected horse trainer say on TV that horses don't know what love is. They are not capable of loving you, they just love the feed that you give them. Well, I totally disagree with him on that one. I have 4 horses and I know them inside out. My two mares respect me and I respect them. They don't like to be loved on and petted so therefore I respect their wishes. But when I put the halter on them, they know that it's time to listen. My two geldings on the other hand are a totally different story. They run over each other to be petted and loved on and groomed. When I go out in the pasture, those two are my shadow. They follow me everywhere I go. As a matter of fact, most of the time I have to make them go away and leave me alone so that I can get my work done. They don't do my husband or my son this way. So I know that my horses love me and want to be with me. But all horses are different and you have to know what they like and don't like and respect their wishes.