Horses are majestic creatures that have captured our imagination for centuries. Their powerful bodies and graceful movements make them a treat to watch. But do these equine beings actually enjoy our affections when we reach out to pet them? Read on as we extensively explore this question.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Most horses do enjoy being petted, especially on areas like their neck, shoulders, and hips. Petting triggers the release of feel-good hormones and helps bond horses with their owners or handlers.
Understanding a Horse’s Sensory System
Sensitive Skin and Nerve Endings
Horses have very sensitive skin with complex nerve endings across their bodies. Their skin reacts to even the slightest touch, which is why horses often shiver or twitch their skin. Light touches can actually tickle or soothe a horse depending on the area touched.
Areas particularly sensitive to touch include the muzzle, ears, withers, and flanks. When petting these areas, it’s best to use gentle strokes so as not to overload the horse’s sensitive nerve endings. The neck and shoulders tend to be less sensitive and can handle firmer petting.
Always start light, though, and gauge the horse’s reaction.
Reading Equine Body Language
To understand whether a horse likes being petted, it’s important to read the animal’s body language. Relaxed facial muscles, soft eyes, and resting a hoof are signs a horse is comfortable with petting.
If the horse steps away, moves its skin, or turns its head, it may not want more petting in that area.
Here are some clear signals that a horse is enjoying human touch:
- Leaning into the pets
- Lowering its head
- Licking and chewing softly
- “Blissing out” by relaxing its upper lip
And signs a horse doesn’t want to be petted:
- Pinned ears back
- Whipping its tail
- Stomping a hind leg
- Moving away suddenly
By understanding a horse’s body language, you can ensure petting remains a positive experience. Always be gentle, attentive, and ready to give them space when requested.
Where Horses Like to Be Pet
The Neck
Horses enjoy having their necks gently scratched and stroked. The neck contains areas that when lightly massaged release endorphins, creating pleasurable sensations. Start by softly massaging the areas around the poll, withers, and crest of the neck.
Always approach a horse calmly before attempting to pet its neck region. According to equine behavior research, over 90% of horses display signs of enjoyment when their necks are properly petted and scratched.
Shoulders and Withers
The shoulders and withers are also sensitive regions that horses appreciate having handled. Use slow, soothing motions over the surfaces of the shoulders, avoiding any bony protuberances. Check that the horse is relaxed by observing its body language before gently scratching the withers.
Be cautious not to apply too much pressure, as the withers can easily become sore. Pay attention to how the horse responds, and stick to light touches in this general vicinity.
Hindquarters and Hip
While horses’ hindquarters may not initially seem an intuitive place for petting, the hips, croup, and area around the tailhead do enjoy gentle attention. Always exercise care when reaching around a horse’s rear end regions.
Standing at the animal’s shoulder and reaching cautiously back to massage the hip allows safer access. Use mild pressure and stable rubbing motions over the broad fleshy areas around the croup, taking periodic breaks to ensure the horse remains peaceful.
Avoid making sudden movements, shouting noises or touching sensitive regions like the anus or vulva.
Petting Etiquette Around Horses
Let Them Sniff First
When approaching a horse to pet, it is important to let the animal sniff your hand first before making contact. Horses have excellent senses of smell and allowing them to become familiar with your scent helps them feel more at ease.
Slowly extend your hand palm down and flat toward their nose so they can investigate in their own time. Most horses should show interest in sniffing your hand, which signals their permission to proceed.
According to experts at organizations like the Humane Society and ASPCA, if a horse turns away, pins their ears back, or moves away when you extend your hand, you should respect their space and not approach any closer. These are signals that the horse is nervous or uncomfortable.
Pet Gently
Once a horse has finished investigating your hand and seems relaxed, you can gently begin petting their neck, shoulder or shoulder. Always start by softly stroking with the back or flat of your fingers rather than immediately using a scratching motion.
Rubbing in circular motions along their neck or withers is also typically enjoyable for horses.
A report published by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in 2022 analyzed areas that horses preferred to be touched. Based on sensors placed on horses’ bodies, the team found that most horses responded positively to light stroking motions rather than repetitive tapping or deeper pressure.
Therefore a soft touch is best when interacting with these large animals.
Stop If They Show Signs of Discomfort
While petting a horse, remain alert to the animal’s reactions. If they act restless, move away or pin back their ears, take your hand away and step back to give them more personal space. These are indicators that the horse feels pestered or annoyed, regardless of your intent.
Learn to read equine body language and always respect what the horse communicates.
The average full-grown horse weighs over 1,000 pounds, meaning even an inadvertent nip or bump could injure a human. Heeding horses’ signals to stop petting shows consideration for their consent and helps prevent potential aggression problems before they start.
Furthermore, research compiled by equine veterinarians confirms that horses have regional variations in skin sensation. Areas around the ears and lower legs tend to be more sensitive. Therefore pet the horse’s body rather than extremities, and concentrate on locations like the neck, shoulders and back that typically enjoy human touch.
The Benefits of Petting Horses
Releases ‘Feel Good’ Hormones
Petting and stroking horses releases endorphins in both horses and humans. Endorphins are hormones that make us feel relaxed and happy. Gentle touches and strokes cause horses’ bodies to produce endorphins which give them pleasant feelings.
The same happens in humans when we interact with our equine companions. Running your hands along the soft fur of a horse creates a soothing effect for both you and the animal.
Deepens the Human-Equine Bond
Regularly petting and grooming are key to deepening the relationship and bond between horses and their owners or handlers. The time spent together creates more trust and connection. Horses become more comfortable with human touch and contact over time through positive interactions like gentle stroking or brushing.
An attentive owner can recognize each horse’s unique communication signals and reactions. Similarly, horses learn to interpret human vocal tones and body language.
Useful for Training
Petting is also a useful reward during the training process. Offering gentle praise or an affectionate neck rub when a horse completes a requested behavior positively reinforces the learning. This boosts horses’ confidence and participation in future training.
Similar to clicker training, a pleasant physical interaction serves to mark when the animal has correctly performed a trick or skill asked of them. Over time horses come to equate human touch with feelings of achievement.
Breeds that Enjoy Affection the Most
Arabians
Known for their spirited yet gentle disposition, Arabian horses crave attention and enjoy interacting with their humans. Originating in the Middle East where they formed close bonds with the nomadic Bedouin tribes, Arabians thrive on companionship and affection.
When properly trained, these elegant horses can be handled by even novice riders. With their large expressive eyes and finely chiseled heads, Arabians are particularly responsive to praise, petting, and treats.
Experts recommend spending ample time bonding with an Arabian, as their long memories mean they will return the love and patience tenfold. In fact, the ASPCA notes that the Arabian’s mild temperament and love of people make them excellent therapy horses.
Morgans
Developed in Vermont in the late 18th century, the Morgan horse is renowned for its versatility, strength, and gentle nature. Morgans have an uncanny ability to connect with their human handlers, displaying patience and eagerness to please.
Whether being groomed, tacked up, or ridden, Morgans thrive on personal attention. A scratch on the withers, a pat on the neck, or a nuzzle on the nose is always appreciated. According to the American Morgan Horse Association, this medium-sized breed was bred to be a family horse, prized for its sound mind and solid temperament.
While spirited enough for an invigorating ride, Morgans are equally content with a lazy trail ride or leisurely grooming session with their favorite human.
Quarter Horses
With their stocky build and amicable personality, Quarter Horses are one of the most popular horse breeds in the United States. Descended from English Thoroughbreds crossed with sturdy colonial work horses, Quarter Horses were bred to be versatile ranch mounts.
This foundation infused them with a steady temperament and an enjoyment of human company. According to the American Quarter Horse Association, this breed loves personal attention and thrives when handled regularly.
A kind word, a brush over the coat, or a nuzzle on the nose helps Quarter Horses form a special connection with their owners. Some simple ways to bond with a Quarter Horse are taking them on trail rides, playing lively games in the pasture, or just spending quiet grooming time together.
Conclusion
When done properly, most horses do enjoy and even seek out human touch and petting. Knowing their body language, focusing on areas rich in nerve endings, and gently stroking without overstimulation are key to a positive experience.
Petting creates a nurturing environment that releases hormones to make horses feel calm and content. Along with strengthening your bond, it can be a useful training tool when paired with positive reinforcement. Just be sure to let the horse initiate contact first and keep petting soothing.
Ultimately, mutual affection allows both species to thrive.
