Why Does My Horse Dislike My Friend?
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I have an 8-year-old quarter horse gelding. He is a pretty friendly horse, and usually gentle. But when I take him to visit a particular friend, my horse always seems kind of mean toward him, like he dislikes my friend. One time he appeared to be trying to hit my friend in the face by tossing his head around. He has never done that to anyone else. Another time, my horse was pushing my friend around when I was riding him. Do you think my horse really does not like him? Why wouldn't my horse like him? What should I do?
- Erica
Erica, I am not convinced that the behavior you are observing with your gelding means he does not care for your friend. Rather, it sounds like he is signaling to your friend to give him something—the head tossing and pushing you describe are behaviors often observed when a horse is soliciting food or attention from a person or other horse. To eliminate the behavior, your friend should be sure to only give food or attention when your horse stands politely.