Nuzzeling

I haven't really had a lot of interaction with affectionate horses before Tom. I took this video in his paddock and I'm wondering if what he is doing is appropriate. I would really appreciate comments to help me figure this out.

I want to note that I never felt threatened while making this video and there were people around in case something happened. I tried to let Tom do all the work and do as little interacting back as I could. The only time I felt like I needed to touch Tom was when he pushed me, and even then all I had to do was push his chest and he backed off.

Comments appreciated.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Horses
• Horse
• Behavior
• Tom
• Respect
• Disrespect
• Affection
• Love
• Grooming
• Thoroughbred
• Nuzzle
• Natural
• Horsemanship
• Mutual

[tsian530]

Maybe hes just trying to be affectionate.

[PegasusJumper]

Yeah, thats what I thought. I've just read a lot about "respect" and stuff lately and I wasn't sure.

[FrazzleAndTheWolf]

I think it's just affection, you are very lucky to have had this interaction :)

[HorseStallion11]

Nice vid and what Tom was doing when he had his head and he then brushed his head up your body was that he was just scratching his head he probably had an itch cos a different horse did the same thing she is a 15 year old Clysdale horse.

[PurpleTubas]

if all you had to do was push him slightly to back off, im sure he is not trying to be mean in any way, he looks like he wants to be your friend :D

[MAXYAHR1]

Ears scanning but not alert, eyes calm, relaxed posture, slow & easy movement. It's obvious this horse is comfortable with you. Your not a threat to him but neither is he to you. It's a special bond. I think I know why he nudged you. Ever pet a dog then stop and find that the dog paws at you for more attention? I think that's what that was. My experience with horses are they move if they want to or there forced to. If he wasn't being submissive he wouldn't have backed off when you pushed on him

[Darkheart101]

I miss my horse =/

She would follow me everywhere, and she would get so jealous when the other horses were around me and she would push them away. ^___^

but when I moved my step dad over fed her and she got to big and her legs buckled. So he had to kill her. Sooooooooo pissed. >=/

[xmisshowmanx]

aww he wants a cudddlleeee!

[Mewlie]

My horses do this all the time. It's a sign that he's comfortable with you, and he's just making sure you're still the girl he knows and loves. Unless he's biting or jerking is head around too fast, there is no need to punish this behavior. He respects you, but seems to just want to be a bit closer. He forgets that he can push you over easily, that's all.

[Saence]

You did good, when the horse puts his nostrils right by your mouth/nose he was scenting you, havent in the wild or in a pasture youve seen two horses come up to each other and blow and snort into each others nose? Thats what he's doing with you. The pushing was seeing if he was going to be able to be the dominant one and get in your bubble, but you did good by making him back up. Good job.

[JUNAID187]

euw it looks like is kissing that lady