nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Sept 24, 2014 13:50:20 GMT
This article came up on FB this morning but I don't know if you can see it if you don't subscribe to The Horse. If not it's regarding patting your horse when you're happy with what it's done. I've seen so many people who pat their horse so hard it's actually a slap and I cringe. They have such sensitive skin and when you can hear the pat from a ways away you know it was too hard and was a punishment rather than the reward it was supposed to be. So many people do the wrong thing without even realizing it and then the horse has issues and they can't figure out why.
www.thehorse.com/articles/34596/do-horses-actually-enjoy-pats-after-a-winning-ride |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 24, 2014 14:04:27 GMT
That was a great read - thanks for sharing! Oh and I'm not a member of The Horse and was able to read it. I actually shared it on my FB page. I'm sure I have been guilty of this before but will try to keep it in mind in the future.  |
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Sept 24, 2014 16:01:33 GMT
I don't pat a horse. I scratch him or her on the neck. For no reason particular, it is just how I use to.
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Post by diamondgirl on Sept 24, 2014 19:51:27 GMT
I scratch Diamond on the withers if I am riding and on the neck it we are going ground work.
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Post by Shelly on Sept 27, 2014 0:27:13 GMT
My pats are more like gentil pets lol. I feel like there are extremes to this, like almost every thing in the horse world.
I will praise and pet/pat my horse when he does good but I feel as if theres a big difference between that and a slap/pat. I could see how a slap/pat could be confusing for a horse. I know someone who is extremely against patting of any sort because she felt as if the horses couldn't tell the difference. I think they can personally. Horses can read your body language so I'm pretty confident that my horse knows the difference between me patting/petting him as a reward or scolding him with a little smack.
just my thoughts
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Sept 27, 2014 10:58:02 GMT
Horses definitely feel the love from pating. If they don't feel pating, why would they groom eath other then? If touch does not meant to them?
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Sept 27, 2014 13:45:32 GMT
Nice pats, yes, slaps, no. I don't happen to pat my horse, I rub him by his wither. And if he's done something really good I lean forward and hug his neck. Or I get him to turn his head around and I rub his face.
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Post by Shelly on Sept 27, 2014 13:53:53 GMT
yea I never really noticed until now, but I usually rub his neck and give a couple little love pats after doing something good lol. But I only do that under saddle..
oh the little things you do without realizing!
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