Animal lovers are not always loved by animals. No matter how much enthusiasm you show, animals have their own feelings and can have likes and dislikes towards humans.
If you are into horseback riding, it’s natural to want to ‘get along with horses’ or ‘be liked by horses.’ While compatibility with a horse varies, whether a person is naturally liked by horses can greatly influence their behavior and attitude of the horse.
So, what kind of people are horses fond of? In this article, we will explore the nature of horses and the characteristics of people animals tend to like.
Understand a horse’s nature to win their affection
When trying to get close to someone, you start by learning about them. You may have also tried to improve your chances by aligning your personal traits with those they prefer.
To become friends with a horse, understanding and appreciating the horse’s nature is essential. Let’s start with understanding a horse’s characteristics.
Horses often seen in racing events are vigorous and sometimes lively, but fundamentally, horses are gentle and calm animals. They are usually friendly toward humans and do not have aggressive tendencies. However, because they are sensitive, frightening them can sometimes cause them to act out violently.
Horses generally do not bite, but if they have had an unpleasant experience, they can remember the face of the offender and may bite to keep their distance. Horses are quite intelligent and can recognize who are good to them and who are not.
People with calm voices
Horses have excellent hearing and can detect high-frequency sounds beyond human hearing. Loud noises are very distressing for them, causing them to become alert and cautious towards the direction of the sound.
Their ears can rotate 180 degrees and move independently, allowing them to pick up sounds from multiple directions. This ability has evolved to help them detect predators early in the wild.
Horses with keen hearing tend to prefer calm voices. People who shout or make high-pitched noises in front of a horse may appear frightening to them, as it signals a threat.
During riding lessons, speaking in a low, calming voice encourages horses to listen and respond more calmly. To build trust, speaking in a gentle, lower voice is highly effective.
People who act slowly and with composure
Animals tend to prefer calm and steady individuals over those who move around hurriedly. They are highly attuned to detecting danger and tend to respond better to people who behave slowly and confidently.
Similarly, humans with relaxed behavior are often more compatible with horses. Horses are gentle animals, and they tend to feel more secure when their handlers move at a pace that matches their own.
Horses love spending time with people who take their time, brushing, petting, and engaging with them calmly. Approaching horses with a relaxed attitude and giving yourself ample time helps build trust and rapport.
When preparing for riding lessons, avoid rushing and instead take your time to ensure the horse is comfortable. Showing patience and calmness communicates respect and positive intentions.
Horses can sense emotions and feelings, even without words. If you want a horse to like you, approach them with patience, calmness, and a generous heart.
Looking into a horse’s eyes
Communicating with a horse without words requires perceiving their mood, actions, and facial expressions. One effective way to facilitate mutual understanding is making eye contact with the horse. When you meet the horse’s gaze, it becomes easier to convey your intentions.
Some animals interpret eye contact as a threat, so it is important to be aware of the horse’s reactions. Making eye contact in a respectful way can help you gain the horse’s trust and make interactions smoother. Horses have excellent eyesight with around 0.6-0.8 vision and a wide 350-degree field of view, so unexpected touches when they are not paying attention can startle them.
Those who can look a horse in the eye and then gently touch or interact with it are perceived as trustworthy by the horse. Making eye contact shows caring and can foster mutual affection.
Summary
How was it?
Building a good relationship with a horse requires understanding it well. In human relationships, knowing the other person helps you figure out how to interact. The same applies to horses: understanding each horse’s traits and acting accordingly builds trust and friendship.
If you want to be liked by horses, try to emulate the characteristics of people they tend to like. Most importantly, align yourself with the horse’s pace. Those who can slowly and calmly build a bond with horses are more likely to earn their trust.
Remain calm and communicate your genuine affection for horses. The key is to approach horses with patience and kindness.