Letting a horse close to your face

[JW]

Is letting a horse put his face to yours always a No No? I allow my horse Magic to do this, I also trust him completely. He will put his face right up to me and blow on my face, or he may muzzle me right at my collar bone.

I have noticed that if I'm in the pasture, suddenly there will be a little nose in my ear or a muzzle on top of my head! We have colts, a 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 years. Since they are just babies, I don't know if I should allow it. (I haven't been) I wouldn't want one of them to think I'm a horse playmate and take a nip. Neither of them have ever nipped, but then they are babies and they mouth everything. I gently move their mouths away from me, just mainly because they are so young, and I wouldn't want anything to happen.

Like I say, I let Magic do it, but then Magic is 8 years and we know each other very well.

I've probably answered my own question, but just wondered what others think. I have to admit, I like it when they do it, but if it's a safety issue I continue to push them away.

[honey]

We let ours up close it depends on the horse as you say. horse greet each other by sniffing nose to nose, so this is a natural instinct, but also nipping is instinct too. we have a filly that will sniff you then try asnd take a chunk out of you and its always the face she goes for so you know your own horse.

[Francis Burton]

Whatever you feel comfortable with, JW. There are no hard and fast rules. As long as you acknowledge the possibility that one of your horses might hurt you, most likely accidentally (and not punish them if it was accidental!) - I can see nothing wrong in doing what you do.

[jor]

I teach my foals not to crowd my space, as I dont crowd thiers. As they get older and invite me into thier space I, inturn, invite them into mine which often involves kissing and nuzzling faces/shoulders.
they know when to stop, ie when I ask them to step back, and arent bolshy about it but they, and I, enjoy the close contact.
i do work it on the individual, I kiss and allow my 2yr old to come close to me and put his nose to my face and blow but he is a very gentle, laid back, well handled boy, however there are other two year olds (not my own) I wouldnt let within a million miles of my face!

I am a kisser I must admit, most of my ponies actually freely offer a nose to me for kissing purposes! My stallion adores his kisses and often rests his head on my shoulder for a kiss, cuddle and tickle!

[sooleo]

This is one of those things that I would always advise anyone against doing... but I do it myself!! Do as I say and not as I do I am afraid!!

We have a very close relationship with both our boys and the risk is calculated and minimal. It is a new thing for our youngster but he has now gone past the nipping stage and is as trustworthy as the cob. As a teenager I had a TB who took polo mints from my lips... but we had to play that game in secret as it was very frowned upon.

It is a risk, there is no doubt about that, but with some horses you just know that you will be safe whilst others either need to grow up or it would be wiser never to play this game at all.

Be careful OP... there are too many accidents.

[Yann]

It's another don't do this at home topic ;D I don't see a problem with it so long as you know and can trust the horse and that it's you instigating the closeness. I've spent many a beautiful moment with my horse, I think it can be an important part of your relationship with them

[JW]

I agree with all of you! I know Magic loves his kisses, and I trust him 100%. The boys are still so young, but for their age are very quiet and kind. I do like to blow into their nostrils when they put their faces up to me. Don't know why, but they seem to enjoy it. Isn't this how they say "hello" to each other?

Knowing me, I'll still continue it to a degree, but I'll be careful....

[Francis Burton]

sooleo said:

As a teenager I had a TB who took polo mints from my lips... but we had to play that game in secret as it was very frowned upon.

Quite right too! lol ;D I remember the BHS outrage when Barbara Woodhouse was seen on TV to give sugar lumps by mouth to horses- almost entirely justified in my opinion.

[woolly]

Yann is so right about this being another don't do this at home topic ;D ;D ;D

I give mine kisses and cuddles. I know mine well, but of course, accidents can happen any time and place.

I think maybe the difference is, a horse shouldn't generally be allowed to shove its head in your face uninvited.

[KoLaTo]

Ooo, my lickle welshie tries to suck my daughters chin and no i am not joking! He starts by pushing her and pulling her hair to try and make her turn round and then he licks her cheeks and moves to her chin and tries to suck it! I nearly had kittens when i saw what he was trying to do the first time and shouted at her to move him away but since then, he keeps on at her to lick her face and rub his cheek on hers. He never does it to me, he will sniff my face but has never tried to lick me so perhaps daughter tastes good? He also likes his top gum to be rubbed, i first thought he had teeth problems but they are all fine, he just likes his mouth being touched!

I wouldnt' trust my mare to go anywhere near my face thou, she likes a good nip and is constantly being told off for pulling my hair when i am trying to brush her!

[breezeocean4tray]

On the very rare occassions i wear make up when im with the girls Ocean will lick my face all over.....she either prefers me au natural, or likes the taste of it......

Breeze and Ocean r both allowed near my face, i kiss them all the time, they r my horses and i trust them implicity....

I think u need to use ur own judgement when being around any horse. If im saying Hi to a horse for the 1st few times, i offer my hand and keep an eye on how they behave around me... and then i take it from there....

Theres a young 3yr old T/B mare, just come on our yard, she is a real sweet heart. I offered her my hand, and she nuzzled it so gentle, never once did i feel any teeth. With-in a very short space of time she was allowed near my face.....

If u r a bit unsure JW with ur youngsters, i would put a head collar on them with lead rope, then hold on to it and offer ur hand then gradually allow them in closer under control. I think this helps so much with manners and respect......
Obviously if they r galloping about and in a very excited mood, then leave it till they have calmed down.....

Good Luck and be safe JW...Lv Tray xx

[jen1]

well i have 1 that rests his chin on my head whan im just hanging out with em,one who
has to check me out to see if its truly his luverli mummy ,and grooms mi back,one who just wants reasurance and the foal just wants me to play,they all know when i want em out of my way, i just start doing my turky impression and flap mi elbows,i must look nuts but it works you do what you feel ok with,when im still they are intersted in me, when i move they usually
get on with there own thing

[BuckSkinBabe]

Like others said, I think it depends on the horse. My arab Fawn I know I can trust close to my face. Buddy on the other hand can get a little nippy sometimes, so I kiss him on the face and let him near my face only when he has a halter on because he is much more polite that way.

[gem]

I taught Sky to kiss i'm afraid, Holly doesnt like me too which grieves me so I think if you trust them go ahed, we let Boots the foal kiss mind you she was never nippy!

[jestersmum]

mellie kisses on command but i'd never do it with a horse i didnt know - i like my nose where it is!