Signs Your Horse Likes You

1. Voluntary Approach: If your horse comes to you willingly, it’s a clear sign of trust and comfort. They associate you with positive experiences.

2. Relaxed Body Language: A horse that feels safe around you will display a lowered head, soft eyes, and relaxed ears. This calm demeanor shows they are at ease.

3. Following You: When a horse likes you, they may follow you around even when you’re not asking them to. This indicates trust and a strong bond.

4. Affectionate Gestures: Nuzzling, gentle nudges, or resting their head on you, calling for you when they see you, exposing their favorite itchy spots for to scratch are all ways horses show affection. It means they see you as a friend.

5. Responsive to Cues: A horse that likes you will be more responsive to your commands, showing they trust and respect your leadership. They may still get confused, but they are always obviously trying.

Two Signs Your Horse Doesn’t Like You

1. Avoidance: If your horse consistently avoids you, it’s a sign they don’t feel comfortable or safe around you.

2. Aggressive or Defensive Body Language: Pinned ears, swishing tail, or baring teeth indicate discomfort or mistrust.

How to Improve Your Relationship

If your horse avoids you or shows defensive behavior, focus on positive interactions. Spend more time simply being with them without asking for anything—like grooming or just standing nearby. This helps build trust and associate your presence with safety and comfort. Gradually, they may begin to approach you willingly and show more positive body language.

​To go deeper, we've created a 6 Day Challenge for horse lovers like you. It's called the Horse Bonding 6-Day Challenge, and it's designed to help your horse love you.  Click here to take a ride with us. Don