Horses are sensitive and intelligent creatures, and it is important to understand how to read their body language in order to know if they respect you. Building a trusting relationship with a horse is the basis of a successful partnership, and so it is important to know the signs that a horse respects you. Here, we will look at 10 signs that a horse respects you and how you can use these signs to build a strong and trusting bond.
1. They Follow You
One of the most obvious signs that a horse respects you is that they follow you when you move away from them. This is a sign of trust, because the horse is willing to move out of its comfort zone and follow you. Horses will only do this if they feel safe with you and trust you, so if your horse follows you, then it is a good sign of respect.
2. They Listen To You
Another sign that a horse respects you is that they will listen to what you tell them. If you ask your horse to move in a certain direction or to stop, they will respond and obey your commands. This shows that they understand you and that they trust you, which is an important sign that they respect you.
3. They Allow You To Touch Them
Horses can be sensitive creatures, and so they won’t let just anyone touch them. If your horse is comfortable with you touching them, then it is a sign that they respect you. This means that they trust you, and that they feel safe with you.
4. They Let You Catch Them
If your horse respects you, then they will let you catch them. This is a sign that they trust you and that they are willing to come to you when you call them. This can be a difficult thing to do, especially with a wild horse, so if your horse allows you to catch them, then it is a sure sign that they respect you.
5. They Respect Your Personal Space
Horses are aware of body language and are sensitive to the space around them. If your horse respects you, then they will not invade your personal space and will give you plenty of room. This is a sign that they understand your boundaries and that they are comfortable with you.
6. They Respect Your Authority
Horses are sensitive to the authority of their handlers, and if your horse respects you, then they will acknowledge your authority. This means that they will respond to your commands and will obey your instructions. This is a sign that they trust you and that they understand your leadership.
7. They Are Relaxed Around You
Horses will often act differently around people they don’t trust, and so if your horse is relaxed and calm around you, then it is a sign that they respect you. This means that they are comfortable with you and that they understand your presence.
8. They Show Affection
Horses are affectionate creatures, and if your horse shows you affection, then it is a sure sign that they respect you. This could be in the form of nuzzling, or even allowing you to groom them. If your horse is willing to show you affection, then it is a sign that they trust you and that they feel comfortable with you.
9. They Are Patient With You
Horses can be impatient with people they don’t trust, so if your horse is patient with you, then it is a sign of respect. This means that they understand you and that they trust you enough to wait for you to make a decision.
10. They Show Curiosity
Finally, horses are naturally curious creatures, and if your horse is curious around you, then it is a sign that they respect you. This means that they are comfortable enough to explore their environment with you and that they are willing to trust you.
Conclusion
Building a trusting relationship with a horse is an important part of horsemanship, and so it is important to know the signs that a horse respects you. In this article, we have looked at 10 signs that a horse respects you, such as following you, listening to you, allowing you to touch them, respecting your personal space and showing affection. If you see these signs in your horse, then it is a sure sign that they respect you and that they trust you.
Ultimately, understanding the signs that a horse respects you is an important part of building a successful partnership. If you can recognise these signs in your horse, then you can use them to build a strong and trusting bond, which is the basis of a successful partnership.