The Biological Component Now we know the horse's left eye responds faster than the right eye, so it makes sense that your horse prefers the left side. Many horseback riders will refer to the left as the "near" side, while the right side is the "off" side. This terminology also reinforced the mindset of the rider.
Why do you always have to mount a horse from the left side? Answer: In ancient warfare, soldiers would traditionally have their sword on the left side. So when they mounted their horse, it was easier to approach from the left.
Mounting and dismounting should be done on the left side of the horse. Using a mounting block to get on helps prevent excessive strain on the horse's back.
Make sure your horse is comfortable with you mounting and dismounting on either side. You never know when you'll encounter a rocky cliff, a mud hole, or other trail hazard. Alternating sides also allows your horse to use muscles on the right and left sides of his spine equally, which helps his back.
So how do you get your horse's respect? A horse's respect is earned by moving his feet forward, backward, left, and right, and always rewarding the slightest try. Think about respect from your horse's point of view. When horses are thrown together out in a pasture, it's natural for them to establish a pecking order.
Always approach your horse by moving assertively, but not aggressively, towards his shoulder. Avoid sending any pushing energy towards his head or neck, as this is offensive to him.
Just as almost every human shows a strong preference for being right-handed or left-handed, a horse is also commonly a little stronger on one side of his body than on the other.
Be sure to stay away from the sensitive areas of the horse like the eyes, ears, muzzle, and belly of the horse. While some horses might be OK with you petting these areas, many are sensitive and won't like to be touched there.
Dominance occurs when a horse forces the other to move against its will. One horse will move its body in the direction of or in contact with the other forcing it to move. Fighting usually occurs when the dominant horse is challenged by the other horse not moving, or responding aggressively.
Horses stomp to indicate irritation. Usually, it's something minor, such as a fly they're trying to dislodge. However, stomping may also indicate your horse is frustrated with something you are doing, and if you don't address it, he may resort to stronger signals.
Dr. Antonio Lanatá and his colleagues at the University of Pisa, Italy, have found that horses can smell fear and happiness. While these are just two emotions the researchers identified, further studies may reveal horses can pick up additional emotions from the body odors humans emit.
Walk towards the horse from the front and at an angle.
Approaching a horse in its blind zone will startle it. If your only choice is to approach from the rear, speak softly so it can hear you coming. You can tell the horse is aware you're there because its ears will face backwards but will still be erect.
The nose, lips, mouth, and possibly the ears are the most sensitive areas to touch. Although hooves do not respond to touching, various parts of the hoof are able to feel touch. Understanding the degree to which horses are sensitive to touch can be valuable to the trainer.
There are a few different ways that horses can deliver a nudge. One is by using their nose to push on you. This can be a way of showing affection or a sign that the horse is impatient and wants you to move out of the way.
If these are signs you see in your horse then it is a lack of respect, the horse is threatening to kick you, and they are trying to be the one that is in control of the situation. But your horse can show a lack of respect more subtly as well.
Give Him a Scratch
A horse looking at you and sniffing you is interested in you and what you are doing. Show him you are his new best friend by giving him a nice scratch. They aren't the kind of animals who much enjoy soft strokes; this probably tickles them more than anything.
A common sign of affection from a horse is if they perk their ears up and softly nicker while moving toward you when they hear your voice. It is their way of greeting you and showing that they are happy to see one of their favorite people.