Why Does My Horse Lick Me? By Roxy
My human asked me to write about why horses lick people.
Personally, I think a more important question would be:
Why do humans insist on standing in the middle of the pasture holding tiny rectangles and taking photos of us while we're trying to eat?
But apparently we're talking about licking.
Fair enough.
If you've ever had your horse lick your hand, your arm, your jacket, or that one expensive shirt you didn't want covered in horse slobber, you've probably wondered why.
And if you're like most horse owners, you've immediately jumped to one of two conclusions:
- My horse loves me.
- My horse has completely lost their mind.
The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
Sometimes You're Salty
Let's just start with the obvious one.
Humans are salty.
Literally.
If you've been working outside, sweating, or just finished a ride, you may taste interesting.
And before anyone gets offended, horses investigate things with their mouths all the time.
It's not personal.
You just happened to resemble a mineral block.
We're Curious
Horses are naturally curious creatures.
Well...
Most of us.
Some of us are more committed to napping than investigating things.
Not naming names.
Anyway, horses use their lips and mouths to explore the world.
It's why we sniff things.
Nibble things.
Pick up things we absolutely shouldn't.
Sometimes a lick is simply a horse gathering information.
Like:
"What is this?"
"Should I eat it?"
"Can I play with it?"
"Will it get me into trouble?"
The answer to the last one is usually yes.
Sometimes We Want Attention
Now before you get emotional and start telling everyone your horse is obsessed with you, let's remain calm.
Sometimes licking can be a social behavior.
Horses groom one another.
They interact physically.
They enjoy companionship.
If your horse is relaxed, engaged, and seeking interaction, licking may simply be part of that connection.
Does that mean your horse likes you?
Possibly.
Does it mean your horse thinks you're the most important being in the universe?
Let's not get carried away.
Food May Be Involved
I feel obligated to mention this.
If you routinely arrive with treats, your horse may have developed certain expectations.
For example, when my human shows up, I am always happy to see her.
Very happy.
Particularly if she's carrying cookies.
The fact that cookies are involved is completely unrelated.
Probably.
What About Licking and Health?
Occasionally excessive licking can be associated with boredom, dietary issues, mineral imbalances, or other concerns.
If a horse is suddenly licking everything in sight, including fences, buckets, walls, and unsuspecting humans, it may be worth taking a closer look at their diet and overall management.
Sometimes horses are simply weird.
Sometimes they're trying to tell us something.
Part of being a good horse owner is learning the difference.
The Real Reason I Lick My Human
Honestly?
Usually I'm checking whether she brought snacks.
If she smells like treats, cookies, carrots, apples, or literally anything edible, further investigation is required.
It's not complicated.
Humans tend to overthink these things.
You spend hours discussing horse behavior on the internet.
Meanwhile your horse is standing nearby thinking:
"I licked you because you smelled interesting."
The mystery is often less mysterious than you'd like.
Final Thoughts From a Bay Mare
If your horse licks you occasionally, it's usually nothing to worry about.
They might be curious.
They might like interacting with you.
You might be salty.
You might smell like food.
Or they may simply be conducting important scientific research.
Which is exactly what I tell my human when she catches me licking something I shouldn't.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go investigate a suspicious-looking feed bucket.
For educational purposes.
Obviously.
- Roxy 🐴☀️
"Trust me. If I truly loved you, I'd still expect treats."
Comments
Post a Comment