Halter Rubs On Horses? Best 173 Answer

If your horse regularly wears a fly rug, stable rug or rug, you may be familiar with unsightly rubbing of the rug. If the blanket rubs on your horse, it can be more than a cosmetic problem; rubbing the blanket can be painful to the touch and cause muscle stiffness. Read on to learn how to combat ceiling friction.

What are blanket rubs?

Simply put, rug rubs are patches of bare skin or short hair caused by the rug rubbing against your horse’s coat. Rubbing the blanket vigorously can even lead to open sores or weeping sores. They are usually located at your horse’s shoulder and at the edges of the blanket (e.g. at the withers or chest). However, rubbing on the rug can occur anywhere your horse comes into contact with his rug.

Often an ill-fitting rug is the culprit when it comes to rug rubbing, although some horses with sensitive skin are extremely prone to rubbing and may need extra help to avoid rubbing.

The right fit

The best way to treat blanket rubs is to prevent them in the first place. The best protection against pressure point abrasion is a well-fitting blanket. Look for a rug that fits your horse well, especially around the chest and shoulders. A rug that is too small will pinch the shoulders, while a rug that is too large will slip behind the withers and put undue pressure on the chest.

Different rug brands and cuts fit differently, so it is imperative that you evaluate the fit of any rug you try on your horse, regardless of whether it is the correct size. Learn more about choosing the right rug size for your horse in our blog post Understanding Horse Rugs. Certain cuts, such as B. Quarter Horse rugs may be wider at the shoulders to accommodate stock horse breeds.

Before each new rug season, assess the fit of your horse or pony’s rug or sheet. Taking a few minutes to assess your horse’s blanket regime is the first step in making sure your horse isn’t rubbing and chafing on the blanket.

A slippery slope

With many blanket rubs, excessive friction or pressure is the primary cause. Some rugs even come with an inner layer of nylon to prevent chafing. A simple way to eliminate friction and help your blanket slide over your horse’s coat is to liberally spray your horse’s coat with a grooming product. Coat Shine and Polish products keep your horse’s coat smooth and sleek, which allows the blanket to move easily over the hair. These conditioning products also promote a healthy skin and coat, which is another layer of defense!

As an added benefit, many horse grooming products also prevent static electricity, which can potentially cause painful static discharge when you remove your horse’s rug. One of our co-workers had wonderful results using a fly spray to condition the coat; Learn more about her experience by reading her review of Equiderma Neem & Aloe Fly Spray for Static Control.

Undercover protection

If your horse is prone to chest and shoulder rubs, a shoulder guard will provide a buffer against rubbing and chafing. These thin Lycra pads hug your horse’s shoulders to protect your horse’s shoulder and chest without affecting the fit of the rug. The snug fit and smooth fabric allows your horse’s rug to move smoothly across your horse’s chest as another line of protection against chafing.

treat rubbing

As soon as you notice the blanket rubbing against your horse, it’s time to take action. The faster you act, the faster they heal and the less damage they deal. Immediately assess the fit of the blanket; A rug that fits well at the start of winter may not fit as well if your horse gains weight or loses muscle throughout the season.

The frictions give you clues as to where the friction is occurring. If the rubs are under the chest buckles, consider a closed front blanket or a blanket with an alternative closure system. Blanket bibs, like the Equifit Blanket bib, help relieve the pressure of the buckles on your horse’s chest and prevent the blanket buckles from pinching. If your horse suffers from wither pain, look for a high neck blanket that extends up to your horse’s neck.

In addition to addressing the site of the rubbing and potentially changing your horse’s blanket routine, you must also treat the area to promote hair growth and skin health. We recommend using a gentle antiseptic solution that can soothe your horse’s skin, such as B. EQyss Micro-Tek Spray, which promotes wound healing and stimulates hair growth. It is recommended that you also fit your horse with a shoulder guard so that your horse is protected from new rubs while you treat the existing ones.

Every horse is an individual and there are countless reasons why it can suffer from blanket rubbing. Our experienced sales staff is always available to help you troubleshoot your horse’s blanket rubs and prevent them from happening in the future. If you have a unique way to combat ceiling friction, we’d love to hear about it! Leave your ceiling tips in the comments below.

When horses emerge from under their winter blankets in early spring, their coats may show an accumulation of scuffs that make them look a bit moth-eaten. This is usually a temporary cosmetic issue unless abrasions under the saddle or spur areas persist into spring or reappear in summer.

Horses that don’t get coat abrasions in the summer will still get bald spots in the winter. Winter fur hair is simply more brittle. Additionally, coat health is generally much more difficult to maintain during the winter.

Bacteria collect under blankets that are not washed often or at all throughout the winter. Coats are rarely fully exposed to fresh air and the sun’s germicidal rays. Horses that work hard in the winter don’t usually get a full body wash with soap and warm water, allowing dirt, germs and salt to build up in the coat. Grooming that can remove dirt and stimulate blood circulation is often not as thorough when it’s cold in the barn.

If the fur is even slightly irritated under these conditions, patches of hair will fall out, sometimes suddenly and in quite an alarming way. Depending on your location, you can deal with hair loss differently.

Any area that has both scabs and shedding can benefit from a thorough grooming and light application of a mild germ-fighting product before putting your horse up after work. The liniment you probably already have in your saddle box should do the trick. If the scab persists for more than a day or two, you need a thorough cleaning with a product designed for that specific purpose.

The most effective hair restoration product we’ve seen over the years is Mega-Tek (EQyss, www.eqyss.com, 800-526-7469). Wash it off five minutes after application. You can leave it on without rinsing if you only use a small amount and massage it well into the skin.

Be careful with products you apply in winter, as sweat or bathing will not remove them. A build-up of product can easily occur, making the rubbing worse rather than better.

Under the saddle: In the event of uneven hair loss, be sure to check the seat of the saddle. If the spots are even, not too large, and the skin is not sensitive, they are more likely to be due to breakage of brittle winter hair.

Curry the back area thoroughly every day. Before riding, apply a small amount of coat polish such as ShowSheen (WF Young, www.absorbine.com, 800-628-9653) to the rubbed area to help your pad glide and not rub. Apply the polish to your hand instead of spraying it directly onto the horse so the general saddle area doesn’t get slippery.

Pads with waffle weave, which allow sweaty backs to dry easily in summer, can be harsh and irritating in winter, as can pads with exposed seams or seams. The fabric softener or detergent you use to wash your clothes can also cause irritation.

The coat on your horse’s back will stay cleaner if you place a cotton sheet under his blanket. The sheet can be washed more easily and more often than a heavy blanket.

Spur area: Friction in the spur area can of course also be caused by unsafe and overstressed leg aids. Always consider horse riding first for any friction in this area.

A common cause of irritation in the spur area, especially in winter, is a noticeable crease in the rider’s boots or chaps, especially suede chaps.

Boots and chaps should be thoroughly cleaned in this area. You can even toss suede chaps with a leather washing product in the washing machine. air dried. When they are almost dry rub them thoroughly with a leather softener or even hand cream to make the creases lose their firmness.

A mildly irritated summer spur spot can be remedied by applying a thin coat of petroleum jelly such as Vasoline to the area before riding to help the spur slide over the area. However, in winter, vasoline can accumulate on the coat and also on the chaps. A better “glide” solution in winter is to apply ShowSheen before riding.

Spurs that have any type of rowel can get caught in long winter coats. The hair then breaks off or even falls out.

Blanket Rubbing: The easiest way to avoid blanket rubbing is to make sure the blankets are long enough. Shoulder rubs are caused by blankets catching on the hips when the horse stretches to feed. If rubbing occurs, blanket pads can help, as can stimulating the coat by currying and applying Mega-Tek.

Strap/Buckle Areas: Winter abrasion often occurs under bridle buckles, in the middle of the neck where the reins rub, and along the girth. Wash and curry there can help. Watch out for scabs in the belt area. Rub Mega-Tek after riding to protect these areas.

Article by Margaret Freeman, Associate Editor.

For 40 years, WeatherBeeta has followed the brand mission of creating quality, comfortable, innovative and durable protection for horses and dogs. WeatherBeeta is a pioneer in the industry and one of the first to use synthetic materials in horse rugs and dog coats. WeatherBeeta’s experience, technology, design and quality have made us a global brand that horse and dog owners love and trust.

Every horse rug is designed with your horse’s well-being in mind. They are the perfect combination of fashion and functionality; Offer your horse protection for all occasions. Our products are tested to withstand your horse’s sometimes demanding lifestyle. Whether you intend to use a horse rug for extra warmth, protection from inclement weather, or for visibility, WeatherBeeta has an option for everyone.

My horse always gets very bad blanket rubs – do you have any tips on how to prevent this, either by choosing a specific type of blanket or treating the hair/skin? – Jamie R. via Facebook

Although there are numerous different brands of rugs on the market, it can be difficult to find one that fits your horse perfectly and prevents annoying shoulder and wither rubs. From experience I can personally say that I will always go to RAMBO. They are worth their weight in gold and have excellent durability properties. These days I don’t think you need a set of stable (or indoor) rugs as well as turnout rugs. Who has time to change blankets all day these days?!! The quality of many pastures is so high that the horse stays dry and comfortable even in severe wet conditions. Rambo offers blankets in different price ranges, including Rhino and Amigo. These aren’t as durable as Rambo but offer the same excellent fit. So if you are on a tight budget I would still promote this brand and hopefully your horse isn’t a playful one!

If you put a rug on your horse, you should make sure that the shoulder area is not so large that the front fasteners lead to the lower chest area. This type of poor fit allows the rug to ride the horse and become tight in the middle of the chest and above the withers. Not only is this uncomfortable, but this type of movement creates those problematic shoulder rubs. Some rugs come with the withers cut away, which can help on horses with high withers, but there may still be some tightness around the shoulder. I like my blankets to sit well in front of the withers (towards the ears) to avoid rubbing.

You may have one of those horses that no matter what brand you use, always rides back and is therefore prone to shoulder rubs. If that’s the case, here are a few tips to try and prevent losing all that hair:

Try to find blankets that are lined in the front with soft, smooth materials. These cause less friction on the skin.

Apply some type of hair growth product to shoulders daily. My two top choices are: Super Gro – This product can be found at your local Walmart in the ethnic hair care section. Eqyss Mega-Tek Rebuilder – more expensive than Super Gro but great at improving coat, tail and manes.

Once you start covering regularly, use some form of conditioner spray on your shoulders to avoid rubbing. I often spritz Show Sheen on the shoulders to keep the hair smooth.

Fold the front of the chest closures over with a towel or leg wrap. This helps hold the blanket forward and eliminates the pressure points the clasp causes as it retracts.

The towel I used in the following image is a bit long, but hopefully you can see how I attach the towel to get a snug fit.

I hope some of these tips are helpful. stay warm!!

Sweet itch can make a horse miserable. The intense itching can cause it to rub away sections of hair, leaving the skin underneath rough and weeping. If a case is severe enough, the horse may become restless and thin as it spends more time scratching than eating.

Insect hypersensitivity in horses can cause intense, unrelenting itching.

Sweet itch, technically known as equine insect hypersensitivity or insect bite hypersensitivity, is a severe allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects, primarily Culicoides spp. Mosquitoes and midges, but possibly also black flies or deer flies. Sweet itch reactions can occur anywhere on a horse’s body, but are usually seen in places where the insects tend to sting: on the underside of the abdomen, under the mane or at the base of the tail.

The condition is usually worst during the seasons when insects are most active and may subside in winter. Less than 10 percent of horses in the United States develop sweet itch, and most don’t show any signs until they are at least 2 to 4 years old. The condition is more common in Shires, Welsh ponies and horses imported from Iceland, but can occur in any breed.

Click here to read more about spring skin problems in horses.

Research is currently being carried out into the development of a reliable immunotherapy against summer eczema. In the meantime, veterinarians may prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids to reduce signs of the condition. But steroids carry a small but real risk of serious side effects, including laminitis. So if your horse is prone to sweet itch, you should reduce his exposure to the insects that cause it. Here are steps you can take:

1. Stabilize your horse during peak biting times.

Culicoides spp. are most active at dusk and dawn, so get your horse stalled during those hours. For added protection, install ultra-fine grilles in stable windows and set up fans to create a continuous breeze over the stable horses. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and even a light breeze keeps them away. You may also consider applying a spray repellent designed for use on stall walls and other surfaces around the stall.

2. Keep your horse covered.

One way to reduce bites is to provide your horse with a fly rug during insect season. The clothing, which was specially developed for horses with summer eczema, consists of finely woven fabric and is equipped with fasteners to keep bugs out. are most likely to bite. A fine mesh mask may also be required to protect the horse’s face and ears.

3. Use fly control products.

The most effective products combine repellents with pesticides. Look for ones that are labeled for use against mosquitoes and mosquitoes. You must apply the sprays and wipes as often as the manufacturer’s instructions allow.

4. Restrict your herd’s access to swampy areas.

Mosquitoes breed in swampy, shady soils with decaying vegetation. If possible, move your horse to a pasture in a drier, more exposed location, away from swampy terrain. Clean up standing water in ditches and gutters around your barn and keep it free of leaves and other debris. Place manure and compost heaps as far away from the horses as possible.

5. Try over-the-counter products.

You’ll find a range of products for horses with sweet itch, from supplements to reduce inflammation to topical preparations to relieve itchy, inflamed skin. Thick, oily, or sticky ointments are messier, but can prevent mosquitoes from landing on the horse’s skin. They can also help deter insects from biting your skin. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these products provide some relief in at least some horses. When trying a new topical product, start by applying it to a small area to ensure it doesn’t further irritate sensitive skin. Be careful with tea tree oil, lavender and other herbs – they have a calming effect on some horses but can irritate the skin of others.

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In focus: sweet itch

Definition: Sweet itch, technically known as Equine Insect Hypersensitivity (EIH), is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects, most commonly the Culicoides species of mosquitoes and mosquitoes.

Signs: Severe itching, wheals and swelling, especially on the neck (under the mane), face, shoulders, withers, abdomen and rump (above the tail). The skin can be rubbed until it is crusted, weeping, rough and hairless. The location of the lesions may depend on the specific mosquito species; most prefer to bite the neck and along the topline, but some will target the chest, abdomen, tail, and groin.

Diagnosis: Skin scrapings and cultures may be needed to distinguish EIH from other causes of pruritic dermatitis such as mites, lice, and fungal infections.

Treatment: Antihistamines or corticosteroids can help reduce the itching and inflammation and provide relief to the itchy horse; Antibiotics or antimicrobial shampoos can help prevent secondary infections. Pentoxifylline can be used to reduce skin reactivity and in some cases an allergy serum is worth trying.

This article first appeared in EQUUS Issue #452, May 2015.

Saddle galls and sores can occur for a number of reasons. Most are minor, but if left untreated they can cause injury, scarring, and discomfort. This is how you recognize, treat and prevent saddle galls and saddle sores.

other names

Girth Galls, Saddle Sores, Blisters, Girth Sores, Pressure Sores, Saddle Galls, Harness Sores, Harness Galls

causes

Belt buckles, saddle sores, and sores that occur under a driving harness are caused by friction. They are similar to a blister that forms from wearing ill-fitting shoes. The sores can be caused by soiled bridles with a buildup of dirt and sweat grinding the dirt into the horse’s skin. A tack that is too tight or stiff and inflexible can cause chafing that can lead to saddle sores. Occasionally a foreign object such as a burr, awn or wood shaving can get lodged between the bridle and the horse and cause chafing. Some horses with sensitive skin are prone to saddle and girth sores and require special care.

symptoms

Saddle wasting and girth galls can show up as slight chafing where only the hair is missing, or as severely inflamed, open, blistering sores. The hair may not be rubbed off, and the gall or sore may show up as a swollen lump under the skin—much like an unruptured blister on your foot. The lump can be tiny or quite large. Girth galls usually form just behind the horse’s elbow in the girth area, but can occur anywhere the girth or girth lies. Very severe saddle wounds can create deep “holes” that can become infected. Left untreated, permanent damage and scarring can occur to the skin and underlying muscles. Saddle sores can form anywhere the saddle sits, although they most commonly form under the cantle area or just under the pommel area near the loins and withers.

Bob Langrish/Getty Images

treatment

For an open wound, swab the wound and the area around it with saline and cover with a soothing ointment or cream. Many people like creams or lotions containing calendula or aloe vera. Purple gentian spray can also be used. Please consult your veterinarian for the most appropriate recommendation for your horse. The main goal is to keep the area clean and the skin in good condition. Diaper cream or zinc oxide cream can also help heal and soothe.

Galls or sores that appear as swellings under the skin may remain. Whether open or closed, no equipment should be placed over the area until it is healed. Your horse will be uncomfortable wearing a girth, harness or saddle over an area that is already sore. (Your horse may express discomfort by misbehaving.)

CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

prevention

Keep your saddle clean. A build-up of sweat and sand can irritate a horse’s skin and cause sores. When trail riding, twigs, burrs, seeds or other foreign objects can get caught between the horse and the bridle. Leather and sinew straps or webbing can become stiff with age, causing uneven rubbing or pinching. Therefore, check the condition of your bridle regularly.

Grooming is very important to prevent wounds. For example, if your horse “pecks” at his chest area to bite flies, he may cover the area between his front legs with saliva and bits of chewed hay. You need to clean this area carefully so dirt can’t build up and possibly cause a wound. Since dirt can cake, use water and a sponge to wash the area before tacking and apply a spritz of conditioning spray to make the job easier next time.

Make sure your bridle fits your horse. If your saddle is constantly rubbing back and forth while you ride, this could indicate an ill-fitting saddle. A strap or harness that is too narrow or too wide can also cause problems.

A lot of people think that getting straps, straps, and straps on harnesses really tight is a good thing. This could lead to bruises. You should be able to slip your hand between the girth and your horse. If your saddle pad or blanket is bulging or shifting, try a different shape or material. Often a shift pad or blanket will indicate an ill-fitting saddle. A soft strap or cinch cover can also prevent chafing.

Mint Images / Getty Images

Prevention in horses with sensitive skin

Despite your best efforts to prevent saddle galls and sores, sometimes you find you can’t prevent them. This happens in horses with particularly sensitive and thin skin. This problem is common in Thoroughbreds and other fine-coated horses. Just like breaking in a new pair of stiff running shoes that cause blisters on your feet, you need to get your horse used to his equipment. Some people suggest washing the blister-prone areas with salt water to tighten the skin. Another strategy is to gradually increase the amount of time the horse is ridden or driven to give the skin a chance to harden.

Fluffy girths or cinch covers can be purchased to create a soft barrier between the horse and the bridle. Pads can help the saddle fit better, but it’s a bit like wearing thick socks in new shoes: the pad can temporarily alleviate the problem. However, it is important that the saddle fits the particular horse or it may need to be re-padded if it is an English saddle.

Security & Recommendations

Here at B&H we do not leave halters on our horses when they are loose in a pen or pasture. Furthermore, we do not in any way recommend our customers to use halters in this way. B and H Rope Halters strongly recommend that our halters are used for training purposes only and removed after your training session is complete. We also think that leaving your horses roaming free is very dangerous and can sometimes be fatal. Any halter can get caught on a fence post, tree, bolt or screw, among other things. When a halter snags on something, a horse’s first reaction is to pull until it is free, which can often result in injury or death. We have seen more than one horse over the years pull this hard when catching his/her halter on something, dying from a broken neck and/or internal injuries. Horses sometimes rub or scrape their neck or face with their hind foot and can catch their foot in the halter, which can result in injury or even death. Please do not use rope halters in bow ties as they are not intended to be used in this manner. Keep your horses responsible and teach your horses to be easy to catch for you and for their sake. Remember that an accident like this only lasts a second and the heartache it causes an owner can last a lifetime. We also strongly recommend using The Clip or Blocker Tie Ring when tying your horses inside a trailer, outside the trailer, to a hitch post etc. If you are using one of these wonderful devices and your horse panics when being tied up, it is relieved when the rope slides through the device. When a horse feels this relief, it usually stops pulling on the rope.

Boot rubbing in horses is a common problem for equestrian athletes. Prevention is key to keeping these amazing animals happy, healthy and comfortable. If you show horses, you probably use horseshoes. Sports medicine boots, bell boots, splint boots, polo wraps, skid boots, transport boots, you name it, most riders have used it. Many horses have no problem wearing these, it’s as simple as putting them on, riding them and quickly brushing them off when they’re done. However, other horses don’t have it as easy, as their owners will tell you. No, those other horses, poor souls, are prone to painful boot rubs just because of their sensitive skin. Boot friction in horses typically has two causes. Just as halter, blanket or harness rubbing can come from an ill-fitting piece of gear, boots that are not the right size can irritate the skin and cause chafing. Unfortunately, many riders find a pair of boots that fit their horse like a glove, but to their frustration, they pull them off to reveal pink or red patches where the hair is worn and the skin is swollen. It’s a double-edged sword, you need to protect your horse’s legs but you’re causing him discomfort in the process. Gaiters are key to protecting the legs, pasterns, heels and hooves during periods of intense exercise and work. People have tried a few methods to prevent boot rubbing, the most common method is baby powder, but a recent debate has many people wondering whether they should use baby powder at all. A common ingredient in most of these products is talcum powder, which absorbs moisture and reduces friction. However, lawsuits have recently surfaced linking the use of talcum powder products to cancer. It’s a scary thought that a product we’ve been using for so long could cause a potentially fatal disease. Where does this connection come from? According to the American Cancer Society: “When discussing whether or not talcum powder has been linked to cancer, it is important to distinguish between asbestos-containing and non-asbestos talc. Talc containing asbestos is generally considered carcinogenic if inhaled. This type of talc is not used in modern consumer products. The evidence for asbestos-free talc, which is still in widespread use, is less clear.” The research is ongoing, but people have been rocked by this latest discovery. For many, it’s not worth the risk, and for good reason. Which brings us back to horse boot rubs. Is it worth the risk of giving our horse a potentially harmful substance? Or should we risk dealing with it day after day? The jury is still out, but why not play it safe? At COAT DEFENSE® we are aware of these potentially harmful products and therefore would never use talcum powder in our products. Instead, we have a safe, proven alternative…cornstarch! Along with our other all-natural, non-toxic and organic ingredients, we have created a solution for horse boot rubs. It’s our COAT DEFENSE® daily PREVENTATIVE POWDER, a safe and effective solution to a variety of equine skin problems. Want to see how it works for yourself? Watch below how Victoria keeps boots from chafing with COAT DEFENSE® daily PREVENTATIVE POWDER… It’s that simple. Sprinkle on your boots, wrap and ride. The same applies to rubbing on the halter, blanket, withers or other irritated areas. We all seem to spend more time tending to our horses than riding them and we don’t mind it, but every little time saving helps. Instead of constantly fighting, cleaning, and trying to heal friction, prevent it. Save the precious time you would spend treating the problem, take a few seconds before each ride to avoid boot rubbing on your horse, and use those saved minutes to go on a longer ride. Get your COAT DEFENSE® daily PREVENTATIVE POWDER, get out and ride!

The tuft of long chestnut hair on the stable wall was a mystery until you saw the tip of your horse’s tail. He rubbed it raw on the wall, but why? The simple answer is “it’s itchy,” but to find a solution, you need to do some research. A systematic examination of his hindquarters can usually reveal the problem.

A horse may rub its tail for a variety of reasons, from worms to bugs to a new grooming product.

First look for signs of pinworms. These parasites, which emerge from a horse’s anus to lay eggs on sensitive skin nearby, have recently seen a resurgence in North America. The eggs trigger an itch that helps spread them around as the horse rubs against fence posts and trees. The eggs may be visible as small, white plaques around the anus. Your vet can also check for invisible eggs by placing a piece of clear tape on the area, removing it, and then examining it under a microscope.

If you suspect your horse has pinworms, call your veterinarian before beginning treatment. You should make sure you choose a dewormer that is effective against this parasite in your geographic area.

Next, examine the tail itself. Separate the hair to check the skin along the tailbone and lift to examine the underside as well. They look for things that might cause itching, such as B. Tick bites or other irritations. Removing all ticks and treating the bite site with a topical corticosteroid should relieve the problem. If tail skin irritation is widespread, your horse may have contact dermatitis – consider whether you’ve used new bathing or grooming products, or maybe he’s been brushing something new in his area. Limit his exposure to each suspected abuser and see if the cock rubbing stops.

Finally, if the tail itself looks good, check between the hind legs forward to the vagina or udder area. This is a prime feeding spot for tiny Culicoides mosquitoes, which can trigger an allergic reaction known as the “sweet itch.” These insects also feed along the ridge, so affected horses may also rub their necks. You’ll know they’re the culprit when you find inflamed, muddy, crusted skin and your horse seems exceptionally grateful when you scratch the spot. Controlling sweet itch can be difficult, but keeping the horse indoors at dawn and dusk, when the insects are most active, is a good first step. Severely affected horses may benefit from systemic injections of corticosteroids.

This article first appeared in EQUUS Issue #469,

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Horses are social animals and generally enjoy the company of others. They often form close bonds with their owners.

After spending time together, your horse often shows affection for you. There are many different ways to tell if a horse likes you.

Here are 8 signs a horse likes and trusts you

1. They come to greet you

If a horse likes you, it will often greet you when it hears you coming. They can run to the fence or wait longingly for you at their stable door.

When a horse is dying to say hello to you, it’s his way of showing he likes you. When they come to greet you, they look forward to spending time with you.

2. They nod or whinny for you

Horses often whinny and whinny to people they are familiar with. They often vocalize with a whinny or nod when trying to get the attention of other horses or humans.

If your horse nods when he hears you coming, he is looking forward to seeing you. Nickering is a way for them to greet you as someone they care about.

3. They lay their head on you

When a horse lays his head on you, it’s a sign of trust. They are comfortable around you and like you enough to lay their head on you.

When a horse lays its head on you, it’s a way for it to bond with you and show affection. They let you know that they enjoy being around you. It’s like her way of giving a hug.

4. They nudge you

Although a nudge can mean other things, it is often associated with a horse showing affection towards you. Poking can be the equivalent of a horse hugging or kissing you.

If a horse likes you, it will often nudge you to get your attention. Gentle nudges can be a way for a horse to show love for you. They mean that in addition to their nudge, they will even lick or lip you.

5. They are relaxed around you

When a horse is relaxed around you, it is a sign that they like and trust you. When you see your horse relaxed with you, it shows that he feels safe with you.

Signs that your horse is relaxed around you include things like licking and chewing, bowing his head, letting out a sigh, and cocking his hind leg.

A horse that trusts you will be comfortable enough to relax around you.

When a horse lets you get close to him while lying down, that’s a real show of trust. Horses are vulnerable when lying down. So if they let you come to them lying down, they have a lot of trust and love for you.

6. They groom you back

Grooming is one of the best ways to bond with your horse. When your horse brushes you back, it sees you as a friend.

Horses grooming themselves in the wild not only because it feels good to them, but also because it’s a way to show affection for one another. They will nibble at each other’s withers, back, and neck.

When your horse nibbles on your shoulder or head, it is his way of grooming you. This is a way for them to show you that they like you.

Also check out our guide to the best horse grooming kits.

7. They show you respect

With horses, respect is a sign of trust. If your horse likes you and trusts you, it will respect you.

A horse that trusts you will see you as a leader. They will respect your space and your orders. A horse that likes you will be happy to follow you, which is also a sign of respect.

Some horses even follow their owners. When a horse follows you, they trust you to take care of them. This is how they show you their respect.

8. They breathe on your face

When a horse comes up and breathes your face, it’s the ultimate show of respect and trust. Horses show affection by gently blowing air through each other’s nostrils.

When a horse blows in your face, it’s a sign that he sees you as a loyal companion. Horses will breathe in your face when they see you as part of their family.

It’s one of the best ways horses show their affection for loved ones.