communication

Question
Hi, my name is emily i am 17 and i have been riding for almost 7 years. the horse that i used to lease was a 17.2 hand clyd/throughbred mare. I would like to think that we had a bond and a very good relationship but sometimes im not sure. since now she acts like that has never happened..she used to come up to me in the field and press the side of her muzzle up against my face and nicker to me when i came to her stall, and if i didn't hurry and take her out she would nicker louder. She would follow me around in the ring and even trot after me if i ran.she was the best friend that i could have ever asked for. i would like to know why she did those things if it was for treats or the fact that i was there? Her owner took her to another barn and when i went to visit her she was like a completely different horse and it saddened me to know that she didn't really care that i was there or not. so i also want to know what caused the change, and how if i should try to change her back or should i move on?

Answer
Hello Emily,

Sadly, we hurt ourselves much more than we have to when we begin to believe that our horses are like people.  They are not.  They are horses.  The mare came to you because of the treat, not because she was your friend.  But that does not mean that we can't love our horses and play with them and know that they at least appreciate the treats and that we treat them well.  Horses will never be people, and we people with a bigger brain, must understand that and deal with the situation from that viewpoint.  If you wish to continue giving this mare treats because you love her, what is wrong with that?  Sometimes love going one way has to be enough.  But if you do decide to move on, she won't suffer.  A dog might, but not a horse.

Best wishes,
Dorothy