Walking down the barn aisle, the smell of fresh hay hits your nose. It’s been a busy day, but you’re looking forward to the best part of it: seeing your horse. Your boots make a soft thud as you make eye contact with the familiar pair of eyes and pricked-forward ears. You greet your horse in a slightly higher-than-normal voice, placing a palm out for a sniff. At that moment, all worries disappear – you have reconnected with your beloved animal.
However, this poses the question: Do our horses love and miss us? We spend hours at work or school thinking of them instead of focusing on our tasks. But are those feelings reciprocated?
Below, I take an in-depth look into horses’ emotions and what research says about whether they become attached to humans.
Do Horses Get Emotionally Attached to Their Owners?
When it comes to attachment, research shows horses are emotionally intelligent beings capable of forming real bonds with people. Studies have found that horses can interpret human emotions through facial expressions and body language. They can even mirror our emotions in a phenomenon, called “emotional transfer,” which is well-documented in equine-assisted therapies where horses and humans engage in an invisible exchange of feelings.
When a horse pricks its ears forward and looks at you, it’s a clear sign of recognition and interest. Think back to when you walked to the pasture to bring your horse back inside and they watched you approach. If your horse chose to walk up to you, that may indicate trust and comfort. For many horse owners, this familiar greeting is one of the most rewarding aspects of the bond.
A true test of the relationship often happens in stressful situations. A horse that remains calm and collected in an unfamiliar setting, like a competition, shows a high level of trust. This trust exists because the horse understands that their handler won’t put them in a dangerous situation.
Horses also show small hints of affection by nuzzling or grooming each other, and they may do the same to their humans. These gestures signal that they trust you and feel comfortable enough to share a moment of bonding.
But what happens when we’re away? Do horses miss their owners, or is that just wishful thinking?
Do Horses Miss Their Owners?
Research shows that horses are capable of missing owners they trust. Equines have excellent long-term memories and can recognize handlers even after a long absence (Proops & McComb, 2009). A horse’s whinny when they spot you entering the barn aisle might be more than just a “hello.” It could be a sign of longing, especially if they haven’t seen you in a while. However, sometimes this vocal behavior indicates separation anxiety, which can be problematic if accompanied by behaviors like sweating or restlessness.
Horses thrive on routine, and a big part of that routine may be the consistent presence of their primary handler. When you’re gone, some horses show signs of distress, as they associate you with safety, companionship, and familiarity. This is often seen in behavior changes, like nudging or “playing” by nibbling at your clothing when you return, showing they’re eager to reconnect.
But does this attachment mean that they love us, or are these actions just related to the resources we provide?
What Does Research Say About Horse-Human Recognition?
Research suggests that horses recognize their owners much like they recognize members of their herd. Similar to us, they can match visual and auditory cues to specific individuals. A notable study conducted by British scientists Dr. Leanne Proops and Dr. Karen McComb in 2012 demonstrated this ability.
In their experiment, two people stood on either side of a horse while a recording of a human voice played from a hidden speaker. The horses consistently turned to look at the person whose voice they recognized, matching the familiar voice to the familiar face. When the voice was unfamiliar, the horses didn’t look at either person, indicating they couldn’t make a match.
In another setup, two familiar people stood next to the horse, and again, the horses were able to match the voice to the correct person. This shows that horses not only recognize us but can associate our faces with our voices, much like humans do.
However, not all research points in the same direction. A 2020 study by Swedish researchers explored whether horses have a particular preference for their owners over strangers. The study involved 26 horses and observed them in various scenarios. Interestingly, the horses showed a tendency to view humans in general as “safe havens,” exhibiting more relaxed behavior around people than when alone in unfamiliar environments.
The horses’ heart rates increased when separated from humans and decreased upon reunion, regardless of whether the person was their owner or a stranger. This suggests that while horses find comfort in human presence, they may not always show a strong preference for their specific owners over others.
While this study offers intriguing insights, countless examples in the equestrian world demonstrate horses forming special bonds with their owners. Personal experiences of riders and handlers often reflect a deep connection that goes beyond seeing humans as mere sources of safety.
5 Ways to Help Bond With Your Horse
Building a connection with your horse with patient training and time. Although you may just click within a few weeks, it often takes years of work. Here are five ways to help strengthen the bond between you and your horse:
Establish Mutual Respect
Many trainers emphasize the importance of respect when working with animals. Respect is earned and should be mutual. It can be tempting to use force when your horse doesn’t respond, but that often creates fear rather than true obedience. Instead, focus on building a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding.
Utilize Positive Reinforcement
There are two main ways to train a horse: positive and negative reinforcement. While a mixture of both methods can be successful, studies have shown that positive reinforcement is generally more effective at building a strong connection between horse and rider (Sankey et al., 2010).
Horses trained using positive reinforcement show increased interest in humans and often seek contact even after training sessions.
Vary Your Training Techniques
Practicing different training techniques with varying exercises can greatly enhance the bond between you and your horse. Instead of always heading to the arena, try going for a relaxing trail ride. Rather than simply lunging in the round pen, explore different groundwork exercises targeted specifically toward earning respect.
Incorporate Creativity and Fun
Although consistency and routine are important, training should involve creativity and fun to keep things fresh and challenging for both you and your horse. Introducing new activities or obstacles can stimulate your horse mentally and physically, strengthening your connection.
Be Patient and Give It Time
Building a strong bond doesn’t happen overnight. Patience is key. Allow your relationship to develop naturally over time. Celebrate small victories and be consistent in your efforts. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination when it comes to forming a lasting partnership with your horse.
Final Thoughts
Horses are capable of forming strong bonds with their owners over time. Observing behavioral cues like pricked ears, whinnying, or eagerness to connect can indicate a developing partnership. While some studies suggest horses may view humans generally as “safe havens,” many personal experiences and research support that horses recognize and bond with their specific human companions.
If your horse isn’t showing these signs yet, be patient. Bonds between humans and horses grow with time, positive reinforcement, and mutual understanding.
Also, read our guide on the signs a horse likes you.
References
- Hausberger, M., Roche, H., Henry, S., & Visser, E. K. (2008). A review of the human–horse relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109(1–2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.04.015
- Merkies, K., & Franzin, O. (2021). Enhanced understanding of horse–human interactions to optimize welfare. Animals, 11(5), 1347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051347
- Proops, L., & McComb, K. (2009). Attributing attention: The use of human-given cues by domestic horses (Equus caballus). Animal Cognition, 13(2), 197–205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-009-0257-5
- Sankey, C., Richard-Yris, M. A., Henry, S., Fureix, C., Nassur, F., & Hausberger, M. (2010). Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equus caballus). Animal Cognition, 13(5), 753–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9
- Proops, L., & McComb, K. (2012). Cross-modal individual recognition in domestic horses (Equus caballus) extends to familiar humans. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 279(1741), 3131-3138. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.0626
- Söderholm, J., & Söderholm, S. (2020). Human–horse relationship: Exploring the concept of a secure base effect in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 233, 105146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105146
