[MelissaH]

I know that you are never suppose to walk up to a strange dog and pet it, does the same apply for horses.

The place my daughter was riding today brought all the horses out for the kids and tied them to the rails. I went up to a geogeous horse and scratched him. He was huge and only 4. I asked what kind he was & they thought he was a tennesee walker.

I could not resist. What is the correct way? These were the blue shadow horses the kids use to train. What about boarded horses. I don't go up to them, sometimes there scary.

[MissBandit]

Absolutely. When it comes to children that is. Children should never approach any animal w/o a parent. And when they do so, they should ask the owner first if it's safe. Also be sure they know how safely hold their hand out for a sniff, no little 'carrots' sticking out.

[minnie_mouse]

Originally Posted by MissBandit

Also be sure they know how safely hold their hand out for a sniff, no little 'carrots' sticking out.

OMG!!! LMAO! 'carrots' that is soooo cute miss B!!!!

[*BaRrEL_BaBE*]

As for boarded horses, if there's no one around to ask, then don't touch the horse. There are horses out there that are just plain mean; some don't like men; some don't like women; and some are just afraid. This is safety first for both you and the horse, not to mention liabilities.

[Paint_luver]

We have signs up at my barn saying that people are allowed to pet the horses "none are vicious" but to "take care while petting horses, as they bite, although not necessarily in a vicious way," Or something like that. As for when strange horses are tied up, ABSOLUTELY don't touch (especially for kids) without permission. Just today a little kid RAN up to Buddy, and grabbed his tail. He fr.eaked out a little bit, but THANKFULLY didn't kick. Teach me to leave him alone to go get his saddle...

[Sandra-A1]

I think the same rules should apply...you should not pet any dog or horse that you do not have permission to touch from the owner or person in charge of that particular animal.
I know that at boarding stables and shows most owners appreciate your leaving their animal alone until you ask their permission to pet it.
It is a libility issue as well as the horse possibly learning or getting away with some behaviour that they normally would not.
So I have taught my nieces and nephews to never touch any animal, even horses, unless invited to do so.

[Quiggles]

If you get permission to pet a strange horse let him sniff your hand then give him a little pat on his neak or shoulder.

[Blistering Winds]

I do'nt like people touching my horses unless I know they are doing so. Mostly for a liability issue, but also so I know they aren't giving treats, allowing bad behavior, etc.

Some kids think it is GREAT that the horse rubs his head all over them. Until I knock the horse backwards. Then they are like, WHY YOU DO THAT? I have to explain to them 10 times how dangerous it is.

One of the barns I work at, OMG, If ME, the FEEDER pet some of these horses, I'm in trouble!!! Some people don't want their horses "people friendly". They like them to spook away from certain movements and such. Screws with their "training". (to me it is screwy in the head...but that is just my opinion).

[GeM]

Sometimes little kids come with adults to my barn. They give me the carrots to give my horse. They just like knowing they supplied the snack.
I get tons of people at shows who want to pet my horse. Most of them are horsepeople. I just say do at your own risk, he tends to slobber. Not nippy.

[madvoice]

If someone asks to pat my horses then I think its fine, but I let them know to be careful and move slowly. When I'm at shows or at stables, I never pat any of the horses that I don't have permission to do so.