Note: I found this post when I was going back through some drafts that I had typed up, but never published. This story is actually from three summers ago. However, I love these pictures of Lil’ Bit and Josie, so I thought this post was still worth publishing! Hope you enjoy it and hope your animals are staying happy this summer, despite the heat.
We went to visit Lil Bit last week. He’s an adorable little palomino pony who was adopted from the rescue several years ago. His photo is even part of the rescue’s logo.
I had never met Lil Bit before, but we quickly became friends! With this extreme heat, all the horses are sweating and they are all pretty itchy. I found some pretty good spots on Lil Bit’s neck and belly and one really good one on the side of his withers. His girlfriend Josie also enjoyed getting a good scratch. She even tried to return the favor by grooming me a bit with her lips.
So, here’s what I want to know. What’s your horse’s favorite itchy spot? Where does he just love to be rubbed or scratched? Do you have any good spots that just really make his lip wiggle and make him sigh in happiness?
For some of our horses at the rescue, it’s been really easy to find their favorite spots. Some of them just love to be brushed and scratched. Buckwheat, our big buckskin who recently got adopted, loved being rubbed on the top of his forehead and in between his ears. And Dillon, one of our old timers, enjoys being scratched just about anywhere.
Others of our horses are much sensitive and perhaps even a bit standoffish about being petted. They will let you groom them, but it’s hard to find a good spot where they really like to be scratched. Sometimes it can take a long time until I discover where their favorite spots are. It’s also really interesting to see how a horse’s favorite itchy spots can change at different times of the year. However, I love it when I find a horse’s favorite itchy spot because then I have yet another something that I can use as a reward.
Enjoy the pictures of Lil Bit below. And for even more about scratching, check out this great blog post that Jen published last week about scratching her new foal, Rune.
First, I LOVE that you love to find itchy spots… not that many people realize how relationship building/ fun… it is. I’ve been a “scratcher” ambassador for years.
For the horses I’m working with, it’s tummy… hands down, and under the arm pits! sometimes under a thick mane…!
I’ve found that an aloof horse will almost always finally let loose when they realize how nice a gentle scratching can be, then they open up to more places that they like it.
Working with Brian Neubert, my favorite horseman/clinician who worked for years with Tom Dorrance, I heard him say many times “Well, I may not have a carrot, but I’ve always got my scratchers…”
“I’ve always got my scratchers.”
I love that, Paula!
Definitely agree that scratching and finding the itchy spots is great for relationship building.
It’s interesting, I’ve met a handful of horses where people have told me — This horse doesn’t like to be touched / petted, he doesn’t have any itchy spots, etc. But, after sometimes, we’ve been able to find them! It can take sometime and experimenting with some of the horses, until you find those spots.
I think some of the harder ones are the horses that have learned to tolerate people / put up with people, but that don’t really like interacting with people. These horses often learn to shut down (or tense up) around people. So, like you said, the scratching can be so great for relationship building and can start to teach these horses to relax and that interacting with people can be enjoyable.
cheers,
Mary
I’ve also found that some people aren’t very good at it… and have to be shown how to see what the horse likes, sometimes at first they either tickle them, or are too rough… so maybe it also helps people to learn to read their horse better…?
Yes, I think people need to learn how to read their horses better!
I often see people pat the horse or scratch very lightly.
I’ve had a few horses like to be scratched so hard that it makes my hand hurt! I think people usually don’t think to try scratching this hard.
It’s interesting, though, figuring out each horse’s personal preference.
cheers,
Mary
I’m so glad you commented on my blog! Apparently I lost yours in the shuffle of moving to a new blog reader. I’m going to do the email subscription thing so it doesn’t happen again. Thanks for catching up with me! Also Chrome’s favorite itchy spot is the underside of his neck. I thought maybe it was because of his sweet itch, but he’s loved it for as long as I’ve had him even before the sweet itch. 😀
Can I feed Cheerios to my horse as a snack
HI Debra,
I think a few would probably be fine for your horse, as long as he doesn’t have any health issues. If you’re looking for something to use as a treat or a snack in large amounts, there are probably better choices.
~Mary