A horse that doesn't like me

by Amy
(Greece)

Hello,
My name is Amy and I live in Greece.
Near my house there is a farm with horses which I go very often.
I have met a horse which I like but I think it doesn't like me. Whenever I go close to her she bites the bars and makes a weird sound and she puts her ears back when I try to pat her...
How can I become friends with her???
People say she is the meanest horse there...but she is so pretty and I would like to be the one to come close to her..is that possible??
Thank you very much for your time.
Kind regards
Amy

Hi Amy,
First, don't take this horses reactions toward you personally. This horse has reason to dislike all humans, no doubt due to past unpleasant experiences. She is likely more afraid of you than anything else because she doesn't trust people. Horses are not born mean, they learn that part from improper handling from humans mostly. Their natural reaction to humans is fear based until trust is learned too. She is simply being very defensive having the position of, "I'll bite you before you get a chance to bite me!"
Because you do not own this horse cautionary measures are necessary. Providing you have permission from the owner you shouldn't really do anything.

But if it was me (hee, hee) I would go see this horse the same time everyday and throw carrots over the fence and stand talking quietly while she ate them then I would leave, returning the same time the next day. By the third or fourth time I would bet this horse is standing waiting for you and possibly with a warm whiny. But if it takes 10 times, so be it. I would not try to touch her, my goal is to have her believe I am not like the other humans she has encountered so far. When I notice she is eager to see me then I might offer the carrot from my hand using a long carrot so my fingers are not part of the dinner. I would feed lots like 7 or 10 then leave again. If she wouldn't take them from my hand then over the fence they go, no problem. But the day when she calmly and happily takes the carrots from my hand I would ever so gently use my other hand to stroke her face or neck, quickly in between each bite. Great friendships are earned never demanded.
Please see if the owner will allow you to do this first.
Here's hoping a new found friendship blossoms!

Elaine Polny
Horses by Nature