What's Wrong with a Friendly Horse?

[rodriguezpoultry]

I don't understand what's so awful about a "pocket horse"?

I want a horse that comes up to me. I want a horse that wants to hang around me and be near me. I want to be able to know that he's not going to turn around and run away from me at any given moment, which could wind up in me getting trampled or kicked.

Can someone tell me what's so wrong with a horse that willingly stays near you, nuzzles you and wants your interaction? Maybe I'm confusing terms. If that's the case, can someone tell me what a "pocket horse" is?

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Maybe a pocket horse is a horse that follows you so much he tramples you??

 

[Hound]

It's all a matter of having a 'bubble'. If a horse feels too comfortable in your space, it may run into you if something spooks it or just become too pushy. With the size difference it's a lot safer for them to keep a respectful distance.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

What if the horse runs away from the object or simply stops next to you when spooked?

 

[eenie114]

The horse needs to respect you and know who's boss. If they get the idea that they can be that close to you, they may get the idea that they can be in charge. If they get the idea that they can be in charge, you've got a problem.
Frankly, I hate it when my horse gets pushy about being cuddled.

It makes it awfully hard to get anything done.

 

[duckluck]

Well, a lot of what people term "pocket horses" can turn pushy or nippy, or some other form of disrespectful, with people. A little disrespect can go a long way when it's the horse doing the dissing. Ponies especially can take the fast track from "cute and social" to "dangerous" without the correct guidance from the handler...teeth searching for a treat can do a lot of damage with very little effort, intentional or not.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I suppose I don't get it still. The only disrespectful thing I could see is if the horse is literally walking on you? Or if he was pushing you relentlessly with his body.

Are there different levels of pocket horses?

 

[un-named]

could the term be referring to the horse that gets treats, looks for them (you keep them in your pocket) and gets to biting you or at your pockets in a disrespectful anticipation of the treat?

 

[Hound]

It's really a subjective thing; one person's respectful horse is too wary to another person. Some people like their horses more in their face than others. I want a horse that comes into my space if invited but doesn't push its way in. It's one thing to have a horse that is easy to do anything with on the ground, but another thing entirely to have one that barges and sticks its nose in your pockets.

 

[Hound]

Quote:
Walking into you, dragging when leading, rubbing its head against you, sticking its head in feed buckets that you're trying to carry... all of these things I can't stand in a horse.