What did he mean???

[PasoJoy]

I was cleaning stalls yesterday and after I finished I looked to see what 'the boys' were doing..it was a bright sunny afternoon, although quite cold. They were both standing by the barn, just hanging out. I walked over to Poeta and stood by his head and started up a conversation. His eyes were half closed and he was bathed in warm sunlight. I touched his neck and felt the heat of the sun on him, it felt so good! He brought his nose to my face, sliding it down till he reached my right nostril, and then started to softly breathe into my nose. I felt the velvety softness of his upper lip and gently inhaled his expelled breath into my lungs, and gave it softly back to him...as I stood there it seemed like Time stood still..and I forgot everything but the warmth of his fur and the sweet moistness of his breath as we stood in the blazing light of the sun..
This feeling of calm came over me...of utter peacefulness...and then I broke the bond, and as I turned to finish my chores I heard him faintly calling to me...'hur hur hur hur' ...
I was very touched by this..BUT, even though he was done with breakfast, do you think he was just saying 'OK, you got what you wanted, now FEED me?' :shock:

[motorgypsy]

The boys are lovers. He was just loving on you. Human males could really take lessons from male horses. Many of them are such awesome lovers. They talk, they dance, they rub backs, they share food, they smooch, they cuddle, they pay the lady total attention. They really like affection.

[Jane Hurl]

At a young age, I was taught that I should always offer my breath to a horse as a means of introduction. (Horses, NOT dogs. Blow -- even gently -- in a dog's nose and you're likely to get bitten in the face.) Assuming that what I was told is correct, it is one way that they get to know you. I always "introduce" myself (gently) to a new horse and I find that they stop, sniff, think about it (or at least appear to think about it) and then offer to sniff again.

I think your horse was enjoying your essence. And I think the Motorgypsies are right. He was loving you.

[motorgypsy]

Speaking about dogs it reminded me of when we were kids and had our super dog. One of our most favorite forms of entertainment were blowing in our dogs face and he would snap his teeth at us. We'd do it for hours. Cheap entertainment!!!

[Tracey]

This is funny, I learned as a kid from my horses to 'say hello' to horses in this way, I don't know how. My horse always did it to me and I did it back, guess it became a habit. Dolly does it to me and so does the Pony and the new mph gelding. My husbands horse will not do it with me but will with my husband (he has trust issues with all but Tony). I always see it as a sign of friendship. And as an adult read somewhere to do that when meeting a horse as that is how they get to know you?

[PattiB]

I know two mares that would snatch your face off if you blew in their noses. The one was an Arabian, the other my broodmare. Most other horses have liked it but not those two! :shock:

[PasoJoy]

Sigh, I think he loves me 8-) ..it wasn't blowing at all...it was more an exchange of breaths, slow and soft. yes Jane, like our 'essences' were blended together :smile:
He 's the type of horse that loves attention, and is very much the gentleman, but usually very 'reserved'...I have never had a horse talk to me like that, oh they will sometimes say hi to me, and tell me when they think it's feeding time, but never that 'tone' of voice..
Whatever it was, it made my day!

[ErinC]

I think that is what makes me so close to mine , the two I have and now I am the closes to , never before felt this bond.
the colt, is a major player / lover he has my ticket!
and Incendio he is always up to hang with mom, and let me love him, he just stands there.
He licks like a dog, so when I groom he licks me.

I have had the same experiance you are tlaking about, it is COOL!

THe other night I went out to check on water, I never go out late, but something made me, the baby was laying down, he never got up, so I got down and layed with him, he just nuzzled me, ( I know I risked getting stepped on ) but I took that chance, he was so awesome!
then after some time passed I walked around him ,touched him every place, he never un-folded his legs, I sat on him , layed arcoss him.
he just looks at me with them 'Coral' Eyes and rustles me with his upper lip.

I LOVE HORSES!

Congras Joy that is awesome!

[Barbwire]

Aww shucks Joy, now you've gone and given me a warm fuzzy. http://www.jammerbabe.com/flotilla/images/smiles/bigkiss.gif

[GeorgeGuns]

This feeling of calm came over me...of utter peacefulness...and then I broke the bond

I have read "The Tao of Equus" (Linda Kohanov) twice now, and in it she explains just this a few times. I find her interpretations to be pretty dead on:
Horses are good at "doing nothing" and just existing, at feeling a pure love that tends to be both ecstatic and calm beyond most humans' capacity to tolerate for more than a few moments. We are brought up in a society that actually inhibits happiness and makes us feel guilty for experiencing too much of it. Imagine that. Horses don't EVEN grasp the concept of denying happiness or any other emotion. I have stood with horses as they grieve, as I grieve, as they celebrate life or as I do, and I sure wish my human brain could stand still long enough to soak these moments long and deep enough to last in my core.
I'm sure all this sounds flaky, and it does touch on a previous thread about horses and emotions... they don't experience them as we do, they are not fettered with judgements about emotions. When we get to just be with a horse, we get a wee picture of that river they sail on.
Yep I'm a nut.

[Terri]

I love it when they get all affectionate. The funniest one is Erin's little guy, Manito. When I am standing next to his stall, he'll stick his head over and just rest his chin on my shoulder and leave it there. He always has his face in mine and he gets mad if you don't rub him.

[Minouri]

I've never exchanged breath with my horse. He does offer me his nose often when I go to visit him.....and I kiss it. Who knows, maybe he was asking me to breath on him....lol

Scooter likes to be close by and he enjoys resting his head on you or having you lean on him.....but as far as petting.....he will stand for a nice mane massage, but that's about it. Loses interest in all else. If you're willing to stay still and lean against him he'll stay with you for hours. Start petting him and he leaves....lol

My other horse closes his eyes in sheer joy when you scratch his neck or run your hands over him. It's funny to see how different two geldings can be.

[Jane Hurl]

Minouri, the next time your horse offers his nose to you, breathe (don't "blow") gently into it. I think you'll be surprised by what happens next.

[paintedhorizon]

Isn't that the most AWESOME feeling! And no, I don't think he was saying "feed me" I think it was "thank you"

[GeorgeGuns]

PH I think you are right. We all get tickled when our horses "get it" but I think they get tickled too when we "get it".

[Jasfino]

Jaspers favorite way to show affection is putting his head on my shoulder and licking my hand. He is such an emotional/affectionate horse. I think one reason we have bonded so close is that we are alot alike in that we both are very sensitive. Alot of nites after I have groomed him, he will nudge my hand. That is his signal and I offer him my open hand and he kisses me. Non horse people wouldnt understand at all... :D Its the little things that mean the most.

[Moniece Dickerson]

I LOVE your post!I LOVE that you got to experience that!!Thank you SO much for sharing!!Moniece

[cowboy ed]

wow! interesting! ;-)