Go on, give us a smile!
Does your horse or pony love a good fuss?
We take enrichment very seriously at Remus – it’s all about enhancing an animal’s physical, social and mental environment. One way we do this is through holistic therapies, such as Aromatherapy, Shiatsu, Reiki and Bach flower remedies, which all of the horses love.
But there is also a much simpler way to enrich our horses’ lives, without the need for training or specialists… grooming! A recent study in France has found that horses prefer gentle stroking and attention, compared to a standard, all over groom. The researchers found that they enjoy it so much it actually makes them ‘smile’. The facial expressions they produce are thought to be a ‘more sensitive’ reflection of how they are feeling than their behaviour is.
We spend time with our horses every day by stroking, talking and just interacting with them on a one-to-one basis. Gentle grooming is great for circulation and relaxation – and they just love it.
You can ready more about the study in this article from Horse & Hound.