I read a great article a while back about dog owners requesting that people ignore their dog. This can equally apply to our equines.
The article went on to say that dogs are sentient beings and they have likes and dislikes and we shouldn’t expect them to be ok with being physically accosted by strangers. The same goes for equines.
People love to pat horses and donkeys. The first thing most people do is to reach out a hand and stroke their face. Imagine if a stranger walked up to you and stroked your face? Imagine even someone you know, doing it without asking?
Next time you want to pat a horse or donkey, even if it’s your own, stop and think for a moment.
Can you find out where they really like to be touched? Can you respect the fact that they may not like being touched, just now, or not at all?
Could you train them to like being touched somewhere less invasive, such as their neck, shoulder or wither?
Could you find their favourite itchy spots, so both of you get something enjoyable out of it?