"Calm quiet moments are the most significant for you and your horse. It is not in the excitement that your bond of trust is formed. It is in the silence when you are together." ~ Franklin Levinson
We do brush/groom our horses. We just don't brush our horses every day and we only rug the older or any ill horses when and if they need it. (Usually when it's cold and they are not moving about much.) There is a reason for rolling and for them to accumulate all that dirt and mud. They are not only ridding themselves of dead skin cells and hair when they scratch and roll, but also using the packed mud to keep warm in colder weather. Or to keep insects from biting in summer, and staying cool in the heat.
We like the idea of 'consensual grooming'. Grooming at liberty. There are certainly things we do with our horses that require them to be haltered or wear tack...however when we groom the herd, it's generally done by mutual consent.
Consensual grooming involves going out to your horse with no restraints and no agenda other than giving pleasure via brushing your horse. It's their choice if they wish to stay, or walk away. We don't pursue it when we do it this way. If they only want one side brushed, or their tail done, or nothing and just wander off, we allow it. And trust me, they appreciate the choice. You never know, they might be sore in a spot you are grooming. It's something to observe and follow up on, if they flinch or twitch before moving away. They may just feel like some time to themselves. We all do at times. More often than not they stay for as much grooming as you can manage without your arms falling off. Particularly at this time of year - when losing their winter coats.
Horses also groom each other and themselves, more so when they are losing coat. They all have their favourite trees or dead stumps or bushes on which to rub/scratch/walk through. Sometimes it takes them a minute to find the exact right angle or spot that needs attention, which can bring a smile to your face if you watch. Sometimes they are also giving themselves a little massage - rubbing a shoulder or a sore hindquarter muscle. It's all stimulation and very healthy.
Mutual grooming between herd members also happens during times of change or stress. It can be a calming signal. They are reassuring one another or perhaps trying to assure humans they are no threat. Mutual grooming can be seen when there is a lot of focus on the herd, or members of the herd. They will groom to calm their anxiety about being under the spotlight, so to speak. Because prey animals prefer not to be noticed, most of the time. It's a survival skill. Losing oneself in a group.
Obsessive rubbing at one particular spot (like weaving or cribbing), is not healthy and is something else entirely. It's called a 'sterotypie' these days and may be an indicator that the horse is sick or sore, or so bored or anxious it's taken to magnifying a particular behaviour that it has been prevented from doing naturally. Horses doing this need their environment and possibly diet looked at and perhaps changed as fast as possible. (Because sometimes scratching obsessively can mean they've developed something like copper or iodine deficiency which causes little scabs and sores similar to rain scald.) If the behaviour is abnormal they may also need rehabilitation therapy.
Once your horse realises he/she has a choice, they will often move and offer up specific sides or parts of themselves that they wish groomed/attended to. They will also do this with each other in the herd. Sometimes it's because they want the spare hair gone. Sometimes it's because they are a bit stiff or sore and want that area massaged, and brushing does that too.
What does a horse enjoying healthy self-grooming or consensual grooming with humans look like? How do you know if they are enjoying themselves? Aside from their coat remaining healthy with no bare patches, it's fairly easy to judge...just check out the photos. And enjoy this precious connection and bonding time with your horse.
