A question for horsey people

[Trollsandsqueakforbreakfast]

Why, when the horse has done exceptionally well, do riders smack them round the neck so hard? Do horses respond well to that?

I've never seen anyone smacking their horses really hard. I have seen riders giving their horse a congratulatory pat.

They prefer a scratch on the withers. If it seems as if they enjoy those pats you’re calling smacks, it’s because they know that they’ve done well, there may be a treat coming, and/or the session is over. They’ve been conditioned basically not to see pats as smacks.

I'm watching the horse show on BBC2 and most are giving a pat but one really slapped his horse.

That makes more sense, thanks

It's because they are huge animals and a gentle touch doesn't quite reach them. A firm pat (not a smack) is absolutely normal.

I don't think a open hand 'smack' on a horses neck could ever hurt - that area is solid muscle so it will register as a 'well done' pat and work is over as per PP.

That rider got carried away - it’s usually as much a way for the rider to let off steam after having just done an amazing round…
My horse loves a scratch up and down the crest and a rub on the neck so that’s what he gets. But I’m not competing.

Thank you all, I did think it might be because of the sheer size of the animal but it felt to me as a non horsey person that they're going "ah sure well done there, SMACK" 😂

A little known fact is that is that on the evening of the battle of Waterloo, Copenhagen, who had carried the Duke of Wellington for upwards of 20 hours, nearly killed him. Having unsaddled him, Wellington gave Copenhagen a grateful thwack on his rump, whereupon Copenhagen, perhaps understandably, lashed out and nearly brained the Duke.

I think people are at last starting to reassess what is done to horses, from the PoV of the horse, but it’s difficult to accept that what’s been done for ever, with good intentions, should be reconsidered.