Horse communication

[IHateCoronavirus]

Hello equine types, i’m Wondering if you can help me.
Behind our school is a stables and fields where horses graze/play.
The children don’t normally have access as it backs onto the locked off sports field.
Anyway, I took my key worker children up to see them today being careful to tell them we must never feed them etc as they weren’t our horses and we didn’t want to make them sick. I also asked them not to get to close or stroke them (under the current circumstances).
The children were delighted, as was one horse in particular who dashed over to see the children.
The children spoke to the horse and tried to guess his name and all of the time the horse stayed looking at the children moving only slightly from child to child.

When we went to leave the horse picked up a front hoof and kicked the fence and tapped at the floor.

The children dashed back to the horse. We went to leave again and the horse repeated the same thing lifting a front hoof and pawing at the floor.

Anyway this went on and on and eventually the children were heartbroken leaving the horse as they were convinced it was telling them to stay.

I am certain it was communicating something with them but what?

Anyone have any ideas?

It sounds like it was pawing. My young horse does it for attention/when he's bored. It's very naughty behavior in my book, not to say dangerous if they do it at a fence or gate as they could get their hoof or leg stuck.

Sometimes they can paw as a sign of aggression too, so do be careful.

Ooh good to know thanks. The children were convinced it was because it was lonely and didn’t want them to leave.
Funnily enough the horse seemed taken by one of the little boys who has a gentle loving side but also a lot of anger and this child was the most upset by leaving the horse.
Shall I keep the kiddies away then to stop the horse pawing if it is to be discouraged?

It might be used to being fed over the fence, and be expecting treats. One of mine does it at feeding time.

It probably just wants food! They do it for attention. Very unlikely to be signalling anything deeper I'm afraid. They are not that intelligent.

Yes he was asking for more attention, or more likely, for food . He's probably used to little visitors bringing him illicit tasty treats although you are absolutely right to not feed him, thank you for teaching the children that, it really is much appreciated. As other have said it's usually regarded as bad manners in horses as (a) it's actually a mild dominance behaviour and (b) they can damage fences or their feet if they learn to kick them. But it will be a habit he already has so don't worry about it being your fault in any way.

I think it's fine to go and see him again but don't let the kids get within range of his teeth or feet, horses are very rarely aggressive but they can be clumsy and you wouldn't want anyone getting hurt.

Perhaps if the little lad has special needs or is from a vulnerable group you could see if there are any charities in the area that offer equine therapy or other horsey experiences, horses often work wonders for children with autism, they seem to somehow have a amazing calming effect!

Yep another one here thinking just attention and treats. My ex racer will lift a hoof just like my dog does to "beg" for fuss and snacks.

Shocking behaviour which I don't try hard enough to stop.

Thank you all for your help.

I will definitely have a look for a horse therapy for the boy. I think it would be something he would love as yesterday I was quite moved by the connection he felt with the horse. He is loving to things like soft toys etc but strugglescwith anger and frustration with people which can leave him isolated, so sad as he does have it in him. Yesterday with the horse he was so loving and concerned.

I’m not in everyday with the key children and not all staff have a key to get in the top feild so they won’t be seeing the horses everyday but i’ll take them on my days. I’ll let the children know that it is being a bit cheeky when it paws the ground so they don’t go running back to it and reinforce the behaviour. Hopefully it’ll get used to not getting any food from us and learn not to expect it.
Thanks again