I've got a stupid question, do horses have a 'horse smell' in the same way dogs have a 'dog smell'?
I pet my first ever horse today. (s)he was kinda wild (New forest pony), still pretty young, still breastfeeding and staying close to mum and not afraid of me. I was hitting a ball around and the foal came up to me so I scratched it behind the ear which it seemed to enjoy and I ran my hand across its back which I enjoyed (oh ma gawd so fluffy!). I was curious what horses smelled like but to my surprise it didnt really smell of anything, it was just a neutral smell I guess, not what I expected.
I always thought animals would have their own smell but now Im left questioning why this horse didnt smell horsey. I dont think these guys get washed as they live out in the wild for pretty much all their lives. Maybe the new horse smell hadnt rubbed off yet?!
Horses have a very distinct horsey smell, even if they are being washed on a regular basis. Foals will have a faint or neutral scent, but that seems to be common with most young animals. Mares have a sweeter, earthy, almost leathery scent, while stallions and geldings have a bit more musky smell to them.
Out of curiosity, do mares smell unusual when they're in heat, in your experience? I've only once gotten close (tacked, rode, untacked) to a mare that I, right in the middle of a riding lesson no less, learned was in heat. She definitely was fidgety, got worked up, and sweat more, and I could have sworn that she smelled different...but I don't know whether that was my brain convincing myself of what I wanted to believe.
Since then, unfortunately, I've been cursed with a lack of opportunity to confirm my suspicions...
There's a very big difference in a mare's scent when she's in heat. It's hard to describe, but it's a much stronger, more concentrated mare smell just not as sweet smelling. It's a spicier, more pungent scent. If you are familiar with that smell it's incredibly easy to detect. That concentrated scent is all over their body and even on their breath. Personally I find it to be absolutely intoxicating, and if the wind is right I can smell a mare who's in estrus from a good distance away.
Is it also true their body temperature is higher when in heat?
If there is an increase in their body temperature when they're in estrus it's not something I've ever noticed.
Interesting, I guess that makes sense. The babies need to be more hidden from predators and being less smelly is a pretty major part to being stealthy.
The older horses didnt let me get close enough to pet them.
I wish I could pet a horse.
Just take a lesson at a local stable. Most will have you groom the horse before getting on.
I feel like my parents would find it really weird if I suddenly expressed an interest in doing that. And, unfortunately, I always get too nervous when spur-of-the-moment opportunities come up and I end up just not doing anything. One of these days, though, it's going to happen. It's one of my goals in life.
jesus man just go and do it. I'd love to have a thing where I could just go and hang around dogs for a few hours without it being weird.
Anyway I still need to take a few riding lessons. Little ponies I can handle but the big horses kinda put me on edge cause I cant read their body language. Its on the list of things to do. Just try not to get caught staring at their junk :P
Horses definitely smell, some more then others especially when sweating. It's hard to describe the smell, however when horses sweat they acquire a strong distinct horsey odor. I could tell which saddle pads belonged to which horses based on their unique scent.
impressive. Is that your party trick? ;)