I was watching 2 heavyweight cob/shire/something-like-thats in our field the other day. They were standing nose to tail mutually-grooming each other but each was biting at the other's hind fetlocks (lots of feathers). I've never seen that before.

Is this something you see commonly, those of you who are more used to this sort of breed than I am?

It never ceases to amaze me how subtle, yet advanced, their communication is. It's easy to work out where your companion wants scratching if you put your bottom in his face. But then to encourage him to work his way down the leg as well seems a lot more complicated. I know Jak thinks I'm utterly useless at working this out. He must think he's telling me so obviously! (But then, I suppose we have already established that I'm autistic - tee hee!)

Catherine

I've seen this too Catherine, nothing quite like a good feather scratch

Jenni

Does anyone else have the impression that there are some defined gestures requesting certain attentions? So often you see people "shaking paws" with dogs who put up a front paw - but doesn't that mean "Scratch my chest"? - there's a whole complicated learning pattern there!

So Jenni, when you've seen this take place has it been between 2 horses who both wanted their feathers scratched? I'm just wondering if it would occur to a horse without lots of feathers (and presumably little concept of needing them scratched) to scratch the feathers of a different horse. So whether they do this because they both know they want it done, or whether a feathery horse has a cue to tell a non-feathery horse where he wants scratching.

I don't think English is my strong point today! Am I making sense?! Maybe I'll just have to wait and see if Jak becomes friendly enough with these 2 new shires to engage in mutual grooming with them.

My friend's Section D (heavily feathered) turned his back to me and lifted a hind leg slightly. Bemused, I moved away (although I wasn't very familiar with him he had always seemed calm and non-threatening in the context we were in). His owner stopped me and said, "he's not threatening to kick you, he wants his fetlock joints scratching". I duly obliged, much to Wizard's pleasure. Behaviour ain't always what it seems!