Horse's Memory

I worked as a coach/groom and trail guide at a local stable for several years. While I was there I did some horse training too. My boss/coach bought this mare and asked me if I would be interested in training the horse for her because she wanted this horse to be her's and not a lesson horse. I agreed and trained the horse from the ground up. The mare turned out to be very kind and sane so my boss assigned her to me as my work horse, so I'd lead public trail rides out on her everyday.

I really got attached to this horse, and I was the only one who would ride her since my coach wasn't really interested in riding at that time. Things changed and I resigned from my job to persuit other things in my life. I hadn't seen the horse for almost two years.

I had been thinking about the mare a lot and asked my coach if I could come over for a visit. I got to the ranch and all the horses were turned out in the pastures. I just walked up to the fence and watched them graze. They sensed my presence and I saw the mare stop eating and look in my direction. She stared and sniffed the air, and all at once it was like something in her mind clicked. She cantered across the field, by herself and over to the fence. She came over and nuzzled me and leaned in to be pet. Her owner finally showed up and told me that the mare NEVER came to the fence, even at feeding time and was really hard to catch in general. I was so amazed that this horse "remembered" me and came over to see me. It really made me feel good. I am working training some young horses at the same ranch now, and every time I pull in the mare comes to the fence to see me. I really adore this horse, and her owner said she won't come and see anyone but me. I'm so surprised that a horse's memory is so good. To remember me after 2 yrs is amazing.

Why should it be so amazing? Horses have excellent memories. They remember people and other horsey friends for many years. Two years isn't all that much time.