They've Got the Touch...equine sense of touch

From Jim: Pleasure, pain, pressure, and temperature are the components of touch and equines have the ability to perceive them all with great sensitivity. Their skin, the equine's largest organ, is covered with uncountable receptors which are not evenly distributed. They are most sensitive around their muzzle, eyes, ears, and genitalia. Less sensitive areas include root of the mane, hooves, and, depending on breed, neck and shoulders. Everyone has seen a fly, way less than a gram, torment a horse by just walking on them. They are sensitive! They probably are ticklish and prefer a firm touch to a simulated fly walk contact. They have an array of whiskers around their muzzle and eyes and sensitive guard hairs in their ears which help them explore things in the environment and protect vulnerable sensory organs. Why we think crippling their senses is an attractive show attribute is beyond me. We shave off whiskers and guardhairs with abandon-cause it looks pretty? Really? They didn't evolve these characteristics as a nuisance to show judges. They have them, cause they need them. Equines desensitize, i.e. lose sensation, when areas are subjected to repeated rough stimulation. A "hard mouth" is often the result of a ham-fisted rider with too much bit. Mechanical hackamores are notorious for numb noses.
Horses enjoy great kinethetics. They know where their body parts are, and where those parts are going. Never ever underestimate their ability to aim a kick or strike. They shoot bulleyes. Equines have a much superior sense of touch and awareness of body than we do. This is useful in the conduct of herd behavior and in the avoidance of predators. I think it's also another reason to love on them. They really enjoy being petted and groomed. It feels good to them to be lovingly touched. That's very fortunate for us, because touching a horse is a joy!