With some horses it is more a case of they stand on your foot so you can’t get away, lean lovingly against you and Hough in your hair whilst you bellow at them to get off, you clumsy great ox, and try to push them away while you are unable to get any purchase because one of your feet is fixed to the ground.
No malice is involved.
Seventeen-hands-plus and furry ankles are particularly prone to this misplaced gesture of affection.