No one knows the depth and breadth of the emotions that exist in the equine experience. But they do display feelings on the pleasure-displeasure spectrum. And without ascribing human emotions, we can all agree that horses will show fear, anger, jealousy, contentment, friendship, and positive attachment aka, love.
Just as abuse and mis-adventure can mar our emotional health causing problems with behavior and relationships, so it is with the horse, who remembers everything without filter or understanding.
And they don’t have to be mistreated rescue horses to have seemingly irrational stubbornness to new things or refusal to perform activities that were once considered reasonable, safe, even enjoyable by the horse. They develop phobias to common items like puddles, wind blown wrappers-trash-balloons, hats, etc.