I think a horse can be friendly without being "cuddly" or "in-your-pocket". I've known many mares (including my own) who are more than happy to be in my company, but they aren't going to crowd me or be "clingy" at all.

Maybe it's just my personal experience, but I've met far less geldings who are friendly without being in-your-pocket. I love a friendly horse who's happy to be around people, but I don't enjoy one who has to be in your face at all times.

Anecdote: Filling a mare's water trough. Mare is standing about 4 feet away from me and waiting for her water to be filled. Gelding in paddock next door is leaning as far as he can through the fence to snuffle everything he can get his snout on. Me, my hair, the hose, my hands, my arms, etc. I have a picture of me ducking down as I'm filling the water so he can't reach me. Gelding has "Ooooh! Whachoo doin?" expression on his face, while mare looks like she's bored and rolling her eyes at him.

...............CherryHorse Blog..................