He sounds like a good horse. He doesn't run from you. He checks you out to say hi/see if you need anything when you go out to see him in the pasture. I wouldn't worry too much about it. His life is good and he is happy.

Some horses just aren’t particularly friendly, they’re more “business like” - hate is a really strong word and I’d be surprised if horses even feel it, truly. At his age, personally I wouldn’t hassle him about it — if he’s good to you, does his job, and you provide all his basics, this is just who he is.

We have 12 equines right now. Two are just like your boy, not interested in mingling with people at all - they do their job, they go back to their happy place. A chunk of them are spoiled broodmares - they’re happy to see me specifically, because I do spoil them 😅 they’re selfishly happy to see me. One filly, our mule and are donkey are genuinely affectionate - it’s just in their blood and their personality and they have decided people are more fun than their four legged friends. Whenever you get your next horse, lookout for one more like this if that deep “connection” is really important to you ❤️