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Feeding Time Frenzy

Does your normally good mannered horse turn into a monster come feeding time, pinning his ears, kicking out or otherwise acting aggressively? You may be causing the behavior by feeding a horse with a cranky look on his face in your hurry to finish barn chores without even knowing it. Here I will help you prevent that from happening by giving you a few tips to keep your horse respectful during feeding time.

Mind Your Manners

Feeding a horse that is starting to show aggressive behaviors can become dangerous quickly. If left unresolved a horse that pins his ears one day can transform into a horse that charges you. It is our job to stop little problems before they turn into big ones. Groundwork will prevent problems from happening by consistently reminding your horse that he should respond to you correctly and positively each time you interact. If you already have a horse will a feeding problem starting doing groundwork with him everyday while also beginning to retrain him during feeding time.

  • If your horse is fed in a stall or in another situation where you dump hay and grain then move on to the next horse, it can be easy to unintentionally reward bad behavior. Instead of feeding a horse that pins his ears, ignore him and walk past his stall like he isn’t there. Return to his stall later and feed him only when he gives you a pleasant expression with his ears forward.
  • It is always a good idea to back the horse up a safe distance during feeding and make him wait patiently, this way you are rewarding good behavior.
  • Don’t feed your horse until he is standing quietly with a pleasant look on his face. You may have to wait a few minutes to feed him, then continue to stand with him while he eats to further associate you with eating instead of using you as a vending machine.
  • Horses that display more aggressive behavior such as lunging and kicking need more intensive training. During feeding time take a whip or training stick with you, using it to keep your horse out of your personal space and away from the feed until you allow him. If your horse acts aggressively and starts coming toward you use your stick to move the horse away from you by smacking the ground.
  • Smack him on his hindquarters if he kicks toward you or smack his shoulder if he lunges at you. Be sure not to let your horse come all the way up to you as you put yourself in a more dangerous position. When he is standing away from you at a safe distance without acting threatening put feed out, then wait until he approaches with a calm attitude. Allow him to eat while you stand with him for a few minutes. Move him away from the food any time he acts aggressively.
  • You should be able to come up to your horse while he is eating and touch him or move him away form the feed at any time without him getting upset.
  • Being able to accomplish these things may take time especially if your horse has made this behavior a habit.