I have a 17yr old TB mare that is really bossy and demanding when it comes to food. She is absolutely fine in the paddock, walking her, fine to catch etc. but she just gets so worked up when she thinks you have food. For example, the other day I went to see her (she doesnt live at our place-but i see her approx. 4 days a week) and i stood out in the paddock and waited for her to come to me (usually she comes as soon as she sees you, but she was just being all stubborn) and i waited for a while, then i walked back towards the gate to wait for her there, but she must of thought I was leaving her without feeding her. She reared up and galloped into the paddock I was in (there's 2 paddocks, but she can access both) and when I got on the other side of the gate, coz I didnt want to get kicked or anything (u never know, she could do something like that, though she hasnt done it before), and she stopped at the gat and then started pawing the ground and making these weird hyped up whinny sounds
2007-11-03 18:37:35 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Horses
That she always makes when she sees, smells or thinks there is food. She galloped off again around the paddock then came back and calmed down, so I fed her then. But why does she do this? We moved her here because where she used to stay the other horses wouldnt allow her to eat what she wanted and she needed to gain weight but wasnt able to in this environment. Once she has her food though, she is fine and will let you pat her and everything, and is really calm. She's always calm when I excercise her and walk her, and after she has her food, but it's just when she thinks you have her food. She even semi reared at my friend from the other side of the fence when she thought she had her food. What can I do to prevent anyone from being hurt and calm my horse down at feed time?
2007-11-03 18:43:33 · update #1
Ps- I always feed her after excercise as I can't feed her when I'm not there, but the owners of the paddock feed her on the days I can't see her.
2007-11-03 18:45:59 · update #2
She used to be in really poor condition too, so I dont know if she just gets really attached to food now, because she's making up for the times that she mustnt of had enough?
2007-11-03 18:47:38 · update #3
Lol, sorry this is like a novel, but it gets annoying having her all hyped up having a tantrum for her food. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!
2007-11-03 18:49:27 · update #4
firstly you need patience
you need to play with your horse and teach her some manners, never hit a horse it will only hurt your hand and confuse her. in stead of just turning up riding and feeding. try to turn up some times and do some flat work and leading her around and lunging. when feeding bring the feed into the paddock/ arena while she is tied up. then untie her and continue to do some leading and walking in circles. she will be frustrated and try to get to the food but dont give in. when you have achieved a few nice circles and succeeded in backer her up and then letting her forward. then feed.
The best thing to remember is that horses are creatures of habit and routine. You need to create the habits and routines and be consistant. When she gets hyped up for food this is ok as long as she is not endangering herself or others.
2007-11-04 08:43:34 · answer #1 · answered by carbrooksilkies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is greedy about food because she barely got any before because of horses. So when she is around horses and senses that it is feeding time she wants to protect her food. Sorry, I don't know how to train it but one of my horses does that but a little less extreme, he doesn't buck or rear just gallop off and try to bite me when he comes back. Sorry I couldn't help that much best wishes!
2007-11-04 01:19:03 · answer #2 · answered by SpunkRansom<3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My horse is six, and can act like a total idiot when it comes to food, and he paws and sometimes bites people walking past him, too. Give treats, and this should settle her down on the cross ties, etc., but don't let any other horses near her when she is eating, and this should make her feel a little more secure about eatiing.
2007-11-04 01:51:37 · answer #3 · answered by Abbey Road. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say she used to be in a paddock with horses that never let her eat. To me she seems like a horse that is worried her old paddock mates are going to take her food. she is defending and trying to get it as quick as possible...
Or she could be a huge guts like my horse.......
2007-11-03 19:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by Teppi T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the horse im leasing is the same way. i know this sounds harsh, but my trainer gave him a swift slap on the nose when he freaked out the other day. i have never seen him so well behaved after that. normally he rears when we go into the ring. he just stood their looking at me. when we canter, he tries to run away, but rarely gets away with it, he was perfect! you need to show her that you are in charge and that you wont tolerate her doing that!
2007-11-04 03:50:41 · answer #5 · answered by __________ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A novel? It would make a great story.
Poor horsey.
Would she settle for having an apple
when you first arrive?
She's just acting like an animal that's
been hungry before.
Maybe you can retrain her.
2007-11-03 19:33:18 · answer #6 · answered by elliebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋