How do I stop making my horse so aggressive for snacks?

Question

I like to take my horses carrots and apples every now and then as a treat. However, they take it way too far...the minute they see what I have, they start running around, pushing me over, and totally violating my space. It almost gets scary sometimes...they run each other off and dig in the ground. Should I just stop giving them snacks? I don't want to get hurt, and I can't stop them from acting this way!

Answer 1

smack him and say no?????

Answer 2

Quit giving them for a while then make him wait for them.

Answer 3

stop feeding them to him...we have a horse at our barn like that and we just dont give them to him because he also gets too agressive

Answer 4

No more snacks! You're putting yourself in a very dangerous situation and reinforcing bad behavior and manners in the group. I will occasionally feed blueberries to the herd, but I have taught them all they do not do horseplay and other such nonsense when a human is in the field under any circumstances. And you're right; it's scary and very, very rude. Don't end up in the hospital.

ADD: I use a whip, a firm voice, serious horse body language, and a truckload of gumption. They line up in the field for me and herd dynamics are on hold until I'm done with whatever needs to be done. This isn't for treats; this is for everything. But you need to know their language, both how to read it and speak it, so I don't recommend you try this if you're not experienced. A field with more than one horse is one of the most dangerous places to be, if they don't understand how to behave (and even then). Fwiw...

Answer 5

You have to have balance in any relationship, including relationships with horses. I understand your effort to build repport with your horses, but you have to balance it with respect. You have to use love, language, and leadership, in equal doses.

Answer 6

stop giving them snacks for awhile

Answer 7

Stop feeding them treats except after a workout as a reward, period. That is the only long term solution. If that doesn't work they just can't have them anymore. You can still give him treats just always put it in a bucket or feeder never by hand. I have banned hand feeding in my barn because I really have become attached to my fingers and would like to keep them, LOL!

Answer 8

You need to make it clear that this behavior isn't going to get them what they want - as long as they keep acting like jerks and still getting their treats, it's just reinforcing what you don't want them to do.

My TBX had a problem like this, but after a few lessons he won't even stick his nose in an open bag of treats I'm holding. He knows he has to wait for a treat to be offered, he can't just take it.

Your safety definitely comes first. Is there any way you can start this over a fence, or maybe a one-on-one basis with the horse in their stall and you on the outside?

From a safe distance, let them see that you have something for them; but don't give it to them until they're standing still and not being pushy. If they start reaching over to you, assert your "head horse" right and back them the heck up! Let them run around and act stupid - but they don't get anything for it. They'll figure it out eventually; just make sure you're somewhere safe!

(Clicker training worked great for me - it's definitely the way to go if you can start teaching them manners on a one-on-one basis.)

Once they're standing, then treat - then, and only then. It worked so well with my TBX that now he has this cute dressage-esque pose where he tucks his chin to his chest, as if he wants to make it perfectly clear that he's no-way, no-how reaching for those carrots that he really, really wants!

Answer 9

Try this is a smaller space, or at least an area with only one horse at a time. Have somebody confidant/experienced hold the horse's lead rope. Offer the horse a treat, but don't let him have it until he calms down. You say it gets quite scary, so make sure that the person knows how to properly handle a misbehaving horse.

Do this with all the horses, one at a time, once a day, and you'll see improvements very quickly. Of course, the situation will be very different once you try it again in an open field with more horses. Instead of going into the field, stand outside of it, and only give treats to the horses that aren't getting overexcited. Soon the more excited horses will lose interest, or at least calm down. Then you can enter to field and feed them their treats.

Good luck =) It might take time and patience, but it's definately worth it!

Answer 10

When they enter you personal space in disrespect , through your hands up in the air and say  " SSSSHHHHHHH" loudly. you will see that they will back up , then they will realize that you dont like it when they enter your "bubble"  

Answer 11

You must have fed them to him from your hand! You need to start feeding in buckets!

Answer 12

Stop with the treats - they don't need them and sooner or later you are going to get hurt.

It sounds from what you say that you are going into the field among them with the treats - good grief, of course they are fighting and barging, they are competing for the stuff and if it keeps on then it is going to get worse and not better. If you must feed treats give them in the bucket along with the usual feed and feed all horses separately.

Answer 13

maybe try putting like bitter yuck on the treat if they do that