Aggression during feeding

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Rosesandhorses

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Hi. I was hoping that I could get some advice around aggression during feeding. I have retired horses that I keep in a field with no access to stabling etc- literally just a field. I have never had any particular problems with this but have recently had to retire my big TB due to health problems and he has quickly become the most dominant member of the herd. When he was in work he had a tendency to get a bit big for his boots every now and again but as he had lots of contact with me and I could ride him I could keep him in check. He has been out a few months and now seems to think he is dominant over me which has actually come on really quickly. Unfortunately when I was recently feeding them he turned on me and kicked me with both back legs- I have somehow been lucky enough to come away relatively unscathed but obviously this is not acceptable. I am planning on catching him and putting his bridle on and making him walk with me and just doing some stopping, turning etc but he won't be able to do much more than that. Does anyone have any advice on how to cope with this? I am an experienced horse owner and have dealt with stroppy horses in the past but have never had one turn on me. Thanks
 
I had a TB turn on me in the field when I didn't put his feed bucket down quickly enough. Got me with both back hooves in the gut and took me off my feet. I think food aggression is more common in horses that have been restricted with food e.g. ex-racers. We came to an understanding eventually when I wielded a broom at him each time I went near him with food.
 
I definitely think that could be the case with him- I've taken to having a lunge whip with me and haylaging them first to try and get him out the way. I just don't know where he's got it into his head to kick me. He's never been mistreated and did raise a back leg at me when I was checking his rugs. This is new behaviour...
 
Had same thing with then my 3yr old even got to stage of kicking out with both hinds, this was not long after I got her.
Only advice & worked for mine only allow him near the feed bowl on your terms, if he starts getting funny while eating shoo him off feed, till he is calms and accepts the food is now yours, then allow him to continue feeding. Prob sounds odd but worked for mine, though allow yourself some time for first few days.
 
Is there a way to manage this so you dont go in the field? Can he be fed further down from the others where you just drop the bucket over the fence?

Failing that I would seriously consider arming yourself with a decent crop/ schooling whip or as someone has said a broom and give him what for if he tries it again. Maybe a good hefty wack will put him back in his place and give him a shock to the system that you are not to be bullied?
 
We've got a filly foal (weanling) that behaves like this. Sadly her mother always booted her off a feed bucket, so she had her feed separate (all the other foals shared with their mums). Now, in a herd of foals and no mums, she goes for everyone else, trots round, herding them allover the place, and if you aren't quick with putting the feed out, she'd swing round. NOT nice. In the same sentence, you can't blame her, with a witch of a mother!! If she was mine, I'd be armed with a schooling stick, but alas, can't do that. Just have to have eyes in the back of my head!
I wouldn't hesitate to be armed in your situation OP. AND wear a hard hat!
 
I've got a mare that is grumpy around feed but that is in her stable.

Attempting to feed more than one horse together in a field is a bad idea. Two horses - you can stand in between them with a broom anymore than that and you wont be able to keep them under control. If your feeding others and not him i can understand why he is getting the hump. Also as i've recently learnt (my own stupid fault) some horses are particularly possesive of their feed and are best fed in a quiet environment where they can be left to get on with it in peace. Or if your feeding him and not the others can you remove him from the field and feed him the otherside of the gate, not ideal as the others will stand there drooling but better than getting beaten up
 
If you can't take the horses out to have their feeds in peace, could you tape off small holding pens they could be fed in? Presumably they have different size/contents for their feeds, and if one of the horses starts to become agressive around food it will disrupt feeding for all of them and they will start chasing each other off and swapping feeds. If its just your boy who has a feed, just one small area taped off so he could eat in peace?
 
It might sound 'chicken' but I think feeding more than one horse in a field is trouble waiting to happen, it has to be one of the most dangerous times when you're looking after horses and I'd rather 'waste' half hour by fetching them in and turning back out than going in with feeds to them; I've just known too many people get hurt by doing it.

With your horse I'd be inclined to chase him off if he showed the smallest sign of aggression towards me whether that means a broom, a rubber skip or a lead rope thrown at him but I wouldn't stand for it at all, I'd be mad - and bad to him until he realized that contrary to his thoughts, I am actually the boss and nobody tells me to move away.
 
I have a similar situ in that I have horses living out, who get fed in the field. Mine aren't remotely aggressive towards me though, and as long as I stick to the tried and tested routine, they don't argue amongst themselves either.
There is a very clear hierarchy, and only the boss horse really needs the hard feed, so he gets a bigger feed, given to him first, then the mare gets a small feed, and I head off down the fenceline with the wimpy one. He gets a tiny feed which he finishes before the mare finishes hers and comes to chase him off! Alf doesn't finish his til I've checked rugs and picked out the other two's feet. He then rocks up for a rug check, feet and a fuss, while the other two head off and graze. It sounds complicated, but it works beautifully!

I don't go into the field to fed btw - I put their buckets through the fence
 
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