Food defensive Mare

[Hanstag]

I am looking into sharing a horse who seems perfect in every aspect apart from the fact that when feeding her in her stable, she begins to display aggression and does not like anyone near her whatsoever (this includes people walking past)

Her owner believes it is because as a youngster, before she bought her, she was turned out with a lot of others who were left to basically fight it out over the little hay that was left for them.

Other than this, she is an absolute sweetie and so affectionate. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or experience of this?

 

[Clodagh]

I would drop a trug through her door and leave her to it. The top door can always be shut while she eats if she savages people over the top, and her haynet put in while she is out?
I compare it to how I would be if I felt someone was after my G&T on a Friday evening, I would be gin defensive so I prefer not to challenge them about it.

 

[Flowers187]

I wouldnt really see this as a problem , just put the feed ina dn stand back until she is done, one of my horses used to do this, so I used to stand with the bucket and handfeed her it, I did get very messy, but it worked eventually, and then I built it upto standing next to her while she ate (but doing something else so I wasnt staring at her) then I would pat her, and soooo on, now I can do her rugs and everything and she loves a snuggle from me whilst its tea time! They just need to know, your not going to eat it!!

 

[PucciNPoni]

I woudln't bother about it either. I have one like that. He doesn't DO anything, just pulls ugly faces. He's perfect in every other way, so I'm not bothered.

 

[MardyMare]

One of my mares is like that and I just leave her to it and people know to stay away when she is eating although she has never bitten anyone except me when I teased her years ago for pulling faces at me! In winter I let her have a few mouthfuls before going in to do rugs and she pulls a few faces but lets me get on with it. If thats the only problem I dont think its a bad one - at least you can see what you are dealing with.

 

[callmelucky]

my mare is the same, she was left out one winter before i got her with no rug, shelter or food so she protects her food, and i dont blame her. i change her rugs before feeding and leave her to it. doesnt bother me and the other liveries know shes a grump when eating.