Monty Roberts - does anyone know why??

I feed my horses treats by hand. They have good manners and do not mug me. It is a reward for them . I can see it could be a problem if done indescriminately.
 
I only give my mare a treat if she has behaved well or done a trick. She is never bargy and never nips but if she did, I would stop with the feeding by hand.
 
Excellent post Brightbay....I think you nailed it!
I knew a Lion Tamer many years ago who trained his lions by rewarding them with small nuggets of meat by hand. This is how circus trainers and pro animal trainers get results, and these people can have incredible relationships with their animals.

I treat / reward mine by hand all the time - if they search (politely) for a treat, I show them them my empty hand, say the key words and they know that there's no treats coming.
 
Dry Rot said:
Watching performing horses in a circus at least 50 years ago, I noticed the handler giving occasional rewards (it looked like slices of carrot). That convinced me then of the value of giving an occasional reward, but not treats. No free lunches here!
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Rewards for whatever reason are fine, the horse does learn they have to "earn" them, treats are usually given to make the handlers feel good and are not always used appropriately hence some pushy rude horses, it is all about timing some people get it right others don't, thinking of treats as a reward rather than as a treat makes sense and is a better way of putting it.
 
NZJenny said:
I think feeding treats to horses is something done to make humans better, rather than being of any benefit to the horse. In the same way people reward children with food (ducking and running now).
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Unless it's something done to teach horses to behave in the ways we want (including displaying good manners), in which case it benefits both human and horse. :)

I prefer to rub their forehead when I'm on the ground, as head towards me is always a good thing and a scratch on the neck when I'm riding, as it's easy and convenient.
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I'm glad you mentioned non-food rewards. These can be very effective too, and some would argue more natural - although horses don't usually rub/scratch each others' foreheads or necks in this way (mutual grooming being rather different).

equi said:
Train without food and you'll be much happier in the long run!
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Perhaps, perhaps not. It depends on the people and horses involved.

Barnacle said:
What I say to people is that they should only give horses treats when they have asked for something from the horse and the horse has given it. And if they (the person) seem reluctant to comply, I burden them with responsibility and explain that their every action influences the horse and they are therefore an integral part of the horse's training context. They have to behave accordingly.
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Sadly not everyone appears to appreciate this. I wish they did. Indiscriminate feeding is a recipe for disaster.

Sukistokes2 said:
Everyone is entitled to their view and opinion, however I sometimes find that some people views can be absolute and a bit overbearing ......each to their own, live and let live, there is more then one path, you take the high road and I'll take the low road..........
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I agree. Absolute statements - such as "(all) horses fed treats by hand are pushy" - are simply incorrect, even if well meant.
 
littleshetland said:
I treat / reward mine by hand all the time - if they search (politely) for a treat, I show them them my empty hand, say the key words and they know that there's no treats coming.
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Using some sort of distinct marker or cue that a treat is coming can be useful too. It doesn't have to be a click. That way, horses associate the treat with the marker and not with your hand (or any other part of you). Horses aren't stupid and very quickly learn that your hand isn't anything special, in the sense of being a repository for food - or never learn it in the first place. Ditto pockets, to answer ChesnutsRoasting's question.
 
I will not feed polos, too much sugar and too sweet and sticky, I have always found they become far more hung up on sweets than carrots and apples, although those too are full of sugar!

I am governed by the horse, some get more treats than others for various reasons. I do reward with things, quite often after a ride I will jump off as I am coming down the drive and pick a handful of something nice on the verge for them. Some horses get rude, others don't.

I let my horses hedge pick in the Spring, I like that they are finding things that are full of the right vits and mins for them and I don't find it makes them do it all the time. They are obviously not allowed to just help themselves as and when but I do stop quite regularly and let them have a rummage.
 
WOW! What can I say, a great response by all for my question - thank you.

Some great answers in here and some really interesting reading in the replies.
As discussed in most of the above posts, it's apparent there is no right or wrong when feeding our horses by hand its just a matter of our individual opinion.

Tit-bits all round! :-)
 
I do think timing is critical. For example, a horse reaches forwards to get a reward from one hand and in the same split second has to brush past the stationary right hand. That easily becomes a reward for being caught. But get the timing wrong and the plot fails and it becomes a treat for snatching a tid-bit!
 
Dry Rot said:
I do think timing is critical. For example, a horse reaches forwards to get a reward from one hand and in the same split second has to brush past the stationary right hand. That easily becomes a reward for being caught. But get the timing wrong and the plot fails and it becomes a treat for snatching a tid-bit!
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Spot-on comment!
 
I treat mine for standing at the mounting block or on the ground after having to get off to do a gate. He's always been impeccable at the block and to do gates. I never treat at any other time
 
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