OMG Horse tryed to kick mee!!!!!

I am a little concerned by this post that there is absolutely no common sense. Firstly, if your horse in uncomfortable with you being near whilst eating then leave it to it. If you only have 10 mins and this is all it takes then either ask someone to feed the horse before you get there and if not possible then feed in the morning and skip out in the evening.

I am not understanding why just because your parents take you to the yard, you cannot get there earlier? The horse should be your first priority and should not be rushed. Do you turn out with others? if not then can you not feed the horse in the field?

I have a horse that is a demon for food, he swishes his tail and pulls faces before you have even got through the door with his bucket, he is much better than he was but it has taken a lot of time and patience. He can be tied outside his stable when I want to be in there and he is fine eating his dinner there. In the field is another thing and he will double barrel you before you get in with his bucket, I normally chuck it on the floor and leave him to it. I can however then go up to him and fly spray or groom him and he is fine.
 
i must agree with millitiger here - if this was me i'd work through it and the horse would learn it was not acceptable behaviour

i can do anything to my horse at any time and she knows never to lift a leg at me - she's also a cheeky madam with plenty of characture so its not like she is not allowed to have a personality - she just knows not to mess with me (alas she's a canny beast though and i do have to be careful with her and other folk! :rolleyes:)

BUT saying that in your situation i'd be inclined to feed and leave then muck out after school - or tie her in a safe place to eat whilst you muck out...
 
i would like to just add in to my post again
both my horses dont care when i go in to them i simply choose not to
i do agree with working through the problems but if you only have 10mins to feed and muck out im gonna gett your mare is getin peed off .. it might be better to put her outside while you muck out as she can then relax with out having someone keep moving her to be able to muck her out. How far are your stables from your house?
 
Tinypony said:
I think respect is an over-used word when it comes to horses. What happened to a bit of mutual respect? It's all my way or the highway with some people isn't it?
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Totally agree. I mean, sure, you should be able to walk round a horse if it's eating and you can do some slow desensitising to make sure you can, but I wouldn't want to be bugged when I'm eating so I give my own horse the same courtesy.
 
If someone were to start hoovering and dusting right next to me while I was eating my tea, I may feel pee'd off aswell. Surely the horse deserves to eat in peace. Not everything has to be about showing the horse who is boss. Yes you could choose to 'not accept' this and spend time teaching the horse it has to eat while you shovel it's sh*t about next to it.
 
you may feel pee'd off but would you threaten to wallop them?

what if it was when you were a kid and it was your mum cleaning around you- would you try and kick her or punch her?

i really can't believe people don't think this needs to be worked through... you may not want to go in when your horse is eating (i don't) BUT i know i can if i want to or need to.
 
Whilst I agree that a sensible alternative needs to be found until more time is available to work out the issues, i do agree with what millitiger is saying. When I first got my mare as a youngster, although she would never dream of kicking at meal times, she was a little bit bolshy when i was near her food and would put herself infront of me if she thought i was coming near her. I think she had been part of a large-ish herd before i got her so probably had to defend her food from other horses. Now, this isnt as serious a problem as the OP has, but im sure it was the beginnings of it. I also wont be dictated to when and what i can do with my horses, they have to fit into my routine, not the other way around. I treat them with respect, but also as the dangerous animals they are capable of being and therefore these sort of issues must be sorted, not allowed to continue because it is "polite". It didnt take long to get my mare out of her defensive mindset around her food, i started off just hand feeding her the entire bucket of food so she realised that in order to get her food, she had to put up with me being there. Then i just stood with her in the stable while she ate it, grooming her or just standing next to her, and now i can do whatever i wish when she is eating and she wont object to it.

Obviously, wherever possible it is best to leave a horse to eat its food in peace, but i dont think its safe to literally not be able to get to it when its eating.

Back to the OP though, i would be very, very suprised if on a livery yard (as i assume this is!) there is no where safe to tie the horse to eat. Speak to the YO and im sure they will find a suitable place for you to put her while you muck out.
 
I have never had a horse that gets grumpy around its food but I have got a dog that will try to guard he's bowl now and then but I wont let him away with it so why should a horse be any different?

The way I look at it is if any of my animals starts eating something they shouldnt I need to be able to take it off them and not be scared to do so.

hope you get this sorted and as for being polite and letting your horse eat in peace thats all very well but ignoring a problem just to be nice is not the answer.
 
millitiger said:
you may feel pee'd off but would you threaten to wallop them?

what if it was when you were a kid and it was your mum cleaning around you- would you try and kick her or punch her?

i really can't believe people don't think this needs to be worked through... you may not want to go in when your horse is eating (i don't) BUT i know i can if i want to or need to.
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No but i'm not a horse (well :p) But my point is surely 10 mins to eat in peace is not much to ask. I may ask my mum if she could turn the hoover off whilst I eat, a horse can't do that. :)
 
I must be really lucky

I can do anything to my horse whilst he's eating, groom, muck out he doesn't give a monkey's

I would suggest going earlier or tying her up outside the stable while you muck out. If she's a good doer, does she need feeding in the morning ? Just give her a carrot and chuck her out in the field then you can muck out.

10 mins is not very long, I'm not sure what you could get done in that time. Do you turn her out as well or just go and muck out and feed ?

You could go and muck out, feed her before you leave and ask someone to turn her out for you.

How far is the stables away from where you live ? I used to get up at 5 and go and feed my pony before school, I think you should ask your parents if they could take you earlier, I think you need at least half an hour if you're going to feed her first
 
If she's always been a grumpy so and so, fair enough, but if she is now kicking out at you or turning her back end on you and getting away with it, it needs to addressed asap, no horse of mine get away with kicking out at me, I don't care if its 'their food their time' I'm not a horse, therefore I will not be treated as one, you are your horses master and you need to be able to work safely around her. If the horse has already come to you with this nasty habit then I'd feel differently but she's now learning to control you.

It's clear from your posts you don't have time or don't wish to go down earlier, so you need to be able to skip her out while she's in the stable eating, if she'd done that to me, she'd of felt the sharp end of my boot put it that way.

You need to re apply your authority and control around her, which could take while but it will pay off, then introduce her feed time again, remind her through ground work etc who wears the trousers in the outfit, until she learns her place, if she's only just started doing it, you have a chance now to stop her, before she seriously injures you.

If you not sure how to go about it, get someone experianced to help you.
 
I've had one horse that could not bear to have me with her fiddling about while she was eating. So I let her have her peace, and when she finished eating she as as nice as pie. She never kicked me to let me know she wasn't unhappy, I took notice of her at a much earlier stage. I look at these situations like this. What is the cost of allowing the horse to eat in peace? Needing to get up 10 minutes earlier. What happens if I don't let the horse eat in peace? The horse gets pissed off, and feed times become more and more tense. What happens if I force the horse to tolerate me when they eat? I probably haven't changed the way the horse feels about things, but I have made them bend to my will and "respect my leadership" or whatever.
Just because the horse is allowed this little thing every day, it doesn't mean it's going to spill out into every day life and every thing you do will become a "challenge". It's context-specific, in this situation, the horse is asking for a bit of space. That doesn't mean it will start to kick out at you in other situations, or if it did that you should tolerate that. In this particular situation I am saying give this individual horse some respect and leave it in peace for the few minutes it needs to eat.
(I asked if it got turned out because if it does, and it only has one meal a day, I wouldn't feed am at all, but put it to bed at night with the feed and go home).
 
10 minutes isn't much to ask and as i said, i don't go in with mine when they eat usually, but if i am in a hurry i know i can without being threatened with kicking.
it is a basic thing to be able to go into a horse's stable without being threatened and i just find it very odd that people see no issue with it.

funny you say you wouldn't punch your mum because you aren't a horse- i was merely highlighting that everyone was saying what they would do if it was dusty, eating in a toilet etc- humanising their horse.
 
"I have never had a horse that gets grumpy around its food but I have got a dog that will try to guard he's bowl now and then but I wont let him away with it so why should a horse be any different? "
Because horses and dogs are different species, their priorities, social structures and behaviour are completely different. Horses do not have a pack mentality.
 
I see what you're saying. I suppose if you needed to get into the stable for whatever reason, it would be nice to do so without being kicked :D
 
Gosh my poor horse..the moment he puts his head into his bucket he picks up his first foot ready to be picked out! He doesn't have a problem with anyone doing anything around him when he is eating, and to be honest it is not something I would tolerate. Whilst in an ideal world he would be left to eat it in peace, it is not always possible.
I think that it is important you are able to be around your horse when it is eating and that the OP should find the time to work through this with her horse. If it is sudden, then the reasons behind it need to be investigated. Has this been brewing for a while? For now, while you can't spend much time there, then I would tie her up outside while you muck out. As an owner, if there are other people around, then it is your responsibility to make sure they know to keep away from her back end. As owners, they should be well aware that they should anyway. Children shouldnt be allowed to run around a yard near tied up horses either.
Take some time to desensitise her a bit & hopefully she will realise you are not going to steal her food and that she can relax while you do the hard work!
 
I agree that if needs be you should be able to go in a stable whilst your horse is eating in case of an emergency or in a one off situation where you are running late and need to do something whilst the horse is eating. But at the same time I also believe that the horse should have it's own time to eat.

OP for the interim I think you should muck out then feed. When you have more time work on getting your mare used to you doing things to her whilst she is eating, but I would do it outside of the stable and build up slowly to avoid getting kicked. And when you can do things with her whilst she is eating, leave her to eat in peace!
 
Tinypony said:
"I have never had a horse that gets grumpy around its food but I have got a dog that will try to guard he's bowl now and then but I wont let him away with it so why should a horse be any different? "
Because horses and dogs are different species, their priorities, social structures and behaviour are completely different. Horses do not have a pack mentality.
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I am fully aware that dogs and horses are different species! but a horse can be a dangerous animal and like i said this problem does need to be sorted incase you do need to take something off it that its eating or go near it while its eating.

I cant see why people would tell you to pussy foot round a problem to be "polite" when a horse is a potentially dangerous animal.

I can go near all my animals while they are eating and not have to worry about being kicked or being bit by my dog. (dog has not guarded for a long time now)
 
Your horse is obviously just wanting to eat her breakfast in peace.

If you "only have 10 minutes" why on earth can't you just get up a bit earlier? Feed her in the stable first while you get on with some other jobs - filling haynets etc., then get her out and tie her up outside and muck out.
 
I too whilst my horses are eating will do jobs round them. In the field whilst being fed, I do their feet, spray them, take off and put back on rugs. They just keep on eating with no fuss.

Ditto the stable, whilst normally they are left to eat whilst I do other jobs outside, if I want to do feet, rugs etc whilst they are eating I will do it and again heads stay in the bowl and no signs of agression.

Having a horse kick out for any reason at you is not to be tolerated. I have had a leg waved at me or a head swung, when having to treat a wound and I just gently put the leg down, or pushed the head away and told them no. In this case, I can understand them objecting, but if they had kicked out or bitten, they would have got told off as telling me they are not happy in these circumstances is acceptable but kicking out or biting is not.

I would start making sure I had a hat and body protector on, and start with having your mare back up and wait a few seconds being fed to show that she had to show respect before food was given. I would then gently stroke her whilst she fed. Any sign of aggression, she would be backed up and then allowed back to the food. I would then slowly build up with maybe grooming whilst being fed, changing water and nets and finally to mucking out. However, to do this you will have to allow extra time in the morning.

You need to start now. I would also be doing a lot of ground work at the same time, backing up, stopping beside you when you stop, turns etc as part of the learning to respect and accept you as the leader. Respect has to be earned, you have to show constant handling, reward when good, discipline when not and this does not mean hard use of a whip. Backing up with aggressive body language is one of the most dominating things you can do to a horse. I am have taken some aspects of natural horseship onboard which can work very well in this situation.

If you start now, allow more time until the issue is resolved and also work on the groundwork then you can nip this in the bud. If you can't, then accept you will have to stay clear of your horse when being fed and make sure there is a sign on the door for people not to go near when she is eating in case she goes for them. Personally I would sort this out as long term it will save you time and also put the relationship back on track.

One last thought as this has just started, is she very hungry, ie does she have any hay left in the morning? I assume she is out during the day and it may be that if you are like us, the grass is now really down and she is coming in more hungry. It might be worth giving a bit more hay overnight unless she is very overweight to see if this the reason for the sudden agression around food. Farra if hungry can be a bit grumpy, though she takes this out on poor Stinky, chasing him away from the gate so she is first to get fed, and will try to be pushy. She is put firmly back in place and I feed him first to show pushy behavior is not accepted and she has to wait 30 seconds for her grub, however I then put out more hay at night to resolve this issue. As said respect needs to be a two sided thing and you can't blame a hungry horse for being a bit pushy so see if this is the case and try a bit more hay at night.
 
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I've one that you can't even go IN the stable with at times. If he's got one on him and you go in, you're getting double barrelled, no question.

Quite simply I leave him to it. He's fabulous in every other way, he respects that I am his boss outside the stable, and so I let him have 'his space' (his stable). I open the door, he comes over, put his head collar on, tie him up outside or pop him in a spare stable. Easy. I HAVE been in his stable with him (albeit with me having hold of his fore lock lol) , but wouldn't dream of mucking out around him eating a feed.

Strangely he now shares a stable with his companion and there's no issue there... it's just people he has a problem with :rolleyes:
 
I can see both sides of this argument. No I wouldn't want to have someone cleaning house around me whilst I was eating.But at the same time I wouldn't want any animal, be they horse or dog (Horsie or doggy?!) challenging me when they've been fed. We spend a lot of time getting dogs used to having their food handled whilst they're eating, for reasons of safety. Doesn't it make sense to do the same with horses?
 
My friends horse was very food agressive when we first got him. Would really swing on you. We spent time standing at his stable door to begin with, then when it was open (us blocking it!), then stroking his neck etc etc. Now we can feed him tied up, or holding his lead rope (when he's living out and we feed him down by the field. We def couldn't do that at the beginning!). We don't choose to however and do leave him to it quietly, but it is good to know we COULD. So you could change her if you give it time.

In the meantime. If you turn her out after her breakfast, why can't you muck out after school? If she has to stay in, why don't you muck her out and then give her breakfast when you leave?
 
No animal should have the "right" to tell you you're not allowed around them when they're eating. They have to get on with it, you shouldn't be dictated by them, you tell THEM what to do.

Obviously this takes work and you do need to be careful in the mean time, but I would spend time teaching her rules and manners. Firstly, does she barge at you when she takes food? She MUST wait before you give her food, and definitely mustn't push etc. Then I'd spend time stood by her head whilst she eats. Don't take the food away from her or anything, just stand there. Then I'd try stroking her, then when she's completely comfortable with that I'd try running your hands over her back, legs etc, then stood to the side of her bum, etc etc etc. She needs to learn she has to accept you in there. Unlike some other posters on this forum, you don't have the time to just wait for her to eat her tea in her own time!!! So you need to work on making it safe.

Could you consider feeding her in her field for the first few times so you have quite alot of space if she does try to bite or kick out?

Good luck! Hope it all goes well. Stay safe though, hat etc! xxxxx
 
Monty was an absolute swine when food was around (just check out the hoof prints on the bonnet of my car!!!!).

Most of the time it was actually easier to organise myself so I didn't HAVE to do anything while he was eating, however in the Winter, I was looking after 6 field kept horses some nights and had to get everything done so would adjust his rug etc when he was eating.

Because of this I would always pick him up on this behaviour. I would NOT tell him off when he made faces, however when he lifted a leg, I found the best thing to do was pinch him on the side. This worked very well, I would never do it hard, just a quick nip.

I personally don't think you can have a horse kicking out at you in ANY situation. It is totally unacceptable!! I understand that you don't want to distress your horse, however in case of emergencies, you need your horse to cooperate in any situation.
 
fumanchu said:
and as if i would tie its legs together, eh?

and neither would the OP be daft enough..if she could get near it..

TBH, advice has been given...and yet again the comback from the OP is negative, always giving a reason why she cannot take such advice.

so i thought if i gave a totally ridiculous answer, she may look at the more feasable ones.
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When have young teenagers looked at feasable answers:p
 
It's been said before but I thought I'd agree..
If the horse is kept in during the day then muck out first then give it it's feed once you're done. It has all day to eat in peace if it wishes.
If the horse is turned out during the day why muck it out in the morning? Feed it (in peace) in the morning, turn out then muck out after school before you bring it in.
This shouldn't take any extra time so no need to drag the patents out of bed any earlier.
I understand that kicking shouldn't be tolerated but the horse has been 'asking' for some peace for some time - I guess it's now trying to shout. 10 minutes peace seems a reasonable request.
 
Tinypony said:
"I have never had a horse that gets grumpy around its food but I have got a dog that will try to guard he's bowl now and then but I wont let him away with it so why should a horse be any different? "

Because horses and dogs are different species, their priorities, social structures and behaviour are completely different. Horses do not have a pack mentality.
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But I don't think its really the pack mentality coming into play with food, is it?

I see it as more "you're not the boss of me, you can't have my food, and I can more you out of my way" - which applies to both horses and dogs, and in my opinion, needs to be addressed in both cases. I'm all for leaving the animal in peace, but I think its only right, as part of the overall training regime, and as a matter of safety that you can, if you so desire, do whatever you need to to the animal whilst eating, or take their feed away from them without being bitten/trampled/kicked etc. Once my horse or dog is accepting of me doing this, then I leave them alone.

However, it appears that the OP doesn't have the time, or perhaps the knowledge to work on this.. so agree with others on the quick fixes available. My suggestion to add to those would be how many feeds is the horse getting per day? Could you feed her in the evening, when you have more time?
 
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