People feeding my horse in field.....

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Tayto

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So I moved my horse to a new yard 3 weeks ago. The yard and facilities are lovely however it has come to my attention that people have been feeding my horse in the field. My girl is very friendly and I can imagine she would speak to people if they were in getting their horses which is fine.

2 people so far have stopped me and said "oh your horse is lovely, I always give her a treat when I go into the field". I was taken a back by this and didnt respond as it was sort of a passing conversation but now I am kicking myself for not nipping it on the bud and asking them (politely) not to feed her. I dont feed her treats as she becomes bolshy and nippy around food.

Up until now recently has been perfect to handle on the ground but has started being a bit bolshy and I wonder if this is because people have been feeding her in the field so she now thinks she can mug me? Obviously my horse should respect me but I have only had her a few months so we are working on building our relationship which had been going well despite a few hiccups.

I dont want to come across as a total bitch to the other liveries but I dont think it is acceptable to feed treats to other horses in the field as you dont know their background i.e. with my one, she nips and becomes bolshy around food.

What should I do now?!

AHHHH - recently it feels like it has been one little niggly thing after another :mad:
 
I would feel annoyed too. It has taken the best part of 9 months to stop my pony mugging and rooting in my pockets. Can you speak to your YO/YM and ask if they can remind all liveries not to tit bit others horses. If he/she won't then perhaps you could just say to the person that whilst you are happy for them to make a fuss of your horse, please don't feed as she has a history of being nippy/bargy.
 
Why dont you calmly speak to a few of the other liveries in passing and explain the situation with her being bolshy around food, and prefer her not to be given treats. Im sure they'll understand and the message will get round. its not that uncommon. You have to make people aware of how you deal with your own horse. I cant imagine anyone will have a problem with this.
 
That's a good idea, I could mention it to the YO. People have been feeding her in her stable too so maybe a polite sign on her door would do the trick. Will try and catch the YO tonight :)
 
I have mentioned it to a few liveries so maybe word will spread..... Seems so trivial but it was at the point the other day that one of the girls who feeds her shouted on her pony while I was leading mine and my horse tried to go to her :(
 
Ever since many years having to look for a finger bitten off in a straw bed(i kid you not and i found it) which was due to visitors feeding titbits at charity centre(think hordes feeding ) i have had a rule. Nil by hand . any treat of a carrot goes on floor so if I found people were feeding titbits i would be angry.i also never feed polos. my horses my rules :)
 
Mmm interesting. When I kept my horse on a large livery yard it was not unheard of for people to offer a bit of carrot or the like to a horse they may be passing in the field when going to catch theirs.

I certainly did it - and I know people did it with my horses.

It never, ever caused an issue. It was not an every day occurrence, and the horses didn't 'expect' it.

The YO always had something in his pocket for catching horses and was never mugged.
 
i feel your pain, I found some workers feeding my horses a bag for life full of apples! I asked them not too but they clearly still do, as they were pulling out of their area the last 2 mornings, which is opposite my field and my youngster was stood there both morning pawing the ground? he hasn't done that in the past when I've seen them! im so angry as he is a bit of a biter and my mare suffers with colic, I don't want them being fed copious amounts of apples
 
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