Avalanche
New User
Hi, my horse has become Very stroppy at feed times and will constantly kick the door, this is the first time he has ever done this, what would you all suggest to stop him kicking the door?.
stroppy at feed time
- Thread starter Avalanche
- Start date
Clouds
Member
Does he kick it whilst eating or whilst waiting for his feed??
HaffiesRock
Well-Known Member
Does he have hay/haylage to eat while waiting for the feed? My mare used to get stroppy waiting for her tea when she was hungry at the old yard. It was usually my queue to increase hay/haylage which solved the problem.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
If he has only just started doing this have you changed anything in the feed? If so change it back and see if he stops.
Kezzabell2
Well-Known Member
my boy has pawed whilst he eats since the day I got him at 18 months old! I've tried so many things to stop him and nothings worked! he always kicks the door!
I don't think its stroppy, its just a habit that he has! also when he kicks the door of the stable he knows that he will get fed, so its obviously learnt behaviour, he thinks "I kick, I get food" obviously that's not the case but its hard to stop him thinking that!
I don't think its stroppy, its just a habit that he has! also when he kicks the door of the stable he knows that he will get fed, so its obviously learnt behaviour, he thinks "I kick, I get food" obviously that's not the case but its hard to stop him thinking that!
Clouds
Member
If he's kicking whilst waiting for his food then as kezzabell said he probably thinks kicking the door makes his food come faster. I would suggest that as you walk towards him with his feed, if he kicks then stop approaching him and only walk towards him whilst he's waiting nicely, he will then hopefully learn that kicking the door makes his food come slower and waiting nicely will make it come faster and in theory should stop kicking the door. My friends horse used to do this and it worked with her 
flirtygerty
Well-Known Member
My lad is a habitual door kicker, just because he doesn't like stables, I tie him up with a haynet till I put his feed down, then he has to wait till I tell him he can eat, sounds hard but bargy horses are no fun, my WB mare was food aggressive when she first came, a few sessions with the dually, not letting her dive in her bucket worked wonders, initially just a few seconds, increasing the time gradually, she's fine now, same with the young cob, can't abide lack of manners in people or animals
fawaz
Well-Known Member
If he's kicking whilst waiting for his food then as kezzabell said he probably thinks kicking the door makes his food come faster. I would suggest that as you walk towards him with his feed, if he kicks then stop approaching him and only walk towards him whilst he's waiting nicely, he will then hopefully learn that kicking the door makes his food come slower and waiting nicely will make it come faster and in theory should stop kicking the door. My friends horse used to do this and it worked with her
This is a great idea! When my gelding gets stroppy in the field waiting for his dinner and rears and carries on, I tell him no and put his feed out side his gate out of reach and walk off and come back once he settles.... Sorts him out quick smart!