Very odd question - I'm stumped!

only_me

only_me

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My horse does not know (or seem to like) how to eat treats!

I tried giving him a polo, and he spat it back out!

I gave him a carrot, he had a bemused look and have chewed it before spitting back out!

When I went to try again he wasn't interested!

Normal treats he spits out as well...

At his last home he was given grass as a reward, or scratched, which is what I do normally, although tends to be scratched more than anything!

So, advice please! How do I teach him to eat treats?
 
If he doesn't want them I wouldn't bother. Or you could put carrots in his feed, maybe he just doesn't like them. Wish mine didn't, costs me a fortune!! :D
 
Is he young?

If he has a feed put the treat in his bucket to see if that tempts him. Or maybe he just doesn't like the taste.

They have to learn to eat different things- like they may learn to eat hard feed/out of buckets etc because their mothers do when they are babies and they copy.

I wouldn't be too fussed to be honest. I like the fact my weanling is pleased to see me and I know it has nothing to do with her expecting treats!
 
My yearling is the same! Gave him a mint, he crunched and spat it out with what can only be described as pure disgust!
The only thing he seems to love is the crunchy bit of the base of a cabbage.....strange lad!
 
Why do you want him to have treats? If he doesn't want them then I wouldn't feed them.
My youngster used to spit out/drop polos, I think he found them too small.
 
I only give my two a treat when I catch them - they both like carrotts and apples - can I suggest you don't give treats for the sake of it - makes them nippy and rude..
 
Would like to be able to feed him something succulent!
Don't mind so much about polos (although means I can eat them too :p)
He is 4 :)

Oh, he loves nothing more than to chew on the top of my coat! It is lovely to know he likes me, and not just hankering after treats :p

My next step is a swede or turnip - hoping he might like to "play" with that, especially if I hang it up!

Nice to know he isnt the only weird horse :p
 
mcnaughty said:
I only give my two a treat when I catch them - they both like carrotts and apples - can I suggest you don't give treats for the sake of it - makes them nippy and rude..
Click to expand...

I don't give treats to horses in general, that means when they get one they know they have done well.

The question was how to teach a horse to eat them, I never said I wanted to feed them to him all the time ;)
 
i would indulge him on his scratchy bit when he has been good. he really doesnt need hand fed treats! you will have a nicer horse for not feeding him by hand. if you really want him to eat carrots and apples etc chop very finely and add to his dinner!
 
Sorry dont know if this has been mentioned before but could there be anything wrong with his teeth?

If not, dont worry about it, some horses just arn't greedy enough to like treats :)
 
My mare, Jasmine, was the same. She didn't like any treats, would happilly have a wee feed but not interested in a treat from the hand. Wouldn't even eat a carrot at first.

I just played about with things until i found something she liked and couldn't say no to. In the end, that thing turned out to be Dengie's Alfa A. Now she eats pretty much anything. With her, it was more a trust issue, she didn't trust anyone much and even still, trusts me but is weary of other people.

If you really want to, i'd play about with things, there may be something your horse will like. Then again, some just wont take to treats.
 
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