Why do horses pick up a leg when feeding?

JoBo

JoBo

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Both Bodey and Badger the Fjord pick up a leg or paw when they are eating their tea (Bodey picks up either leg but Badger I have noticed only picks up the right), why do they do this? Anyone know?

Was just wondering while I was standing there waiting for them to finish their teas.
 
I read in a horse magazine that it was due to their frustration at not being able to move around and eat, as in graze on the move because of having to eat out of a bucket in one place.

Makes sense I suppose, but don't know how true it actually is.
 
My 16yr old IDxTB does this. Its ssoooooo funny. It makes him look like a 12.2 pony
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Because they are pretending to be dogs and begging!!
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Saracen does it lots!

Blue scrapes the ground instead usually though he will waggle his leg about looking dopey occasionally !
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I don't know the answer but my horse does it as soon as she hears me in the feed room as well as when eating
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Because they are pretending to be dogs and begging!!

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Oh that makes sense, they have been chatting with my dogs, he, he! It’s funny though don’t you think?
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LOL - obviously one of those little mysteries!!

I was told by stud owner that it was learned behaviour from the mare. Both my girls do it and having seen them with their dams before purchase, the argument would seem to stand up.

Couldn't be certain though
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It's to warn off other herd members (in this case humans), it's the horse equivalent of dogs who growl when they are eating to stop others stealing their food. In the wild it would turn into a full blown stamp of the foot
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It's to warn off other herd members (in this case humans), it's the horse equivalent of dogs who growl when they are eating to stop others stealing their food. In the wild it would turn into a full blown stamp of the foot

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Oh interesting so basically they are telling me to bugger off, that makes sense, they do love their food!
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thought it was a submissive sign i.e im one three legs and cant run?

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Could be that too, usually when Duke does it it's because I have moved nearer him when he's eating and seems to be a warning to 'keep away from my grub'
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It's funny because my mare does this when her bowl is on the ground, but not when she eats out of her manger at breast height.

Ben kicks out with his near hind leg, which he also does when he gets stressed or worried. If I am in the stable with him when he is eating he doesn't kick out, but the minute I leave he starts kicking again. Horses are odd creatures!
 
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I read in a horse magazine that it was due to their frustration at not being able to move around and eat, as in graze on the move because of having to eat out of a bucket in one place.

Makes sense I suppose, but don't know how true it actually is.

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I've always been taught that as well
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Don't know why, but we used to have a little sec A who used to start dancing from one leg to the others and got to such a speed, then his tail would start swishing and he would get down and roll with the bucket on his head, wished we had a video back then, was so funny, we put it down to him being happy, when my Dad bought him he was so week and poor, he had to carry him into the trailer, he was only 11.2hh, went onto be a little superstar /schoolmaster and would jump the height of his ears,
 
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Don't know why, but we used to have a little sec A who used to start dancing from one leg to the others and got to such a speed, then his tail would start swishing and he would get down and roll with the bucket on his head, wished we had a video back then, was so funny, we put it down to him being happy, when my Dad bought him he was so week and poor, he had to carry him into the trailer, he was only 11.2hh, went onto be a little superstar /schoolmaster and would jump the height of his ears,

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I have a sec a that rolls with the bucket on his head! No one has ever been able to tell me why he does it but i think its excitement. He would do it in every bucket if there were several, moving from one to another! He hadnt done it for a while and he got a shiny new bucket one day and he went mad rolling! Makes me laugh so much.
 
Our youngster does this and paws as well, she's a year old tomorrow. The funniest thing though when she's finished she will quite often lie down with her head in the bucket....I must take my camera out and see if I can get a photo of her!
 
My mare does this too although she paws at the ground rather than lifting up a leg. Strange....although i too do not know why she does it. Would very much like to know though, because like you i am curious
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Perhaps they do just get frustrated. x
 
My pony does it and I thought it was to ward off other horses or anyone would might come and steal his food.
 
Bobby does it too. He also picks up his bowl & stares at you accusingly once it's empty. When you don't respond by refilling it, he throws it across the yard.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I read in a horse magazine that it was due to their frustration at not being able to move around and eat, as in graze on the move because of having to eat out of a bucket in one place.

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I heard this as well. I think it makes sense, one of mine does it when he's frustrated like when he can see others eating but he's finished his and in the trailer when he wants out!
 
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