Comments on: Too Many Treats

By: Trackgirl

Trackgirl — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:23:35 +0000

Dear HunterJumperLOVERS <3,
I always hear about no hand feeding and why, which makes sense, but at the same time I always have and instructed my kids to keep their hands flat when doing so.
Make sure you are the only one feeding your horse treats, and when you do and you're out of treats, shoo him off. Be firm. Next time you ask him to come to you and he does, give him a treat then if he gets pushy, say no and shoo him off. He'll get the idea and then respect you because that is your issue-respect.

By: J

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:37:05 +0000

Dear HunterJumperLOVERS,3:
I would start out by really limiting the amounts of treats given, and how often. FOr example, I only give my horses a small handful of grain or a piece of an apple when I call them up from the pasture, and they come into their stalls. If they were to ask for more, don’t give them any! If you live by this rule, it will teach them that asking doesn’t get them anywhere.
What has also helped me is I rarely hand feed them treats. Instead, I put the treat in some kind of bucket and set it in their stall. Then, when they come up from the pasture and I open the stall door to go in, they know the treat is waiting. This keeps me out of their way to the treat, and now I am not the one associated with the treat – the bucket is. They can paw and bite the bucket, but the bucket will not produce more treats.
Until you have your new treat routine down, every time your horse asks you for a treat say “no” and if they ask again, tell them to back up to get them out of your personal space. If he persists, as him firmer untill he is a good destance away. Then tell him good boy and leave to go do another chore.
Hope this helps!

By: HunterJumperLOVERS <3

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:25:03 +0000

Ouch! That had to hurt that poor guy! Good advice! My horse Lefty LOVES treats and food! He is at a VERY healthy weight and not unhealthy at all!! He just likes his food! And after you give him a few treats he will sometimes nudge you and be like, “Hey give me more treats.” Even when I am all out of treats. What should I do to break this habit? Can someone please help me? Thanks!! If you want to help me just leave a comment here on this page, beginning: “Dear HunterJumperLOVERS<3" Thanks soooo much! I LOVE this article!!!!

By: Gee and Haw

Gee and Haw — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 05:56:14 +0000

Good advise. Grooming is a fine treat to give. Or a few nice placed rubs or pats.

By: pkl

pkl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:27:49 +0000

I think treats are fine, but you must think reasonable, because a horse is like a small child, will alway want more.

By: Evi

Evi — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:22:45 +0000

Try not to feed it too many treats. My friend’s cat ate to much and it fell and kinda exploded. It killed the cat. Ps. My friend didn’t feed it too much! The cat just ate too much.

By: Nickers

Nickers — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:27:23 +0000

I thought every horse ordered carrots and apples from it menu.

By: shannon

shannon — Sat, 08 May 2010 16:02:39 +0000

now i know to not feed so many treets to my horses!!!

By: sonia

sonia — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:06:53 +0000

Thanks for the advice; I too feed my horse tons of treats (essentially carrots) but if can be a bag at a time. I will make a new year’s resolution to cut down on them.

By: Hahna

Hahna — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:40:10 +0000

Can anyone tell me how to submit a question?