Preventing aggression at feeding time with horses

[@whoagatv]

Great job - I call it "the food fight" and it's an essential part of the horse/handler relationship. Thanks Warwick!

[@SalStylesAnimals]

shut up, its a stupid job and a good way to create a flighty spooky horse also good way to get kicked.

[@tahliaflancbaum2274]

What the woman did in the video is almost exactly how I got myself kicked and my rib broken. I decided in a split second I shouldn't have been letting my horse push me around but I wasn't careful enough. Swung the feed bucket from behind him and I was on the ground. After I recovered I started taking a lead rope out at feeding time and swinging it around. Now my horse waits respectfully for me to give him the okay to come and eat. I'm happy to say we are good friends again.

[@paulenabroxson2023]

I need to do this with my horse he's not aggressive but he does say I'm gonna get that feed watch this

[@silverkitty2503]

Oh i am glad he learned his lesson and you are ok!

[@moniqueb2558]

Hi warwick. I know this is one of your older videos but it helped me with some feeding issues, you asked for our favorite video and how it's helped me but the thing is all your videos have helped. "Dixie the entire process" truly helped me with my new mustang filly. She's my first horse I'm training by myself and complete honesty she is my first mustang ever... Boy did I bite off a big old peice with trying this adventure and man I wouldn't change it for the world. She has taught me so much... patience being numero uno. I've had her for almost a year and in my first 3 months of having her it was SLOWWW moving as I had to do the gentling processes by complete liberty. At about the 4 or 5 month mark I found you and our baby steps every 2 or 3 training sessions have turned into huge steps almost every training session. You have a way of explaining things that they just tend to click, even if I have to watch the video 3-4 times through I learn something new every time. Because of the knowledge you have been so gracious to give I am now starting the journey to become a TIP trainer & to also adopt and put a good foundation on my mustangs before finding them good homes. Rose my little mustang will die with me and man am I enjoying the journey with her. We are both so greatful for you. Thank you for helping me navigate this new and amazing world. #journeyon20

[@WarwickSchiller]

G'day Monique, thanks for your response! You have won yourself a free year subscription! Just send me an email with your information and I'll get you sorted. [e-mail]

[@moniqueb2558]

@@WarwickSchiller ahhhhhh Thank you sooo much Warwick/Schiller family!!! I am sooo excited I feel like I just won the lottery!! THANK YOU!!!

[@klaudiad6053]

That flagging stick came outta nowhere!

[@ss-cj5in]

Lol that's what I thought.

[@cathytai]

So grateful I found this video. Thank you. It might have saved my life or at least stopped me from inadvertently raising a dangerous colt. I'm a rank newbie caring for several horses on my own (mares and geldings), and now a yearling colt (who wasn't born here, and when he did come here with his mom was loose in my pasture for a few months until I could get a place built for him). So it's been a huge learning curve and I was concerned about pushiness and impatience when I went in to feed him (thankfully he is still submissive but . . .) Not knowing any better, I was allowing him in my space more than I should, so of course it was getting worse. But I wasn't sure what to do different, or how. After watching this video things cleared up. I got a riding bat/crop to take down to the barn with me. Headed down to the colt's 'stud pen' this afternoon with a different mindset. Started to catch my own bad habits (some of them at least) (isn't it frustrating when you find you're making the very mistakes you're intent on not making?) and was resolute in the end result I wanted. That for me was key! This vid gave me the picture. I ended up having him move off to the far side of the small paddock, and stand still and respectful before I hooked his grain feeder onto the fence rail. Only took a matter of seconds, less than a minute I think, and waving the bat a couple times as I directed him out of the stall ahead of me, and once or twice popping it on the post to get his attention and back off in the paddock. Then I hung the feeder and walked around between him and the bucket for another minute or so, watching him out of the corner of my eye, as if I wasn't the least bit concerned that he'd move in, and I had all the time in the world to enjoy owning my grain. When he relaxed, stood quietly and took the psychic pressure off ME (you know the look, lol), I casually and slowly turned and walked back into the stall and out. He didn't move toward the feed until I was in the stall. I think tomorrow I need to work on getting him to back away when I enter the stall (his paddock is attached to the back of the stall where there is an open double-Dutch door) without him turning his butt to me (he has never offered to kick but somehow I trained him to walk away rather than back away - Like I said, I am totally a newbie.) I have so much to learn it's daunting, often overwhelming,sometimes scary - but I think today was a big step in the right direction. If I did something wrong in my feeding session today, I welcome feedback. THANK YOU.

[@HollyT95]

Anybody would think you were cold Warwick with all those hoodies on! This is one thing I have always had sorted with my horses, from day one. They know when I come towards them with food that they have to get out and wait. I don't even have to be in the same paddock for them to sort themselves out. They can see me coming with food several paddocks away and by the time I get to their paddocks they will be well away from the gate and fences, and will stay out of my space until I am out of the paddock again. It's great! They realised pretty quickly that you get fed faster when you're out of my way.

[@rightcoast7049]

I don't even have horses anymore, but I love your videos. You are very skilled at what you do!

[@OB-One-Fire-Talks]

Horse master thank you for the video.

[@podunk_woman]

We do this with our dogs. They aren't allowed to eat until they are given the go ahead. I don't know why I hadn't extended it to the horse, but I will now

[@GunSlinger999]

Lmfao red dead redemption got me watching horse videos lol but there actually interesting

[@snickersandkaytie]

I like how he said "mentally pushing on you."

[@jessica-walt]

yep. feeding is no exception. don't let the horse make a face at you.

[@RickyJr46]

These animals are adorable and they pack tremendous destructive power. It's so very easy to get engaged in the one aspect and lose sight of the other. I worked for decades in an industry with many high-energy hazards where it was necessary to brief people on what to expect before every job. Some thought reviewing hazards was tedious, but it kept us safe. A friend is about to acquire a horse for her daughter, and I will help her create a checklist of dos and don'ts that she can review prior to approaching the horse each day, this would help her and everyone else be safer. Tack that list on a fencepost where it's easy to see. Spending a minute getting your head screwed on right might prevent the horse from kicking it off!

[@brendareed8412]

I wish I had that checklist - consciously thinking about safety is key.

[@HorseMuse]

great training. I think many folks don't know a horse, mare especially can strike in 25 ft.

[@tarparlin]

Great video I knew a horse who has sadly died would have benefited from this. He showed aggression at mealtimes. .. cheers

[@tarparlin]

+Carol Van Pala no they didn't he was aways the same with his food, he died of old age happy in his field x

[@lovetobeahorse8566]

Pauline Malton R.I.P.

[@justj69]

My horses & I have a certain way we do it. My gelding stands in his coral & waits but he stands back out of my way until I put the feed bucket up. I pat him on the head then he eats. My mare waits outside the coral until I hang her bucket up on the other end then she comes in, gets a pat then eats. It used to be chaotic at feeding time bc my gelding was a food bully & my mare was super young & wild. It just takes time & some mutual respect of boundaries. Horses need consistency.

[@mariarockstad306]

Great video! Thank you!

[@OB-One-Fire-Talks]

Are you the master of the horse or the horse is the master. Always be in control.

[@yesterdayfarm5273]

@2:46: THAT could have easily turned out quite differently, right there! 😲😲😲

[@djangoapple8230]

Good video. I forwarded it to my wife because we've got a pushy mare. Thanks

[@jaisingh-ip9pi]

very nice horse

[@littlebrookreader949]

Good lesson!

[@Baranaiidaa]

Oh thank you for this video! Now, my horse isn't aggressive when it comes to food etc but he's always "on" you and always want to be where you are. He's having a hard time respecting personal space (even tho it's getting better every day) and he's even like that with horses, they or I tell him to go away and then he's right back a moment later. Or the other horse tells him to go away, he just goes around to the other side and tries again to be there. I guess he'll learn eventually, but this video helped me out with being more clear of what to do in these situations. :)

[@olivianeacsu]

wonder if the horse does not pin the ears towards the other horse, to keep him away

[@ellisj2046]

Thank you

[@alex13stone]

thanks very helpful

[@ryanervin6913]

What kind of fence is that ?? Is electric that you can step on? Like how it slides…

[@gailfreese3849]

I would have like to see her work with the really aggressive mare rather than the low horse.

[@julicallahan3519]

The process is the same, although it's much easier if you first work with the aggressive horse on its own. Putting yourself in a field with multiple horses during feeding time, and trying to teach them ALL to stay back and stay calm, is quite a challenge. Also, far safer to have that food mixed and ready before you step into the field-- as others have noted, spending time mixing it takes your attention away from the potentially aggressive horse.

[@Sacha-h9i]

Hi Warrick, I have a yearling who gets right in my face at food time. When I ask her to go with my hands, she turns her bum on me and the furtherest she will go away is 1m then she's right back. She also rears and runs around until i give it over. She doesn't have boundaries around this yet so won't go like the horse in the video. Should I use a flag? I'm planning to use your methods with her and don't want her to think the flag is negative. Also is it a good idea to go for your subscription for a yearling? Shes my first baby.

[@UtterlyHooves]

Ive been doing this by carrying my lead rope with me and chasing her off. she just keeps coming back .. maybe i need to be patient and keep doing it until she stops.. i wasnt sure if i was even doing the right thing i just didnt want her running over me for food aha

[@itscharleee4075]

My horse tries to stick his head intge bucket when im over the fence and he doesnt leave me alone until he has his food, do i do what she did in this video or something different?

[@Alex-horsman]

Hello! On your opinion, is it possible to feed hay to the horses all the year round together with some carrots (other vegetables) or oats if needed, some minerals as free choice, I mean without green grass or grazing, because of absence of such a possibility? Thanks for the answer.

[@TheAnneandEmilyShow]

Warwick, my mare has tried kicking me twice when i shoo her to back up to wait for her food. It's gotten to the point where I use my broom just to get my space! please help!

[@TheAnneandEmilyShow]

Also when she tries kicking me i get rid of her grain that day.

[@WarwickSchiller]

+Tuesday Nights You would not want to start trying to yield the horse away from you when theres food involved, you would get that sorted first.

[@TheAnneandEmilyShow]

what would you suggest?

[@GroovySpleen]

Warwick I know you’ve changed your philosophies on working with horses a lot since this video, do you find this is still how you’d recommend dealing with food aggression?

[@danceswithhector5867]

A mere 9 years later 🤣 but I'm wondering if the second horse ever got to eat her dinner? Bc the one that got fed first was way more dominant and likely chased the second horse off her feed!

[@mickfrese9161]

so when does the pony get it's feed??

[@sofiaacevedo4085]

When you leave 🙂

[@Mollymolly321]

Perfect. That was really good…. That was really good because it was really bad 😂

[@jaymeelang11]

What kind of training do you do?

[@mischeife4084]

Hi Warwick, I've recently bought a mare that when you ask her to get out of your space (as seen in this video) even without food she will turn and point her hind quarters at you and make it pretty clear she's threatening to kick. What's the process with that? Obviously wanting to stay safe but also not wanting to ignore the issue as well. I'm new to this behaviour in a horse! Thank you for the videos they are all quite helpful!

[@ChristinaLoveletting]

Mischeife I’m no expert, but I always carry a flag stick with me and wave it in such situations. It works immediately. Nothing aggressive (unless needed) but just a firm wave to show the horse it’s not okay what it’s doing. Hope that helps and always stay safe and away from the butt.

[@laurenjazz2934]

Hi I feed my horse in a stable and he always kicks or pins his ears if anyone goes near him. I tried a lot but just doesn't work can you help me please

[@WarwickSchiller]

+Lauren Jazz29 Have you done any groundwork with him ?

[@laurenjazz2934]

+WarwickSchiller yes Julie crompton is my instructor and he is coming on really well but he is just so dominate and thinks he's the boss so I have to remind him that he isn't

[@jaymeelang11]

Lauren Jazz29 what state do you live? I have a lady that's been helping me with my 8 y/o mustang & she's a lot better now & not all pushy

[@jaymeelang11]

Lauren Jazz29 or I would keep him moving & when he decides to stop whatever he's doing then you can feed him

[@magdalenagauderon3754]

i suppose its mean what you say.:)and say it clear:)handy little pocket stick:)

[@katehickcox5048]

Do you have one for feeding in the stall? Far too many people just want to do it quickly and it makes for pushy, possibly dangerous horses. At the therapy center I work at, our horses have to do three things to get their feed. They have to back away from the door and let us in, go stand at the far side of the stall while we dump the feed into the tub, and wait until we step away from the tub. I've been known to stand there for 30 seconds or more if I think a horse is starting to forget how it works. Until we move away from the tub, the food belongs to us. If anyone doesn't feel like following the rules, we leave the stall, feed all the others, and then go back to the one that was pushy. By then the offending horse has usually decided to behave! Two of the six we have came in so bad they would practically knock you down before you even got to the tub. One was owned by little children who just couldn't admit that their pony ever did anything wrong. The other lived with with 89 of his best friends and was allowed to be a brat for all of his 13 years before we got him. The children's pony was far easier to fix as only children had let him be naughty. The other got his way constantly with adults. I've seen a correlation between manners around food and overall manners. The one who had been pushy with adults at feeding time was also terrible at the mounting block and was a pushy space invading nippy obnoxious smart ass when being lead.

[@pigeonlove]

Kate Hickcox ever thought about getting another job?

[@Mrswitchbitchiswhich]

Wish i watched this video 4 months ago. Had a food aggressive horse that was a bugger to feed let alone try discipline at feeding time. This is handy now with my own boy. Not nasty food aggresive. Just a dork when i walk in the paddock and tries to put his head in the bucket. I chase him. Backs off. Waits. Just wish he got the idea not to try and eat it while I'm walking.

[@mdee860]

👍👍👍❤🐴 If you're going to be the herd leader, you can't do it just 'sometimes' - you have to be the leader ALL the time, whether riding, on the ground & at feeding time.

[@kiauni6818]

I about had a heart attack when she was shooing away his behind. Isn't it horse 101 don't stand behind the horse? Only on the sides.

[@JustElly]

very interesting. I don't aggression with feeding but one of the horses get pushie and greedy when other horses are around so he tries to claim me for his own to get all the food for himself. I always tell him to go away if he isn't able to contain himself. Which works just fine. But still every time he tries to get me for himself to get all the food so every time i have to tell him to back off or he wont get anything. sharing is caring :p he has to learn it someday. But then again he is a shetland pony i am pretty sure he knows but just tries it anyway.

[@SalStylesAnimals]

of course he picks the more easy going horse to work with. IF the horse is safe you do not need to do anything. By making her scare away the horse during feeding she is setting herself up to be kicked. THis idiot women should not be feeding horses she is asking to get kicked in the head.

[@onituastum7721]

He almost got muay thai horse kicked back to jesus resuraction

[@noneya9536]

Uhhh her body language has kick me all over it . Chasing was not the assignment

[@itrash3459]

Sally is an npc