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Discussion on Feeding a treat after riding
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 11:05 am:
I just got chewed out by a friend because I always give my horses a little bit of grain after I ride and turn them out. They are always cool and groomed, with plenty of time to get back to normal before I give it to them, but my friend says I am asking for trouble and gave me dire warnings of all sorts!
By a "little bit" I mean about a cup full of whatever is their normal hard feed.
I was taught to do this forty years ago by my childhood mentor, an old cavalry colonel.
Is there any reason I should stop the practice?
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Member:
Zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 11:24 am:
Erika, I was taught the same thing many decades ago in fact after the horses cooled down they are given "treats" in a bucket and we groomed at that time. But then I always have given treats during training and been "smacked down" many times. But it works for me and mine. Cindy
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 12:01 pm:
My father was in the Horse Cavalry, btw, and he did this same thing! What was the reasoning behind the "chewing out?" I can't imagine what the problem would be.
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Member:
Mcbizz
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 2:01 pm:
I groom and treat too, after a ride, which is never very strenuous, so don't usually have to worry about the horse being too hot. The only reason I can see why someone would object to this is if a horse is too eager to get home and jigs all the way with the treat looming too enticingly in his/her mind...I have had this happen, so groom but don't treat right away.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 2:36 pm:
Sometimes I treat after a ride . . . several of the horses like peppermints . . . and sometimes I don't treat except to give the horses a pat and a verbal barrage of praise. Never thought about the treat as a reason for the horse to jig home; just figured the horse wants to get back to his buddies . . . that gives us opportunity to work on some rushing home issues. I, too, am interested in why folks are discouraging you from giving a treat after work, Erika.
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Member:
Redalert
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 3:10 pm:
Hey All
I always feed a treat right after riding, well, that is ,if we had a good ride. If things went badly, then no treat. Sometimes my horse looks at me like, "where is it?",and I say, "Are you kidding?" "What are you looking at me for?" I always try to end on a good note,though, so that is the last thing in the horse's mind, so they usually do get a treat, as well as a pat, soft comment, etc. , but I always like for them to be comfortable in the crossties where I tack and untack, so that in itself is a separate issue (behavior in the crossties) and they feel calm and comfortable there, which is a bit off the subject, I guess, however, there is nothing I know of that would be bad as far as giving a treat after riding! I just think it is a nice thing you do for your horse after he did a nice thing for you!
Nancy
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Member:
Boomer
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 3:12 pm:
Do what you think is best for you and your horse. Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to things like this.
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Member:
Leilani
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 3:23 pm:
I feed my mare bits of carrots or cubes as a reward. If she starts to get pushy, I just move her head back to the position I want. No arguments (usually). I had to come up with something when I removed her metal shoes and bought Easy Boot Bares, which by the way are not all that easy . She now stands untied when I saddle her and put her boots on. It took me awhile, but well worth it. Leilani
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 4:08 pm:
Once my mare is cooled, I too give her treats as I take off tack and brush her - usually one or 2 during the process and always one right before I say goodbye. On a particularly cold night or after a really good ride, I may occasionally give her a handful of grain. The only reason why I am conservative is that she's an easykeeper.
Everyone I know treats their horse after a ride and I've never seen any ill effects
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 4:52 pm:
Oh, I"m so glad we concur! I think my friend is a very hands on horse person. She gives shots of Banamine after strenuous rides as "preventives" because she doesn't like the way a certain horse looks,etc.
She has always had a lot of criticism for the way I do things (BTW, this is the same girl that borrowed my horse for the hunt and changed bits and added a martingale. And also shaved my horse's face--with a twitch involved). I just wanted to know if I was too "rustic".
I grew up in the West where horses were in barbed wire and never saw a stall. We rode them until we were both tired. She prefers blankets and baths.
Most of the time, I know I am doing fine, but this one stuck in my mind as I don't want to do anything abusive. I don't think her objection was the jigging aspect. I think she was thinking digestively, since she often recommends probiotic supplements to me...and chiropractors...and trainers...and acupuncturists...and...now where is that "ears back/bared teeth" icon?
Thanks, everyone!
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 5:16 pm:
Sounds like most of you love your horse for being a horse, and as for this other gal, not sure but she seems to have put her horse on a whole 'nother level here. Seems to be taking the concept of "only the best for her horse" to the extreme.
She shaved your horse's face??? and WHY?? And you are wondering about her opinion on feeding treats? Did your horse have 5 o'clock shadow or something?
Pretend I inserted a confused mare icon here!!!!!
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Member:
Savage
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 5:30 pm:
I gave my horse treats as well after a ride, we would come back, He would wait patiently as I undressed him and put some carrots on the ground by the tack shed and he would munch those while I groomed and fussed over him, then when he was done I would put him in his stall. It is a routine we did for 24 some years and he loved it.
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Member:
Zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 6:28 pm:
Holy Cow ...... banamine vs a carrot or two ??????????????? and if someone ever twitched my horse they would be the shaved one!! Erika you are just fine your friend needs much help!! Cindy
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 6:53 pm:
I was about to post a few words, but Cindy and Angie pretty much voiced my opinion. Keep doing what you're doing, Erica.
I'm not opposed to shaving or clipping, do it myself when it's called for, and there are times you need to use a twitch (a humane one, on the nose) but I'd want the owner around or the owner's permission at least. I've never had to twitch a horse to clip it, usually a little patience gets the job done.
As for the Banamine, I think that's a little odd, and "overkill." If a horse looks a little "off" you watch it for a while to see what's going on and take some vital signs imo. If she's riding her horses so hard they are exhausted when she's done, she needs to do a lot more conditioning. The blankets and baths part is o.k. depending on the weather...you just don't need to feel you're "rustic" and you sure don't sound like you're abusive! Go buy more horse cookies and carrots and enjoy your horse.
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 7:19 pm:
I always treat to after a ride. I want the last thing he remembers is pleasurable. It does not make him mean or cause any bad problems. Just makes him whinny to me after I come out of the tack room. Maybe that makes me feel good, maybe its selfish. I love that little whinny.
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Member:
Judyhens
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 8:43 pm:
Hey Erika,
We give treats after rides and the horses are happy as clams. Think about it. If you went to work and never got a reward (as in your pay check...)how long would it take for you to stop being so positive about your job... We have been giving treats for over a decade to many, many horses, including stallions, without developing pushy, bitey horses. They just seem happy and content.
On a very positive note, one of our mares who had an eye problem last year was a real pain for the vets to deal with. After removal of the flushing system after 5 or 6 weeks, she still had to be manually doctored every few hours around the clock with several eye meds. Everyone found it difficult and frustrating. When we took her home we were worried about injuring the eye with the bottles and tubes. Prior to having the vets re-insert the irrigation system, my husband wanted to try making a "contract" with her. Prior to putting DrOps in her eye she got a small carrot piece. One DrOp was put in. She got another carrot piece, etc., etc., through the whole regimen. It worked!!!! Soon, instead of chasing her around the stall and fighting with her, she was meeting him at the door, stuffing her own head in the halter, and waiting longingly for the carrot prize. No more fights. When we brought her back for a recheck the vets were absolutely amazed at what Walter had done with her. Why fight with a 1200 lb. animal when a tiny carrot piece will work!!!!
Have a great day and keep those treats going. - I would be sure the horse was not over-heated first, though....
Judy
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Member:
Sswiley
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Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2007 - 10:20 am:
Good for you Judy, and what a great husband to have around !! I am thinking of Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar. . . . wonder if this might work to get my daughter to do her homework. . . . . . hummm
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Member:
Muffi
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Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2007 - 6:27 pm:
I go a step further - I make Horse Cookies that they get after the ride. All Natural, Oats, Raisins, Oat Bran, and stuff. Once they are untacked - they get a cookie - and they munch, lipsmack and nod their head till the grooming is all done. They both really look forward to that treat - I don't know who said it above but if you worked and were not rewarded - wouldn't you feel gyped?
I also found a single Sugar Cube when bridling my Head Bobber two years ago to solve that issue. Now even my trainer is amazed how he Goes for the Bit. Opens his mouth and puts his head down so nice like. so he still gets one each time. his little stand still and let me get you all dressed treat.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2007 - 11:08 pm:
Muffi, you're making me look bad! I don't even make cookies for my husband, let alone the horses and dogs!
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 - 8:05 am:
Yeah Muffie!
I was just talking about a handful of Safe Choice! LOL
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Member:
Jgordo03
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 - 10:54 pm:
I see nothing wrong with giving treats, I believe in rewarding for positive behavior. I make horse treats. Erika do you like Safe Choice?
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 11:19 am:
Well, Judi, I don't eat it, but my horses seem to like it just fine.
One of my horses had laminitis about ten years ago. I keep her and her daughter as low sugar as I can with no hard feed at all until winter just as a precaution.
Right now they are only getting a total of three pounds a day each, divided into two feedings. They seem to hold their weight quite well on mostly hay.
They do get the handfull after a ride no matter what time of year, though. I feel like the've earned the calories.
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Member:
Kathleen
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 11:47 am:
I see nothing wrong with giving treats before, during and after a ride. I carried carrots in a saddlebag to give to Mona when she did something terribly brave - like walking into a creek. She got to the point of walking into the creek and then stopping and standing there and turning her head around to wait for her treat (still shaking because she is truly scared of being in water).
Kathleen
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