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  Discussion on Feeder wars
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Member:
Heidim

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 8:49 am:

I've had older horses and mules for most of my "horse life." When I came into the pasture, they rarely acted up and, if they did, were easily corrected with a stern word. Two years ago, we purchased a now four-year-old mule mare and a five-year-old QH mare. Both are aggressive at feeding time, which is not surprising, but I don't like them kicking that close to me. The mule is also aggressive when I give attention to any of the others. She once nailed my husband on the way to kicking another stablemate. A stern word isn't working. I've considered wielding a lunging whip, but I'm hedging as this is awkward to use when I'm carrying hay and I also don't want to come across as punishing the wrong animal. I expect them to duke it out when I'm not around--I just don't want them to do it when I am. Any suggestions?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 9:42 am:

You could tie/stall them prior to putting out the feed or feed over the fence.
DrO
Member:
Green007

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 9:56 am:

When going out into an aggressive field of horses, I have no qualms about carrying a whip and waving it with some stern words to get horses out of my space. A buggy whip is ideal, a crop is too short. Can you carry a buggy whip under your arm? Scolding horses takes such split second timing, I would DrOp the hay in my hand and go after an aggressive horse with voice, body and whip language to make them think twice before doing it again. I am kind to my horses in most cases, but have known people who have been disabled or killed in an aggressive pasture situation, so take it very seriously.

I have heard of people using a whiffle ball bat too, as it makes a loud noise but doesn't really hurt them. I am a whip girl, myself, and have a "zero tolerance" policy toward aggression when I am in a field of horses. Ears pinned back or moving quickly toward my space are reason enough for me to scold a horse.

Good luck, and stay safe!
Member:
Canter

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 11:44 am:

My mare just recently ended up with a new pasture mate who gets pushy at the gate and at feeding time. I carried a lunge whip with me only about three times. When the other mare crowded me & my horse I tapped her lightly on the chest with the whip. When she flattened her ears & threatened to bite or kick while I was right there, I gave her more of a crack with the whip. It only took the three times or so and she is a lot more respectful when I bring my horse in or out or even give my mare a treat after riding.

Don't hesitate to keep yourself safe...
Member:
Green007

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 12:24 pm:

I agree with Fran. The longer the whip the better. The main reason I never caught on to the whiffle bat idea is that they just aren't long enough to keep you out of harms way. An in hand/buggy whip is the shortest you should go, and if you can carry a longe whip, all the better. You need to be able to reprimand but from a safe distance that is out of kicking range.

Do it a few times and, like Fran says, they will start to take you more seriously. I can make horses move sometimes with just a "leap rope lariat" swinging in the air now. However, it is always better to have a long whip and not need it, than to need one and not have it.

Good luck, let us know how it goes and be careful! Don't get kicked.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 1:37 pm:

Protection of food is such a basic instinct for most animals, and they shouldn't need to feel that they need to protect their food from us . . . and with good training as outlined above, horses will give way to humans . . . BUT . . . even though the horses may trust their handlers implicitly, they sometimes don't trust one another, and when the handler is carrying hay or grain into a pasture full of horses, serious accidents can happen. The position of the horses in relationship to one another on any given days can be different, and while "Bud NEVER kicks out" might be the status quo, Bud CAN kick out and may do so at another horse . . . and if you are in the way . . . ? In the past 34 years, I have been kicked 5 times (once when a frightened horse was under anesthesia, and twice by a "kicker" when I was grooming his girth area) . . . The last two times happened during the same year as I was feeding more than a dozen horses inside their pasture. With that many horses, it is difficult to keep a safe distance away when they are milling around at meal times. My preference was to throw the hay along the fenceline from outside the fence . . . more piles than horses, and at least 10 feet apart. Unfortunately, the wind blew much of the hay over my head and/or under the fence . . . so less was wasted if we could get it inside. Both times I was kicked by different horses. It is my practice to carry a lead rope with me whenever I enter a group of horses, and whether they are friendly looking or not, I flap the end of the rope at them and say, "GIT!!!" (That's "Git" with a "grrrrrrrrrr" accompanied a purposeful move forward.) and it helps keep them a safe distance away, but don't underestimate the horse who has no intentions of kicking you, but may be pushed into you by a bossy pasture mate.
Do keep safe, and if it is possible to feed along the fence . . . or at least feed the dominant horse first from outside the pasture, then that will probably be the safest for you.
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 9:38 pm:

I tried the longe whip tonight, and it worked great. The older mules recognized that piece of equipment right off, and stood their distance. The younger mule saw the whip and took her cue from the older ones. The younger mare, also the herd boss, took her position at the feeder as always, then looked wide-eyed at the whip but stayed put. I tapped her lightly on the hip and she moved away nicely, so I could DrOp the hay into the feeder. Ironically, when I headed back into the barn (we feed just outside the back door), they all mellowed and got down to eating much quicker and with less rivalry than usual. It was a nice feeling. Thanks again for the simple suggestion. I especially liked that I didn't have to touch the ones who already knew to keep their distance.
Member:
Canter

Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 8:25 am:

Heidi,
I'm delighted at your success! Carry that whip a couple more times to ensure everyone knows you mean business and I bet you'll not ever need it again.
Member:
Green007

Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 10:42 am:

Great job, Heidi!
Member:
Jgordo03

Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 5:29 pm:

I'm excited I'm going to try this with my two girls. The QH who is about 50 pounds overweight always takes the TB food who needs gain about 50 pounds. I go to take the food away from the QH to give to the TB she tries to cut me off and acts like she is going to kick me. Thank goodness she hasn't yet, but I want her to quit this habit.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Saturday, Nov 12, 2005 - 2:09 am:

Hi all

I use a dressage whip (I think this may be similar to a buggy whip) and voice like Holly. I find "Gehhht BACK!!!" is one they learn pretty quick.

You don't often have to do it but mean it when you do and be well prepared to use the whip in earnest if you have to. I like that dressage whips make a good whippy noise which can be used to deter invasion of your space without hitting a horse. Most of them hate that noise.

Mainly I use a round feeder in the winter but I also put out buckets of oats and beet pulp when the weather is very severe. You need a selection of old cruddy buckets with no handles which you make up as a tower stack with feed in each. Walking as smartly as possible through deep mud you DrOp one about ever 12 feet. Always feed the most dominant horse first (they're usually the one in front...) Works brilliantly with up to about 6 horses, but you can't move fast enough for more than 6.

Retrieve buckets later when everyone is concentrating on the hay in the round feeder.

All the best

Imogen
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