Grooming while feeding--a no no?

montanagirl · 02-18-2007, 05:58 PM

I just read on horseproblems.com.au, a really cool horsesite featuring a natural horseman, that feeding is a huge time of reinforcing respect and you should, among other things, never groom a horse while he eats.

Do you all agree with that? I have been using feeding times as a bonding time with my new horse, and have been spending lots of time grooming him then. Maybe this is not a good thing? I don't let him charge me for his feed, and make him stand back until I tell him he can come get his food.

Input?

Fntsyfrm · 02-18-2007, 06:03 PM

I have always groomed my horses while they eat, or when ever I want to. I groom them in the stall, on cross-ties in the isle, out side in the field, or in the paddock. I let them know that this is what they should expect. I am the boss and they have never had any problems with it.

recklesshoundog · 02-18-2007, 06:04 PM

I've learned to never say never....

Most of my guys could care less if you brush them while they eat...I generally leave them alone to enjoy their dinner, but hey if your in a situation where you only get so much time to be with your horse and dinner falls in the middle of it, whatever?!

With my wild clyde when he was first here, I used to rub him while he ate. Gave a pleasant association to the touch. He now waits for his rubbing before he goes over and eats, so I certainly don't think it's damaged him.

Lady_MCSE · 02-18-2007, 06:06 PM

I think I would agree about staying away while feeding. When you are in the horse's personal space, you want his\her undivided attention on YOU for your own safety.

They just simply don't pay attention to much of anything when they are feeding, other than the stuff that's in front of them.

I too will occasionally make my guy wait (I almost wrote patiently, but let's face it, it's impatiently) for his food. Like let's say we've gotten done from some time in the arena and he and I both know there's a flake of hay in his stall. I will deliberately make him wait at the door until I tell him it's OK to step into the stall, so he is not in the habit of rushing into the stall or rushing me. I don't make a habit of doing this every single day, but in my mind it's a concious way of asserting my dominance over him.

Now that's not to say I haven't occasionally ducked in while he is eating to put a quick dab of ointment on a superficial ouchie that he might've gotten in the pasture, but I definitely don't stand there for long periods of time while he's eating.

barnmom · 02-18-2007, 06:07 PM

we fuss over our horses while they eat, not a complete grooming but some brushing, rubbing and just generally loving them up

RhettsMom · 02-18-2007, 06:20 PM

depends on the horse.
I always groom, including picking out hooves when Rhett is eating. My 4yo sits on his back while he eats and there is no problem. He enjoys spending time with me/us and respects and loves me.

Liath on the other hand.

Nope. From what I have gathered from his back ground and the fact he was a few hundred lbs underweight when my house mate bought him. Feeding time used to be traumatic for him. He prefers to be left alone when he is eating. He doesnt kick or threaten, but makes sure that you know he wants to eat in peace. Fine with me since I prefer Rhett

Sirita_88 · 02-18-2007, 06:27 PM

I groom them when I get the urge to when my horses are eating. I think it acutally teaches them patience, and to trust humans even when their food is at stake. Because horses can get MEAN when they eat, and I guess it can be a form of desensitizing them, that NO ONE is going to take their food while they eat. Besides, if you taught them that when they eat grain that NO ONE will touch them, what's to say if a child comes up to them in the stall while they are eating or even when they are munching on grass in the feild that the horse isn't going to bite and kick?

texagal7 · 02-18-2007, 06:35 PM

I don't have any problem messing with, or grooming my horse when she is eating, when I am the boss I will pet, groom, etc. when I choose not when she feels like letting me.

horses19201 · 02-18-2007, 06:46 PM

I usually unbraid Lacey's tail while she's eating and might brush over her but that's about it. Most of the time I'm not their when she's eating anyways.

Lady_MCSE · 02-18-2007, 06:52 PM

Hmmm, I guess I'd like to update my answer to say that if I had a horse who was agressive or otherwise really bothered by my being around at all while he\she eats, then I would see that as a problem that needs to be fixed, and I would probably work on that. Working on it should help build both trust and respsect at the same time.

But in terms of just generally standing around brushing, loving, etc. while he\she eats, I still say you're safer just not doing it because the horse isn't necessarily paying attention to you.

I'm still nursing a broken foot from 20 years ago. It's pretty good most days, but randomly decides to swell like a football. I wear steel-toes in the barn now - am not taking any chances.

Crazy4paints · 02-18-2007, 06:55 PM

I groom mine, whenever I feel like it. While they eat,sleep or whatever. Maybe it's not "text-book correct" behavior, but if it works for you, then go for it..

TXCowGrl82 · 02-18-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy4paints

I groom mine, whenever I feel like it. While they eat,sleep or whatever. Maybe it's not "text-book correct" behavior, but if it works for you, then go for it..

Yep. Just like you should be able to put your hand in a dog's food bowl without worrying if they will bite you, I'd better be able to groom my horses while they're eating. If I can't, I'll work on that. Now I don't make it a practice to groom while they're eating, but I can whenever I want to.

Mule Fool · 02-18-2007, 07:21 PM

I want to be ABLE to groom them if I need to for some reason, but I just do it occassionally to make sure they are okay with it.

WMB · 02-18-2007, 07:21 PM

I groom my horse when they eat or out in the field or when ever.
They don't seem to mind. I have done this since they were colts.
I have never had any problems.
There are some horses that may not like this, but they can get use
to all the attention while eating.
It is something that can be corrected, especially if children are helping
with the feeding.

Wanda

ToveroMom · 02-18-2007, 07:40 PM

i just was out grooming skinny horse while he was eating. He is really distrustful of folks at this point and will move away if he can.
He is NOT going to move away from his food.
He was actually rather glad of the attention I think.
I routinely groom them at night when i bring them in to feed. They have been out all day rolling in the sand and need it anyway.
They don't really have to watch out for me-I watch out for them

montanagirl · 02-18-2007, 07:59 PM

These viewpoints are so interesting. This website horsetrainer's thought was that tending to a horse while he's eating makes him not respect you. I see this differently now after reading your responses--in a way, handling him while he has his precious beet pulp and senior equine (the highlights of this senior horse's day!) is actually showing him that I CAN touch him while he's eating. It's a kind of desensitization, I guess. If he EVER tried to put his ears back/charge me, etc. while he was eating we'd have a lot to discuss, the two of us.

Thanks for everyone's great input! What did horseowners do before the internet?

gingerfleguel · 02-18-2007, 08:02 PM

I think a horse should respect his master regardless of whether or not he/she is eating. Horses know who they can take advantage of and When they can take advantage.....dont give them the opportunity

gbarmranch · 02-18-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy4paints

I groom mine, whenever I feel like it. While they eat,sleep or whatever. Maybe it's not "text-book correct" behavior, but if it works for you, then go for it..

I am with you - sometimes books don't have all the right answers...

Gotta Love Duns · 02-18-2007, 08:31 PM

I have to say that I groom as well as pick out feet and just about everything else when my horses are eating. They have no issues with anybody being around them... even other horses sharing the same food bucket or the dog.

dixie · 02-18-2007, 08:39 PM

Just over 1 month ago, I was feeding hay and checking on the mares. Dixie decided to be a witch and kicked out near me. I got on her and moved her off the hay and made her stay away a couple minutes until I saw her head go down, ears forward and both eyes on me. This really killed her because in the meantime Bisciut was chowing down

I turned my shoulder to her and motioned her in. She came to me I checked what had caught my eye - ended up being nothing. I do not know who was more suprised - she that I stood up to her or me that it actually worked.

I have also been known to pick up the geldings bucket and leave the pasture with his grain to return with the training stick(to enforce my space and how close he can get) when he decided to get pushy at feeding time. Then he got his grain.

I agree with above posts - I do not tease them with food at feeding time but I expect that they will trust and respect me. Of course this is a work in progress

02-18-2007, 05:58 PM
montanagirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 591	Grooming while feeding--a no no? I just read on horseproblems.com.au, a really cool horsesite featuring a natural horseman, that feeding is a huge time of reinforcing respect and you should, among other things, never groom a horse while he eats. Do you all agree with that? I have been using feeding times as a bonding time with my new horse, and have been spending lots of time grooming him then. Maybe this is not a good thing? I don't let him charge me for his feed, and make him stand back until I tell him he can come get his food. Input? __________________ No hour is ever wasted that is spent in the saddle. --Winston Churchill

02-18-2007, 06:03 PM
Fntsyfrm Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 823	I have always groomed my horses while they eat, or when ever I want to. I groom them in the stall, on cross-ties in the isle, out side in the field, or in the paddock. I let them know that this is what they should expect. I am the boss and they have never had any problems with it. __________________ Life without horses is not a life.

02-18-2007, 06:04 PM
recklesshoundog Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 3,162	I've learned to never say never.... Most of my guys could care less if you brush them while they eat...I generally leave them alone to enjoy their dinner, but hey if your in a situation where you only get so much time to be with your horse and dinner falls in the middle of it, whatever?! With my wild clyde when he was first here, I used to rub him while he ate. Gave a pleasant association to the touch. He now waits for his rubbing before he goes over and eats, so I certainly don't think it's damaged him.

02-18-2007, 06:06 PM
Lady_MCSE Seasoned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 4,518	I think I would agree about staying away while feeding. When you are in the horse's personal space, you want his\her undivided attention on YOU for your own safety. They just simply don't pay attention to much of anything when they are feeding, other than the stuff that's in front of them. I too will occasionally make my guy wait (I almost wrote patiently, but let's face it, it's impatiently) for his food. Like let's say we've gotten done from some time in the arena and he and I both know there's a flake of hay in his stall. I will deliberately make him wait at the door until I tell him it's OK to step into the stall, so he is not in the habit of rushing into the stall or rushing me. I don't make a habit of doing this every single day, but in my mind it's a concious way of asserting my dominance over him. Now that's not to say I haven't occasionally ducked in while he is eating to put a quick dab of ointment on a superficial ouchie that he might've gotten in the pasture, but I definitely don't stand there for long periods of time while he's eating. __________________ "A pun is its own reword." — Dance Drier, British comedian

02-18-2007, 06:07 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,995	we fuss over our horses while they eat, not a complete grooming but some brushing, rubbing and just generally loving them up

02-18-2007, 06:20 PM
RhettsMom Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: MA Posts: 1,431	depends on the horse. I always groom, including picking out hooves when Rhett is eating. My 4yo sits on his back while he eats and there is no problem. He enjoys spending time with me/us and respects and loves me. Liath on the other hand. Nope. From what I have gathered from his back ground and the fact he was a few hundred lbs underweight when my house mate bought him. Feeding time used to be traumatic for him. He prefers to be left alone when he is eating. He doesnt kick or threaten, but makes sure that you know he wants to eat in peace. Fine with me since I prefer Rhett

02-18-2007, 06:27 PM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,412	I groom them when I get the urge to when my horses are eating. I think it acutally teaches them patience, and to trust humans even when their food is at stake. Because horses can get MEAN when they eat, and I guess it can be a form of desensitizing them, that NO ONE is going to take their food while they eat. Besides, if you taught them that when they eat grain that NO ONE will touch them, what's to say if a child comes up to them in the stall while they are eating or even when they are munching on grass in the feild that the horse isn't going to bite and kick?

02-18-2007, 06:35 PM
texagal7 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 355	I don't have any problem messing with, or grooming my horse when she is eating, when I am the boss I will pet, groom, etc. when I choose not when she feels like letting me.

02-18-2007, 06:46 PM
horses19201 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 683	I usually unbraid Lacey's tail while she's eating and might brush over her but that's about it. Most of the time I'm not their when she's eating anyways. __________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup ~Maggie~

02-18-2007, 06:52 PM
Lady_MCSE Seasoned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 4,518	Hmmm, I guess I'd like to update my answer to say that if I had a horse who was agressive or otherwise really bothered by my being around at all while he\she eats, then I would see that as a problem that needs to be fixed, and I would probably work on that. Working on it should help build both trust and respsect at the same time. But in terms of just generally standing around brushing, loving, etc. while he\she eats, I still say you're safer just not doing it because the horse isn't necessarily paying attention to you. I'm still nursing a broken foot from 20 years ago. It's pretty good most days, but randomly decides to swell like a football. I wear steel-toes in the barn now - am not taking any chances. __________________ "A pun is its own reword." — Dance Drier, British comedian

02-18-2007, 06:55 PM
Crazy4paints Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 1,699	I groom mine, whenever I feel like it. While they eat,sleep or whatever. Maybe it's not "text-book correct" behavior, but if it works for you, then go for it..

02-18-2007, 07:21 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I want to be ABLE to groom them if I need to for some reason, but I just do it occassionally to make sure they are okay with it.

02-18-2007, 07:21 PM
WMB Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 45	I groom my horse when they eat or out in the field or when ever. They don't seem to mind. I have done this since they were colts. I have never had any problems. There are some horses that may not like this, but they can get use to all the attention while eating. It is something that can be corrected, especially if children are helping with the feeding. Wanda __________________ Got My Horse, Got My Dog , don\'t need no Cowboy.

02-18-2007, 07:40 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 17,059	i just was out grooming skinny horse while he was eating. He is really distrustful of folks at this point and will move away if he can. He is NOT going to move away from his food. He was actually rather glad of the attention I think. I routinely groom them at night when i bring them in to feed. They have been out all day rolling in the sand and need it anyway. They don't really have to watch out for me-I watch out for them __________________

02-18-2007, 07:59 PM
montanagirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 591	These viewpoints are so interesting. This website horsetrainer's thought was that tending to a horse while he's eating makes him not respect you. I see this differently now after reading your responses--in a way, handling him while he has his precious beet pulp and senior equine (the highlights of this senior horse's day!) is actually showing him that I CAN touch him while he's eating. It's a kind of desensitization, I guess. If he EVER tried to put his ears back/charge me, etc. while he was eating we'd have a lot to discuss, the two of us. Thanks for everyone's great input! What did horseowners do before the internet? __________________ No hour is ever wasted that is spent in the saddle. --Winston Churchill

02-18-2007, 08:02 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,660	I think a horse should respect his master regardless of whether or not he/she is eating. Horses know who they can take advantage of and When they can take advantage.....dont give them the opportunity

02-18-2007, 08:31 PM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 10,796	I have to say that I groom as well as pick out feet and just about everything else when my horses are eating. They have no issues with anybody being around them... even other horses sharing the same food bucket or the dog. __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse. http://nightfireranch.webs.com/index.htm

02-18-2007, 08:39 PM
dixie Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest TN Posts: 1,455	Just over 1 month ago, I was feeding hay and checking on the mares. Dixie decided to be a witch and kicked out near me. I got on her and moved her off the hay and made her stay away a couple minutes until I saw her head go down, ears forward and both eyes on me. This really killed her because in the meantime Bisciut was chowing down I turned my shoulder to her and motioned her in. She came to me I checked what had caught my eye - ended up being nothing. I do not know who was more suprised - she that I stood up to her or me that it actually worked. I have also been known to pick up the geldings bucket and leave the pasture with his grain to return with the training stick(to enforce my space and how close he can get) when he decided to get pushy at feeding time. Then he got his grain. I agree with above posts - I do not tease them with food at feeding time but I expect that they will trust and respect me. Of course this is a work in progress