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| WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE The insights of: K. HAYES, DVM, MS |
| WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE The insights of: K. HAYES, DVM, MS |
DIFFERENCE #5
FOOD BEHAVIOR
Your horse’s world: He’s motivated by food, but that motivation is secondary to safety and social
concerns. Food triggers aggressive interactions and establishes social hierarchy among herd members. If a
subordinate horse were to approach a dominant horse’s feed, the result would be a threat or act of
aggression from the dominant one. This is a hierarchy related dispute, food isn’t part of the conflict, merely
the trigger for it.
Your world: Food not only is necessary for survival, but also has strong social and psychological
connotations. “Comfort food" makes us feel good; we also use food as a bribe, a reward, and in our
celebrations.
Opportunity for conflict: First, when you dispense treats to horses in groups, you’ll trigger aggressive,
dominance-related behavior, which could result in injury to you, or to the horse(s). Note: This aggressive
behavior is often misinterpreted as jealousy because you’re giving treats to one horse. Not at all. Jealousy
isn’t the issue--that’s human emotion. The enticement of food causes subordinate horses to challenge, and
encourages dominant ones to exert real aggression as opposed to offering a display of threat to ensure their
reward.
Second, your urge to make your horse feel good through food can be an inadvertent reward for inappropriate
behavior, resulting in reinforcement of dangerous bad habits such as biting. Examples: Your horse nudges
you for a treat, you give him one, rewarding the behavior and encouraging him to butt you again. Your
horse refuses to step into your trailer, you give him a handful of grain in an attempt to lure him in, when all
you’re really doing is rewarding his balky behavior. Your horse acts up when the farrier works on him, so to
keep your horse quiet, you provide handfuls of grain. He will continue to act up because you give him treats
when he does.
How to avoid conflict: Avoid handing out treats in a group situation. If you wish to single out a particular
horse for your attention, halter and lead him outside the group enclosure where you’ll be able to feed him
safely. NEVER hand feed your horse or allow him to search your pockets for food. Instead, provide treats
in his regular feeder, or offer them in a bucket. This will help prevent nudging and nipping behaviors.
Consider the consequences if a child innocently walks up to pet your horse. In addition, to avoid
inadvertently rewarding bad behavior, think before you feed anything to your horse. If your horse is balking,
pinning his ears, refusing to stand still, etc., food will reward that behavior. Wait until he’s displaying a
desirable behavior, such as a step forward, an ears-up expression, or a still moment before dispensing those
carrots.
FOOD BEHAVIOR
Your horse’s world: He’s motivated by food, but that motivation is secondary to safety and social
concerns. Food triggers aggressive interactions and establishes social hierarchy among herd members. If a
subordinate horse were to approach a dominant horse’s feed, the result would be a threat or act of
aggression from the dominant one. This is a hierarchy related dispute, food isn’t part of the conflict, merely
the trigger for it.
Your world: Food not only is necessary for survival, but also has strong social and psychological
connotations. “Comfort food" makes us feel good; we also use food as a bribe, a reward, and in our
celebrations.
Opportunity for conflict: First, when you dispense treats to horses in groups, you’ll trigger aggressive,
dominance-related behavior, which could result in injury to you, or to the horse(s). Note: This aggressive
behavior is often misinterpreted as jealousy because you’re giving treats to one horse. Not at all. Jealousy
isn’t the issue--that’s human emotion. The enticement of food causes subordinate horses to challenge, and
encourages dominant ones to exert real aggression as opposed to offering a display of threat to ensure their
reward.
Second, your urge to make your horse feel good through food can be an inadvertent reward for inappropriate
behavior, resulting in reinforcement of dangerous bad habits such as biting. Examples: Your horse nudges
you for a treat, you give him one, rewarding the behavior and encouraging him to butt you again. Your
horse refuses to step into your trailer, you give him a handful of grain in an attempt to lure him in, when all
you’re really doing is rewarding his balky behavior. Your horse acts up when the farrier works on him, so to
keep your horse quiet, you provide handfuls of grain. He will continue to act up because you give him treats
when he does.
How to avoid conflict: Avoid handing out treats in a group situation. If you wish to single out a particular
horse for your attention, halter and lead him outside the group enclosure where you’ll be able to feed him
safely. NEVER hand feed your horse or allow him to search your pockets for food. Instead, provide treats
in his regular feeder, or offer them in a bucket. This will help prevent nudging and nipping behaviors.
Consider the consequences if a child innocently walks up to pet your horse. In addition, to avoid
inadvertently rewarding bad behavior, think before you feed anything to your horse. If your horse is balking,
pinning his ears, refusing to stand still, etc., food will reward that behavior. Wait until he’s displaying a
desirable behavior, such as a step forward, an ears-up expression, or a still moment before dispensing those
carrots.
