At 19:09:24 on 08.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
My mare Cindy (Cynder's Way) is an ex racehorse. She was neglected, abused and starved when she became a broodmare. Whe we rescued her, she was close to death and driven mad by fear. Now, she's improving mentally and her health is top condition- she's STUNNING now! Her one major problem, however, is food aggression. If someone appraoches while she's eating, she will flatten her ears, turn and snap her teeth. Having been starved, she believes that we're going to take her food away. She will take food gently and willingly from my hand, though. Many people advise to leave mares with this, but I fear that if it continues, someone will forget or unknowingly reach out and lose their fingers! Does your horse do this? Any advice? x

At 06:25:24 on 09.01.12, bazz94 wrote:
Why someone would advise to leave particularly 'mares' alone and let their food aggression incline is totally bizarre to me... you wouldn't let a child snatch things from you just because it's a girl... would you?? haha silly people. Before you put any food in the bucket let her know you can touch the bucket whenever you want. First of all you need to understand the concept that to pretty much 'dominate' or to be 'herd leader' is to be able to move the horse's feet. For the moment she's decided she's the herd leader as people move away from her when she pins her ears back when at her food. I sort of don't want to give you the full answer because I want you to figure it out for yourself. Watch other horses as they eat together... don't have any horses to watch in real life? Pretty sure there are quite a few videos on youtube that would have herd dynamics within the various selection of videos there are on Youtube haha I have a few from Rick Gore- I know he's done plenty of them so if you're willing to learn watch his videos he explains it quite well.

At 21:56:20 on 09.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
Thanks for the advice and vid :) I think her probem is more fear than dominance, she was starved and is used to other horses stealing her food to survive or humans taking it away so she constantly went hungry. She's incredibly respectful in every other way, but once she has the food she eats like there's no tomorrow and protects it like she's never going to get any more :( like you, I totally disagree that mares should be left alone with this, but I think they were referring more to her abused past and many people say it can never be fixed, but it has to be curable to some degree, I don't want her eating in stress, feeding time needs to be pleasant and controlled, it's no longer survival of the fastest! :) x

At 23:34:17 on 09.01.12, La Palma wrote:
My filly was like that before, but she is slowly getting better. She is also worried that someone is going to take her food. I have tried different things, 1/ I give her the bucket empty, then I put a handful in it once a minute. 2/ I give her the bucket and stay by her side, no and then I call her and give her a treat.When she accepts that I touch her and if she accepts I give a treat. I think this could be a soft way for a horse that had a hard life.. (sorry for my English) Kim

At 17:58:42 on 10.01.12, OffTheTrack wrote:
They're really good ideas, thank you :) it's reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem! x