Whether you own your own horse or just enjoy visiting them in pastures or stables near your home, hand feeding a horse can be rewarding.The horse and you can enjoy a bonding experience if you follow safety procedures and give the horse proper food or treat.
Step 1: Permission to approach and feed horses that are not yours is required.
If you see some horses in a pasture on the side of the road, don't assume you can just approach the fence and give them food.Before approaching or feeding any horses that do not belong to you, you must be the owner's permission.Some horses might be on a very specific diet, and offering them food outside of that diet could be harmful.You don't want to approach any horse without being aware of their biting tendencies or aggressive behaviors.
Step 2: Don't approach the horse lightly.
Don't run at a horse.Don't come at the horse from behind.The horse should be approached from the front and off to the side.It will see you a bit better if you approach it at a slight angle.The horse's blind spot is at the front so don't approach it directly.The best place to see it is on the side.Walk slowly and don't lunge at the horse.
Step 3: Let the horse know you are on your way.
Clicking your tongue or speaking the horse's name will let it know you are near.As it hears your voice, it may twitch its ears and look at you.The horse has acknowledged your presence and you haven't startled it.To let the horse know you're there, don't make loud noises.Speak quietly or make noise.
Step 4: Hold your hand down.
If you are going to give a horse food with your hand, you want to make sure you have a flat hand and the food on your palm.Doing this will keep your fingertips away from the horse's mouth, and it will be less likely to accidentally nip you while taking food.Don't hold your hand too high.Take the treat from the horse's head.The horse won't be coming straight onto your fingertips if it reaches down into your palm.
Step 5: The horse can get fruits, vegetables, or manufactured horse treats.
You can offer apples and carrots, as well as melons, snow peas, pumpkin, and strawberries, which the horses love.You can also sell treats made for horses at horse supply stores.For a sweet treat, you can offer the horse some candy.You should only give these occasionally and a few at a time.
Step 6: To feed the horse, break off small pieces.
Some horses are prone to swallow without chewing, while others are more likely to chew.The larger pieces will not get stuck in the horse's throat.You should watch the horse as it eats its treats to make sure it doesn't have a hard time chewing.
Step 7: Horses may produce gas if they are fed treats.
There are things like potatoes, onions, and cabbage that should be avoided.You don't want to feed horses things that could lead to excessive gas because they are prone to bloat.Don't give your horse garlic.Garlic is sometimes given to horses in supplement form, but should not be given raw as a treat.Chocolate is bad for horses.The same chemical that makes chocolatetoxic to dogs also makes it toxic to horses in large amounts.A small piece now and then won't do much.
Step 8: Treat in moderation.
Overfeeding treats adds calories and could disrupt the balance in a horse's bicyle.As an alternative to treats, you can hand feed a horse its regular feed, or a small amount of the grass it spends most of its day munching on out in the pasture.
Step 9: A verbal command or cue can be used.
The horse learns to only expect a treat when the word is spoken, rather than all the time, if you associate a hand-fed treat with a verbal cue.They'll be discouraged from constantly nudging or nipping for treats.When you say treat, it will help the horse wait for the cue to get a treat.
Step 10: Stand on the horse's back.
Stand beside the horse and face in the same direction as it, rather than standing in front of it and giving it a treat.Reach over to the other side of the treat with your hand.The horse will have to turn his head away from you to take the treat.The horse will be less likely to nip people for treats if it is taught to expect hand-fed treats.
Step 11: You should not pull your hand away from the horse.
If you want the treat to go into the horse's mouth, direct your hand toward it instead of pulling it back towards yourself.The horse might lunge for the treat in an attempt to get it before you take it away, if you pull your hand away.This could lead to an injury.
Step 12: The treats should be fed in a bucket or feeding trough.
Feed the horse with a bucket or feeding trough if it has bad hand-feeding manners.The safest way to feed a horse is this.The horse-owner community frowns on hand feeding because of the nipping behaviors it can occasionally create.Feeding the horse treats in a bucket or feeding trough is a safe alternative if your horse has a tendency towards these behaviors.