Eating from my hand....eek

Giddyhorsey · 02-13-08, 11:56 AM

I am scared stiff to allow a horse to eat from my hand. I know it's no big deal, but that's where I am for now. I know when I become more comfortable around them that problem will be eliminated.

**alexis** · 02-13-08, 01:46 PM

This is a normal fear that many have, I had it myself when I was a young teen. Horses even pony's are fairly large and its a little intimidating. Maybe you could start out with something like a carrot and work your way up to grains? It does feel a little funny but I'm sure you will get used to it soon enough.

Zorse · 02-13-08, 02:20 PM

This might not make you feel any better but we all found it entertaining. My sister used to live across the road from a guy who had a petting zoo for fairs. One of the animals was a zebra named Bart who had a streak of mischief in him. My children love animals and were over there almost from the moment we arrived feed them grass through the fence. Bart decided to get a hold of one of my sons fingers between his teeth and held him until the neighbor gave the zebra what for. Didn't hurt my son at all but they learned a bit of a lesson. When feeding horses or other animals something small present your palm with the food. They don't always recognize the difference between the snack and your fingers right away.

flatback_frannie · 02-13-08, 05:50 PM

Zorse... I heard a story like that when I was a kid that was enough to scare me into feeding the horses carefully! I still always hold my fingers all together, so none stick out and seem like a yummy carrot.

purplefdu · 02-13-08, 07:55 PM

Using long things such as carrots or twists of hay from your fist might be helpful in the shortrun. Or even big chunks of apple. The smaller the thing the hard to pick up and the more the horse will end up lipping your palm.

Giddyhorsey · 02-15-08, 11:33 AM

Thanks for tips, it will still take some boosting, but I will try those especially the one about keeping the fingers together. I can't afford to give any of them to the horses.

ridesalot · 02-15-08, 12:38 PM

I do not know how helpful this tip is but...I put the piece of apple or carrot on the palm of my hand, and then hold my hand out. The reason I say it might not help is because my fingers are double jointed and can bend back a little so they do not get in the horses way and I do not freak because a big animal is going to eat my fingers.

02-13-08, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Giddyhorsey Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Posts: 25	Eating from my hand....eek I am scared stiff to allow a horse to eat from my hand. I know it's no big deal, but that's where I am for now. I know when I become more comfortable around them that problem will be eliminated.

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02-13-08, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
alexis Super-Moderator Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329	This is a normal fear that many have, I had it myself when I was a young teen. Horses even pony's are fairly large and its a little intimidating. Maybe you could start out with something like a carrot and work your way up to grains? It does feel a little funny but I'm sure you will get used to it soon enough.

02-13-08, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Location: Eastern Ontario Posts: 25	This might not make you feel any better but we all found it entertaining. My sister used to live across the road from a guy who had a petting zoo for fairs. One of the animals was a zebra named Bart who had a streak of mischief in him. My children love animals and were over there almost from the moment we arrived feed them grass through the fence. Bart decided to get a hold of one of my sons fingers between his teeth and held him until the neighbor gave the zebra what for. Didn't hurt my son at all but they learned a bit of a lesson. When feeding horses or other animals something small present your palm with the food. They don't always recognize the difference between the snack and your fingers right away.

02-13-08, 05:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
flatback_frannie Member Join Date: 01-06-08 Posts: 129	Zorse... I heard a story like that when I was a kid that was enough to scare me into feeding the horses carefully! I still always hold my fingers all together, so none stick out and seem like a yummy carrot.

02-13-08, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
purplefdu Member Join Date: 08-12-07 Posts: 236	Using long things such as carrots or twists of hay from your fist might be helpful in the shortrun. Or even big chunks of apple. The smaller the thing the hard to pick up and the more the horse will end up lipping your palm.

02-15-08, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Giddyhorsey Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Posts: 25	Thanks for tips, it will still take some boosting, but I will try those especially the one about keeping the fingers together. I can't afford to give any of them to the horses.

02-15-08, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
ridesalot Member Join Date: 02-03-08 Posts: 25	I do not know how helpful this tip is but...I put the piece of apple or carrot on the palm of my hand, and then hold my hand out. The reason I say it might not help is because my fingers are double jointed and can bend back a little so they do not get in the horses way and I do not freak because a big animal is going to eat my fingers.