[HazelEyes42]

So I posted a while ago, about my pony refusing to eat a new type of hay (the farrier recommended we switch to something less rich, as we were giving her Lucerne hay)

A few days ago we brought a new type (can't remember what it's called, oops!) and Tiny (pony) took a great liking to it. I thought, good, she's eating what she's supposed to.

But 10 minutes ago I went down to feed her, and she ran at the hay I had in my hands.

I know some of you might be thinking 'what's the problem?' but if you knew Tiny, she never runs. She hates it. I haven't seen her run in a long time.

Does anyone have any idea of what could be going on with her? I was thinking maybe it's the new hay she's been having?

Please help a girl out!

 

[horselovinguy]

Is she challenging you, like threatening to keep you in line another horse would do to her if she were in a herd situation?
Is she trying to scare you away so she can "keep it all to herself?"....

Sadly, sounds to me that although eager to have her hay she is learning bad manners by running at you when you approach with food.
Don't allow Tiny to do this or get away with this behavior...it could be dangerous for you.
Feeding time or anytime the pony needs to behave, remember her manners or she will be taught good manners.
Be strict always that she follows your lead and not try to lead and intimidate you which is what that running at you when you have food in your arms is about...
Enjoy your pony, but keep her disciplined with firm boundaries of what is allowed, permitted and what is not...
That keeps you safe and her respectful of you.
:runninghorse2:....

 

[tinyliny]

Dont allow her to run at you when you carry food. shush her off firmly.

she may be hungry, perhaps the new hay is not offering her the calories she is used to, so she feels 'hungry'. doesn't mean it is not enough. she probably just is not used to having fewer calories. I know the feeling!

 

[HazelEyes42]

Is she challenging you, like threatening to keep you in line another horse would do to her if she were in a herd situation?
Is she trying to scare you away so she can "keep it all to herself?"....

Sadly, sounds to me that although eager to have her hay she is learning bad manners by running at you when you approach with food.
Don't allow Tiny to do this or get away with this behavior...it could be dangerous for you.
Feeding time or anytime the pony needs to behave, remember her manners or she will be taught good manners.
Be strict always that she follows your lead and not try to lead and intimidate you which is what that running at you when you have food in your arms is about...
Enjoy your pony, but keep her disciplined with firm boundaries of what is allowed, permitted and what is not...
That keeps you safe and her respectful of you.
:runninghorse2:....

Is she likely to develop such bad manners so suddenly? We've had her for 12 years, and she's never done anything like this before.

Also, I don't think it's a challenging run, it's more of a demanding 'give it to me now' kind of run, not like a 'get away from me right now'

 

[QtrBel]

"Give it to me now" is just as much of a challenge as "Get the hay away from me now". In both cases she needs a correction. She could be hungry, could be she likes the hay so much she wants it all to herself, either way, there are no excuses for her behavior. I'd say carry a whip if your hand motion or body isn't enough of a deterrent to move her off. It may be you can just use it as a threat to move her out of your space. Keep her off the hay until YOU give her permission to move in and eat.

ETA that should be Hey, get the Hey away.