My horse loses interest in me if I don't have treats?

Question

I have a 30-year-old horse that seems to lose interest in me if I don't have treats. If I take him out and tie him to a tree to brush him and tack him or out on a ride he could care less about the treats. If I just walk up to him out in the pasture (with him having on no halter or any way of me holding on to him) and start to brush him and I have my tack bag (which has treats in it) he will reach inside and eat treats even if I have already given him one or two. When this happens I tell him no and move the bag on the other side of the fence where he can't easily reach it and if I do that then he will walk up to the fence and try to get to the treats and I have to go get him again. If I come to him without treats or take the treats back to the barn where he can't get to them then he loses interest in me and walks away to another of the horses and stands beside him. What can I do to have my horse no lose interest in me if I don't have treats?

Answer 1

Horses become monsters when it comes to treats. Give a horse treats and they will be all over you until you stop. They then go back to what they are doing. I don't give my horses treats as much as I used to. If you liked to be mobbed then bring out the treats. I sometimes give them treats when I have one alone. I don't use them as a reward. I give them treats just to give them one. Your horse is doing what any horse does. He is acting naturally. When the point of his interest is gone, he goes back to doing what he wants. Remember this: You can't buy friendship you have to earn it.

Answer 2

eh. i wouldn't take it too personally. treats are probably one of the very little pleasures he'll have left in life. just spoil him because when he passes on you'll be upset. believe me.

Answer 3

These are the kind of problems that are created by "treating" your horses.   They are smart and know where you keep them.  Horses are usually mostly movitivated by food, especially yummy treats so you have taught your horse that you are basically useless and have nothing to offer unless there is a bag of treats around.  You can alter this but only if you work at changing your relationship.  Your horse doesn't respect you and prefers the horsey herd.  This is relatively normal so don't fret about it.  Change it if you want to put in the time.

Answer 4

stop giving him treats all the time show him that you can come to see him without treats like give him a good massage then every now and then give him a treat then they will become "treats" again its kind of like the spoiled kids who is never satisfied

Answer 5

When you get him out, spend more time bonding with him and try to make the things you do together more enjoyable for him, too. For instance, don't tack him up every time you get him out - just get him out, groom him, walk him around, and let him casually graze as he pleases and pet him often... I have a Standardbred filly like this but she's finally taken a liking to me since I started to "entertain" her and will stand in the pasture with me and let me handle her. But, don't get discouraged if he doesn't respond the first time or two... Give it time and he will figure out that every time you come around doesn't always mean -work-. Also, I would advise not using treats as much... He's spoiled to them! That could be a reason that he seems to get "annoyed" and walk away. Simply use one when he comes to you. Only use them to reward him... Keep him guessing! Hope this helps! Good luck!!!

Answer 6

At 30 years old your horse has earned the right to prefer treats over you.  When you get older, you'll understand it better.  just give him the treats and let him enjoy whatever he wants to....hasn't he spent long enough pleasing people?