More on mealtime tantrums

I was very surprised by “Silencing Mealtime Tantrums” (Hands On, EQUUS 448), which suggested feeding the complainer first or isolating the horse so he can eat in private. Why cater to bad behavior when instead you can build a relationship of true partnership and respect with your horse?

I have eight horses on my property, and I used to feed at the same time every day, which I did as soon as I got to the barn. First one horse started banging and nipping at his neighbors, so I fed him first. The next day was worse. In time, all the horses were fussing, stomping and whinnying the minute they saw me.

I finally realized that they had me