It sounds like your horse has never been taught the proper way to behave at feeding time. I don't know his past, but it could be that he had to fight for his food at some point. But, let's see if we can fix it.
First, get you an arm extension or carrot stick or whatever you want to call it. Tie a plastic bag (like a wal-mart bag) on the end of it. Put your horse in a larger enclosed environment (rather than a stall). Put his feed in his pan. When he rushes at the feed, like he probably will, shake the arm extension with the bag on it, in front of him and make a loud SHHHHH sound. He will probably freak out at this point and wonder what is going on.
Make him back away from you, steadily shaking the bag. Once he is away, stop shaking the bag. If he tries to rush back, repeat this step again. Once he starts to lick his lips, this means he is thinking about what just happened. He will try and figure out another way to get to his food. Pretty soon he will ask to come and get his food and do it calmly.
Be persistent with this. Every time you feed him, for a while, be prepared. If he start to rush, shake that bag.
Patient traning methods by: Tommy Lee
Horses can be like children always Impatient. By being there caretaker, hault there regular feeding times to a slower one. Haulting until there showing signs of submission, then reward them.
Horses read reactions just as they read themselves. No need to get mad only more patient at feeding time. Play with it for a few weeks then you can build more from there.
When we house new horses for a month or so I like our boarders to know I have worked there horses into a better horse.
If you have stalls for your horses, I have trained each horse by name to go into there own stalls for feeding. Some may take a bit longer but dont give up.. Good luck...
My Horse Is Really Aggresive At Feeding Time.... by: Anonymous
My horse was also very aggressive at feeding time. You need to gain respect from him before you feed (you could back him up and see if he moves out of the way good and you could also do groundwork with him). Go in an open space if you can (like in a round pen) and get either some grain or hay- which ever you give him. Get a "carrot" stick (a training stick) and get the food out like you would regularly with him at feeding time (remember, this is not his meal). You should also get the training stick and use that also. If he tries to bite, kick, etc, then back him up far. Always be careful with any horse while feeding them, especially with an aggressive horse that could bite or kick. You should (could) have him on a lead rope so you have a better grip on him.
