Food For Thought – Does Food Have A Place In Training?

In this article, Food for Thought (Intelligent Horsemanship, Winter 2017), the writers explore whether food rewards can be used responsibly within Intelligent Horsemanship. While Monty Roberts firmly discourages hand-feeding—warning that it can cause biting and confuse leadership—he and Kelly Marks acknowledge that food can still have a role when used carefully and with understanding. The article explains that positive reinforcement isn’t just about giving treats; scratches, rest, or removing pressure can be equally rewarding to a horse.

It outlines safe, practical ways to use food, such as building positive associations during loading, vet visits, or desensitisation, but stresses never feeding directly from the hand. It also discusses clicker training—why Monty avoids it, but how some trainers, like Sarah Weston, use it selectively and with strict boundaries. Kelly Marks shares her own experiences of how easy it is to teach unintended behaviours and reminds us that “it’s not what you think you’re teaching, it’s what the horse is learning.”

Overall, the article urges thoughtful, consistent handling. Food can be a useful tool, but only when paired with awareness, timing, and a clear sense of what behaviour is truly being reinforced.