One user has written to H&C for advice about their pony's greedy bad habits:

"When we're bringing our horses in from the field or returning from a ride, my sister’s pony Domino will always try to race back to his stable just to get to his food. What can she do to stop him doing this?"

The H&C team replies:

"It sounds like Domino needs a change of routine. If he knows that it is feed time directly after work, or when coming in from the field, then he will always rush back to the box.

Firstly, you should give a horse plenty of time to digest his feed before being ridden, but also remember that horses need time to cool down after work before they get fed. For this reason, you shouldn't feed him directly after being ridden, and then he shouldn't associate being fed with finishing work.

When you are bringing him in from the field, spend some time grooming him so he learns he always has to wait for his food. If Domino rushes back to the box when you're leading him, turn him round and lead him straight back to the where he started and keep returning to the start until he learns to walk back sensibly into his stable. The moment he starts to rush, turn sharply away from the direction he wants to go. Every time he does as you ask of him, praise him and relax the rope.  

It is a case of repetition and sticking to a routine that sometimes can be a bit more time consuming for us. It is so easy to just bring horses in to the box and have everything ready before hand, but just by tying him up and grooming before he goes in to the stable, I am sure Domino will not be in such a rush for his dinner."