I never allow the horses to approach any feed (hay or their pelleted feed) until I give them the go ahead. I will not place the feed until they back away and wait politely. Then they must wait until I step away before going to eat. Once they are eating I will approach and scratch their neck occasionally but for the most part I just leave them to enjoy their meal in peace. With a baby like yours, she just doesn't know any different and just like she needs/needed to learn that kicking and biting are not okay she needs to be gently but firmly (sometimes firmly means its not quite so gently if they push me) taught to have manners at dinner time. I'm wondering if she shares with another horse so she has learned she must get the feed while she can or loose out? If that is the case I suggest feeding alone, that should help alleviate some of this problem. For horses who crowd me I will first turn and face them, make myself big and growl or hiss at them to stop their approach. If that doesn't work I will march into their chest to back them away each time they enter my bubble (I like at least 2 preferably 3 feet of space) For the really determinedly pushy ones(rarely the case with a baby) a swat across the chest (never the head) with a crop (I really like the ones with the folded leather ends that make a nice popping sound) is usually enough to really make my point clear.
