Horse Confused About Why Some Hay Is Off Limits

Dear Lucy,
I am an experienced human expert, but I am confused about one aspect of their behavior, and I hope you can help. I've noticed that sometimes as a special treat, they will hand hay or oats to us in their hands, which extend outward from their bodies like front legs. I have always thought the proper etiquette was to gently take the treat with your lips, not allow teeth to touch their tender skin, and, if necessary lick gently to get all remnants of the treat WITHOUT BITING. But they have also started approaching me while bearing hay and straw on top of their heads, decoratively woven into a sort of headcovering. I appreciate the gourmet presentation, but when I try to apply the same eating etiquette to accept these offerings, they react . . . unfavorably. I've asked my fellow horses about this, and they are also confused. What is the proper way to eat the headcovering treats?
Please advise,
Runarray

Please find enclosed Ex.A showing the dilemma.

Runarray, how confusing! Even more tempting is the way you can just grab this gourmet hay without even touching the human! It would seem like they're just trying to make it easy for you.

Well, this hay headcovering is called a "hat," and most humans wear them to keep the sun off their faces, or just to make people think they are cool, a la Urban Cowboy. The proper way to eat these hay treats is to avoid hesitation. When you see a chance, grab it, and put some distance between yourself and the human. Ideally, a tall and/or barbed wire fence that they would have to waste time climbing over, and on the otherside of a wet patch of mud and poo. If by then you haven't eaten the treat, or they get to you first, show them you mean business by pointing your buttocks at them and shifting your weight on your back feet. Some fearless humans will not stop at that, but the point is to scare them, not really kick. If they really want it back they'll get it, but by then hopefully you've either eaten it or rendered it unacceptable for wear. Then they'll just let you have it. Whatever you do, don't hurt your human. If you do, they'll just longe you for hours and that's a pain in the butt. Totally not worth it for one gourmet hay treat.

Love,
Lucy