Mouth height grass/cow parsley etc

[sillymillie]

I've ridden many horses in my time but this one who is gorgeous but unfortunately laminitic is obsessed with green stuff when out hacking. He normally is very well behaved but if gets too close to grass he will lunge for it and he is strong. Find it hard to walk/trot or canter through green fields or narrow bridleways due to this awful habit. A clack down shoulder with the whip or a dig in the side with heel if can catch him in time usually helps but he is very clever and quick.

Any suggestions please as I have never had to deal with this before.

By the way - he is not starved - he has a very nice large bare area and plenty of hay.

[Thistle]

You could try a daisy rein - or a piece of baler twine from headpiece to d rings on saddle ( I'm no good at explaining without a pic but you need to knot the twine so that you can make it into a 'Y' shape), just make sure it's not too tight. It needs to be just short enough to stop him reaching the grass. I hope this helps, it should at least save you having to pull his head back up all the time!

[carthorse]

Fitting a flash, grackle or drop will help. They won't stop him diving for the grass but he won't be able to open his mouth to get a good mouthful & without that reward he'll hopefully stop trying so hard. Also if his mouth isn't wide open & stuffed with grass it's a lot easier to get him back out of any tasty patch he does get into!

[Lucyad]

I feel that my horse is cow parsley deprived as there is none in his feild (Oh, I wonder why!!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:). So we strike a deal that I let him stop for a munch ocassionally, but if he tries without being offered he has to halt, pressure release, possibly even back up, and if I am feeling particularly cruel, do a halt trot transition!!! He soon agrees to accept when it is offered (when he has been doing particualry nice work - schooling while hacking).

Isnt it strange how they love it so much - must be like chocolate to humans or something!!!

[sillymillie]

Thanks for all your help, yes I think it is like choc to us poor things.
I like the idea of letting them eat and then carry on hacking. So that you are in control of what they eat not them! Good idea. Thanks. So glad others have the same problem though. I don't like artificial aides but what can one do? Must try the side reins or baler twine, good idea! Thanks all very much.