Horse wants to eat grass all the time

[Morgan3]

I know it's a little early in the season to ask this question, but how do I get my horse to not eat grass all the time while being ridden? My horse wants to eat grass while out on the trails. When we are in the ring, his attention is averted to the grass that grows outside the the rail. I have tried doing circles with him, but he is very smart and has started doing his own circles, knowing exactly when he should do them. He knows when he puts his head down to eat, and I pull the rein to get his head up, he backs up and does a circle, we walk a few steps and the process starts all over again. He does this while riding bareback and with a saddle on. I used to be able to ride him without him doing this, but I think since I haven't corrected the problem properly, he realizes that he can do this all the time now. :( Help!!!

[entreat]

Don't let his head drop! My stock pony used to do this all the time! It's a form of napping. If you let his head drop a foot, you're not acting soon enough. Keep you leg on & him moving forward, and use short sqeezes on the reins to prevent him from just leaning against your hands and reefing the reins. Horses love a nice steady pressure to push against, and the reins are no different.

Someone else might have a different approach..

[ruthwaddi]

You could always use grass reins.

Get one long piece of baler twine and thread it through the D rings on the front of your saddle. then down through the brow band and finally tie each end to the bit. Hey presto he will not be able to get his head onto the floor but can stretch his head forward enough for small jumps etc

All the naughty riding school ponies where I learnt to ride had these on, and you may find once you've broken the cycle you can try without them.

[Morgan_girl]

I agree with everyone. Once you feel his is going to put his head down, correct him before he does it. DO NOT wait until he does it. A couple of suggestions you can do: maybe while you are on the rail, work further off of it. A it keeps him away from the grass and it is also go if you take him to shows, he will not be so rail dependent. On the trail, play in his mouth a bit. Let him know you are there. Dont pull hard, just "bump" the reins. When he feels like his is moving toward grass, bump a little harder, keeping him paying attention to you.
Maybe half blinkers could work. It will keep his mind on what in front of him, not to the side. But work him on the ground to let him get used to them first.

What Ruthwadi is talking about, is an overcheck, or if you have the right bridle a side check will do the same thing. Not trying to contradict Ruthwadie, obviously baleing twine is the easiest way to go. But watch out for rubbing. If he drops his head a lot, twine could rub the hair off of his poll and possible face. Also DO NOT put it on too tight. If he is not used to it, it could spoke him and cause him to rear. Again work him on the ground first, to make sure he knows what will happen when he drops his head.

[Morgan3]

Thanks everyone, can't wait to try some of your ideas! :D

[jUmPingIsLifE]

At camp some horses are horrible about going down for grass with beginners on the trail so we put grass reins on them. and its exactly what someone else allready talked about with the bailing twine. i know autumn asks for the grass before he goes down for it. he lowers his head a little and tucks his nose and all i have to say is 'no' and he brings his head back up. but sometimes i do let him i just sit there and after a while of his 'asking' phase he will go down for a yummy treat. if you know when your horse is about to put his head down (by a slight lowering of the head) just stop it there.

[Dizzy]

Keep him going forward off your legs, and do not give the rien forward. He can only stop and eat if you allow him. Don't be frightened to give a good growl and strong aid (whip behind your leg).

If he's anything like my horses, he has approx 22 hours of the days to eat, so I don't think its asking too much for him to listen and do your bidding for a couple of hours.

[hackedoff]

First of all does he get enough grazing or is his field grass poor? He could be trying to tell you something! I let my horse have two 'snacks' when we are out, one on the way home one on the way back but only when I drop the rein buckle on his neck and say 'would you like some grass?' ( have taught this from the ground first, of course) I dont mind meeting him half-way on this.

[Morgan3]

He has has a huge field with good grass, but when I take him out to graze after grooming, I take him to areas that he doesn't have access to in the field that must taste a lot better to him. (he looks forward to that!) I have definitely spoiled him and have to slowly train him to see that he can't always get grass when he wants it. I know I have to do it slowly and not cold turkey...I tried that and he didn't like it. Everyone has a lot of great ideas! The real test will be when all that good grass grows in the spring. :)
I'll let you know what happens!

[Dizzy]

I'm afraid there's only one way to say 'no, that's not acceptable behaviour'. Horses need us to be crystal clear in what is good acceptable) and bad (unacceptable) behaviour.

If you imagine unacceptable behaviour to be BLACK, and each time he/she steps out of line they are disciplined and growled at, and acceptable behaviour to be WHITE each they respond obediently they are praised - and you have learning curve that they will educate them.

If you allow a GREY area. where you allow unacceptable behaviour to pass without discipline, he/she will be confused, and lose respect for you.

You must decide whether you want him to grab at grass when you're riding him, or whether you want him to listen to you - there is no weaning period, you must either become a rider and teacher - or remain being a passenger, and lower than your horse in its pecking order.

[Morgan3]

I totally agree Dizzy. :D