always wants to eat !

[Rick]

So far I am doing better with my 1/4 horse and having fun learning.

Does anyone have a horse that always wants to eat? Last weekend we were trail riding and as always Sherman trys to eat anything that looks good that comes close to his face. He will see a limb in front of him while I ride him and he will almost break his neck to get a mouth full of leaves as he walks by. He trys this with long stemed weeds and grass as he's walking.I watch him and try to figure out when he goes for a bite and stop him by tighting up on the reins and not letting him stretch his neck. This was getting real tiresome after a hour or so. You would think he would get the hint not to try because I will get in his mouth with the bit , but he keeps on doing it. If we stop at all with grass at his feet he will not stop trying to eat. Even after I get on him about it.

The reason I ask this, is he came real close to getting a mouth full of real sharp pricker bushes. I pulled him away just in time but the bush caught his mane (which is nice and long) and when he pulled away the bush just kept grabbing till he jerked his head and got away. Must have hurt though he would flip his head up and down for a while. Then calmed down.

Is this a bad vice ? I dont seem to see alot of other horses doing it. At least not to the same extreme. He is getting plenty of food from me !

[Rachel R]

My old pony used to try and turn every ride into a "picnic ride". Quite apart from being annoying for the rider, there is also a danger that they might eat something poisonous. If you want to stop this habit you must be very consistent. ALWAYS insist that you won't accept it. Stopping them for half the ride and then giving in will just encourage them that their behavour gets them what they want.
You must maintain your rein contact and push your horse forwards from your legs. Give him someting else to think about, and make him work harder everytime he tries to eat. If you can, keep your distance from the hedges and trees.
If he always tries to get his head down to eat in fields, you could attatch grass reins as a temporary fix, but you will probably find that once you remove them he will go back to eating.
The main thing is to make sure that you are consistent with your horse and he should learn fairly quickly how you want him to behave.

Rachel

[This message has been edited by Rachel R (edited 09 November 1999).]

[Kaz]

Hello
You could try using grass reins. They needn't be expensive just a piece of baler twine would do. Though they don't always work however because at the stables where I ride all the school ponies do this and one is a shetland cross who is so small he dosn't have to strech out to eat a tall pieces of grass he just waits for them to come to him!
Karen

[Rick]

Thanks for the response. I try very hard to not let him snatch a little bite from whatever comes close but in doing so I feel that I'm always tugging on his mouth. I don't want him to become hard mouthed. He is very relentless in wanting to try all the time. I will be firm and see if He lets up and maybe slows down the habit.

What about the grass reins ? What are they? I think I can picture them. Do they run from the horn to the reins so that he bumps his own mouth? I thought about this myself.

[Rachel R]

Hi Rick,

Grass reins can be fitted in two ways. Are you riding western? If so you may need to adjust this a bit, I'm just not quite sure how.

Grass Reins:
1. Run rein from bit ring (on top of rein)up the face to the brow band. Thread through brow band loops and attatch to saddle D ring on same side. Do this on both sides.

2. Attatch to bit above rein and cross over neck to attatch to the girth strap on the opposite side. Do this on both sides.

If I haven't explained this very well, e-mail me and I'll fax you a picture (sorry I don't have a scanner!).

Make sure that they are not too tight and that the horse has room for normal movement. There is also the danger that your saddle may be pulled forwards when your horse goes to eat.

If you are worried that you are pulling his mouth, you could try using flexi rein inserts to soften the contact. Remember to keep using your legs to push your horse forwards. Perhaps every time he tries it, push him on into trot for a few strides. Remember to be consistent though.

Rachel

[This message has been edited by Rachel R (edited 10 November 1999).]

[Sarah]

hello!

I am glad to hear that you are doing well with your new horse. It sounds like a horse after my own heart, i love picking blackberries as i ride at this time of year!

Grass reins are a piece of baler twine tied from the D rinds at the front of the saddle to the bit. You might neeed to get some help to make sure hat they are tied the right lenght so that the horse can still move its head and neck enough to walk comfortably but so that he can't stretch down for a mouthful.

This will work to stop him eating inthe short run, but really you have to work on getting him to listen to you and move off your leg so that he isn't just doing what he wants as he goes along. Hopefully with time and some schooling he will start to listen to you more.

bye!

[Nancy]

Hi Rick,
I share a little quarter/arab mix with a 75 year old grandma. We call her the "Galloping Grandma".When she is riding she allows the horse to eat when ever he wants. He's been known to grab a branch even at a lope. This can become dangerous. She also lets him move around when she mounts. I started riding the same horse and at first he tried all the same moves. You have to be kind but consistent. I use very soft hands, but I do not let him eat once he is saddled. I even save the sugar and carrots until after the ride and when the saddle is off. I also make him stand a minute after mounting. It took about 6 months. Now it just takes one slight squeeze on the reins when he goes to grab a branch. But when grandma rides, he still has lunch. He's like a small kid. He'll see what he can get away with!
Good luck,
Happy trails,
Nancy