Hand-grazing

[SarahB]

Hi everyone.
Does anyone take their horse out regularly for a walk on a lead and let them just graze?
If you do does it cause issues with barging or munching while riding? Tri was very bargy when I first had him and has been great lately. I have been letting him munch the bits of green grass on the way to the muddy 'turnout field' and he is beginning to pull a bit again.
I can't expect him to understand when he can eat and when he can't It always is me who decides enough is enough as obviously he would go on for ever, so I end up pulling him up and ending his pleasure.
When riding my daughter or I dismount when he can graze and try not to let him eat when we are in the saddle.
I don't want him to be confused and get pushy again I just thought it would be nice to let him get some grass instead of hay.
Obviously he will be turned out soon on the GREEN field.
I know he is not a dog but taking him for a walk seemed a nice idea
Thanks
SarahB

 

[Showjumper]

I love hand-grazing Dolly. She enjoys it, and it's great for our bond However, she is learning that she can only eat when I'm on the ground, not on board.

 

[SarahB]

Hi Showjumper
I think it would help us to 'bond' too.
Thanks also for your links. Just printed details of the bareback pads for someone on our yard. Hopefully you will get an order soon (bet she orders the leopard print )

 

[galadriel]

I worked on teaching mine only to graze when I offered; that is to say, you *can* expect them to know when is okay and when isn't, if you make sure to teach it that way.

I started off not permitting them to eat at all, then every so often I would stop, wait for the horse to be attentive, then say "Want some grass?" and reach down to tap the ground. When I was ready to move on, I tugged the rope a bit and said "Enough."

I like to let them graze and to give them the opportnity to enjoy themselves when out with me But I can't let them think it's their idea. If they tug towards the grass, they don't get any. If they're attentive, I will offer and allow it. That way we don't have problems when I really need them to be attentive; they have come to understand that they may graze, but not all of the time.

 

[virtuallyhorses]

Originally posted by SarahB

I can't expect him to understand when he can eat and when he can't It always is me who decides enough is enough as obviously he would go on for ever, so I end up pulling him up and ending his pleasure.

Why not? this is just a training issue. When I allow Imp to eat I point at the location, slow down and say 'do you want that?' in the same tone each time - when he has a sniff I say 'it's ok'. When I want him to move off I say 'come on' cluck and finally put some pressure on the lead rope, if it takes more than a finger's pressure I swing the leadrope at him and go toward him aggressively and make him back up.

If we're walking along (leading) he's allowed to 'smell' the grass provided it doesn't break any of our leading rules - i.e. he cannot put pressure on the leadrope and may not pass my shoulder. If he goes for a sneaky bite - same rules apply i.e. I let it go provided that there is slack on the line (he's gotta be fast) - I usually give a quick 'ah' and his head comes up because I have a habit of stopping and backing up when he least expects it. So I guess the game is ' you can do that provided you still keep your attention on me' - anytime any pressure goes on the leadrope that breaks the rules and I do something unexpected - either trot off or back into him, either way he has to be ready to go so 'snacking' is not acceptable.

Once your leading protocols are established it makes for extremely pleasant walks and he is allowed lots of hand grazing - he doesn't barge or pull because he is sure of the rules and knows that he is allowed frequent grazing opportunities. Because you have this relationship you'll find that your horse is a lot more relaxed - Imp will often return to me and touch\sniff me lightly with his nose when we're out before returning to his grazing - it's like he's checking in with you.

 

[SarahB]

Thanks VH
You and Gala give great answers. Will work a bit on my leading and off we will go. By the look of the pictures on your reply, Galadriel, you have a beautiful place to walk in
Thanks again
Sarah
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[Bebe]

I used to hand graze Bebe quite a lot when she was in a field that didn't have any herbs or weeds for her to eat. We came to an understanding that if she was allowed to dawdle behind on a long lead, she could eat. If I asked her to walk beside me at a decent pace, she didn't eat. Worked well for us.

She's on better grazing at the moment (lots of herbs, etc) now so I don't handgraze her so much. When she goes onto summer grazing, which is less varied, I'll hand graze her on the lane going up to the yard as there's lots of nice stuff in the hedgerow.

I do the same thing whilst riding. If she's on a loose rein and being allowed to dawdle, it means she can stop for grass though she must walk on when I pick up the reins and put my leg on. If she's on a contact (even on a long rein - not loose) she's not to eat. Works for us 99% of the time and makes for a horse that doesn't rush back to the yard as there's always the chance she can have a snack