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Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 233
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 10:47 am: |   |
Hello All,
I need some tips/tricks for keeping your horse from constantly snatching at food on the trail. My little mustang is relentless at eating along the way. I don't like jerking him away when he tries it as I don't want to make him unresponsive to the bit. I've also tried pushing him into a trot when he tries it but that doesn't work very well as the varying terrain could cause a bad stumble. It's really annoying when he's jerking on your hands the whole time you're out, which in my case is 3 - 4 hours at a time. He's also definitely not underfed and is reacting out of hunger.
Any tips from others would be welcome. I may resort to riding with a muzzle if it didn't interfere with bit action. (ha ha).
Thanks! |
Dennis Taylor
Member
Username: Dtranch
Post Number: 96
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 11:39 am: | |
Holly ... a pretty common dilema.
What I teach is proactive riding ... genrally, you can feel and anticipate when that urge is coming and redirect elsewhere. Gives to the bit, half halts, etc. When the head is down and munching, it is too late and twice as hard to stop. Also, as a foundation, I rarely allow grazing when tacked up and working. You are absolutely right ... it is not out of hunger, it is just a natural response ... sort of like me and "Crispy Cremes". We just need to train and instill a different natural response. This has worked well for me, and most of my horses don't even think of grazing while trailing any more.
DT |
Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 235
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 12:03 pm: | |
Unfortunately, where I ride the trails are overflowing with good things to eat and it's right there at his nose constantly. He even eats Scotch Broome and delicately pulls blackberry leaves off. The majority of the trails are narrow so this has become quite an issue. I too rarely allow grazing when tacked up unless I dismount for a rest stop but this little dude is really trying my patience. The funny thing is when I ask for a halt on the trail he doesn't eat at all; only when we're moving.
I will try your suggestions Dennis and train to be softer with the bit in the arena. In the meantime, I will ride him in a bosal on the trails so I don't inadvertently hurt his mouth.
Clinton Anderson's take is train in a wide open area and whenever he trys to eat, have him sidepass, do small circles around your leg, etc. so he relates eating with working.
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Alden Chamberlain
Member
Username: Alden
Post Number: 105
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 5:26 pm: | |
I ride with split reins and I’ll slap the top of my boot with a loose end when they reach for a bit. With my horses that brings their heads up and they can’t eat. Of course don’t do it in a dangerous section or to strongly at first. My horses know what it means and don’t spook. Another horse might come three feet of the ground, do a double gainer and be headin’ for the barn before the second slap.
But it has worked good for me.
Good day,
Alden |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 245
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 8:47 pm: | |
When training I use Dennis' technique. However, once a horse has learned, or in your situation where the vegetation is nose high, I carry a small whip and tap the horse on the shoulder when he starts to open his mouth to eat. Of course, a lot of endurance rider actually encourage their horses to nibble as they go. |
Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 237
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 10:38 am: | |
Thanks for all suggestions and willing to take more. Alden, I'll definitely try the boot slapping as well as working to direct his attention away. I've been using the rein end to tap him to encourage faster walking; he flicks his ears back when I do it and doesn't nibble. Speaking of faster walking, I saw him yesterday moving across the paddock at a walk of at least 4.5 miles an hour so I know he's capable. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 409
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 3:41 pm: | |
Holly,
I think that just your leg should be enough to bring his head up if he pulls on the reins, to eat or for any other reason. If not, you need to school him a bit more in half halts.
Pulling back on the reins to lift his head is simply ineffective. We always lose in pulling games with any horse.
Generally, if every attempt to chew on the scenery results in a couple of half halts and ten steps in a collected frame, they get the idea pretty fast.
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Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 239
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 4:58 pm: | |
Thanks Cristos. This horse is a very very green critter with only about 30 hours on his back. Half halts and collection is still down the road a bit. I may start carrying a whip for a light tap behind the leg or on the shoulder and/or do the rapping the boot. I really enjoy being with this horse and want him to enjoy going out on rides too. The snacking along the way is very tiresome though. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 410
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 5:47 pm: | |
Well, Holly, I do believe that half halts, ie respecting and giving to the bit and your leg, are lesson one.
By collection, I mean any little one that the horse can offer for now. Even a hint of it may be enough for a young horse.
If he does not bring his head up with your leg, a tap with a dressage whip behind your heel should catch his attention and persuade him that he may not ignore that leg as he pleases. Just remember, leg first!
I believe that slapping anything with the reins jerks the bit and horses don't like it. Just a minor annoyance, perhaps, if one has very good hands and it's on a long rein, but anyway, why make the horse unresponsive to little shifts of the bit? Wouldn't you like this horse to work on just the rein's weight one day? |
Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Cowgrl
Post Number: 241
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 2004 - 10:39 am: | |
Well, I just lost access to the local indoor arena I was using for the last 10 years as the owner decided with two trainers and a number of boarders, there was too much activity so my schooling has been severely curtailed. Yes, I know all about leg to hand collection having trained eventers and jumpers for a number of years, not to mention working for a member of the USET and an offer of a job working for Ian Miller.
I ride with a long rein and do not put any pressure on the bit when I tap behind my leg. My reins are typically 8 feet long so there's plenty of extra at the end. I will start riding with a dressage whip for reinforcement of my leg. I'm doing a long ride this weekend and I'll report on any progress. |
