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Discussion on Eating while trail riding
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Member:
Irwin
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 2:18 pm:
I have not been able to find anything here on this subject, and it is one that has plagued me during the training of all three of my trail horses - they want to munch on things as we ride down the trail. I have tried several things with my oldest mare to try to get her to stop eating. I notice she does it mainly when she is a little nervous about something. Anyway, I read somewhere that as soon as they take a bite, you ask them to go faster. I tried that a few times and after awhile, she would take a bite and run!! I've tried turning her in circles, stopping and backing - all to no avail. I am in the process of training her daughter, and she has decided to take a bite every now and then. Has anyone had success with stopping this anoying habit?
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 2:32 pm:
Sherry ... My method is pretty simple, but is very effective. The trick is to be proactive and anticipate the munchies. When you feel the horse preparing to take a bite, distract them with a lateral flex, a one rein stop, or just a slight give to the bit .. opposite of the side they are preparing to go after the goodies. It takes just a little practice, but the key is to act "before" they have rewarded themselves with the snack. It's easy to get a little relaxed on the trail and let the horse do its own thing while we visit, so the hard part is staying focused in the beginning. I use this method on all my horses, and eventually they don't even think about snacking. I use the same theory even when not on the trail but in any thing we are working on. The rule is, no snacks when tacked up, or in any workout session. You will be surprsed at how quick they learn this. The main problem is, if we act after they have the snack, then they get the reward anyway. This has always worked for me. Good luck.
DT
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Member:
Irwin
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 3:14 pm:
Dennis, Thanks so much for the advice. I thought I was doing what you suggest, but maybe I am not being consistent. It is very easy to anticipate when they are going to snack, and I try to pull their heads to the opposite side from the goodies. Could it be that I am not doing it soon enough? Should I wait until they stop after asking them to flex?
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 3:43 pm:
Sherry .. I thought from your original post, that your action was "after" she had taken a bite. If so, it is very important to act before. I don't get real detailed in this procedure, I just work the reins to one side or the other and follow with verbal command "no". I am very consistent with this as with all training. The command must always be the same, and the action must "never" be permitted. Another important factor is that I try to time it with the intention to eat so that they relate the action with the eating. Otherwise, they will think it is just another training exercise. The first few rides, you will be very busy, but I swear it gets better.
DT
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Member:
Irwin
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 3:48 pm:
Dennis, I will start tonight and let you know how it goes. I know from experience they they learn quickly if you are just consistent. Thanks again!
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Aug 9, 2004 - 5:11 pm:
I had posted this same topic and got several responses on what to do but none of them work for my situation. It's somewhere in the trail section or training a horses mind, I can't remember exactly. My little guy is insatiable! Where I ride it's impracticle to do the flexing to the side when he goes to snack as on most of the trails, the goodies are close in right there at nose height for the entire length of the trail. If he couldn't snack on one side and you flex him to the opposite, he'll just take from that side. I'm having a light muzzle made for him. A friend rides his mule in an anti-grazing muzzle but that seems too heavy. I am having our local saddle maker do one out of mesh netting with a crown piece strap to hold it on. I know it's going to look dumb but he is so insistant and he knows I don't like it so expects the tug on his mouth that a muzzle is the only recourse.
Hope you have better luck Sherry.
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Member:
Irwin
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 10, 2004 - 8:21 am:
Holly. . the thought of a muzzle did cross my mind, and I may resort to something like that if this other method does not work. I feel your pain of riding in tall grass and having the food slap them in the face. I wonder if the muzzle would have to be permanent or if they would return to their old habits if the muzzle is removed after awhile. All I know is that it is very annoying and frustrating.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 10, 2004 - 10:28 am:
I know. It gets so aggravating that he's always at it. And, while he's reaching for that next bite, he's not watching where he's going so if there's something to trip over he will. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll stop if I remove the muzzle after a bit because it's not teaching him not to do it, just preventing it.
Grrrr!
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Member:
Irwin
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 10, 2004 - 1:47 pm:
Holly. . I just found the posting you did back in June on this same subject and read the suggestions. It seems that I have tried almost all of those suggestions, but maybe I should be more diligent in making sure I do it EVERY time for a few trail rides. What a pain!! Now I'm trying to keep the young one from picking up this bad habit. She doesn't do it very often, but even once or twice on a ride is too much. I would be glad to hear how your muzzle works. I understand you are also dealing with a young horse, right?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 11, 2004 - 9:01 am:
When our children were first learning to ride we used a homemade over-check that kept the horses head up. This can be purchased from Dover as a "anti-grazing device" but they were only available for small ponies. On each side a piece of leather ran from the saddles front D rings through the crown piece down through the bit's ring then back to the saddle. This was loose enough for the horse to have free motion when ridden but not allow the horse to reach down.
DrO
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 11, 2004 - 4:48 pm:
That would be great Doc, but most of the goodies are at nose level; no reaching down involved.
Yes, he's a four year old mustang that I've been riding regularly just since this spring. I ponied him for a while and that's where he picked up the habit. If I had the muzzle for him while ponying, he never would have started. Ah well, hindsight is 20 20.
You know those "Miracle collars" that are supposed to cure a horse from cribbing by giving him a slight shock whenever he starts, maybe I could use it for teaching him not to eat. Everytime he'd take a bite, he'd be punished and maybe soon get the idea that it's not fun anymore. Aversion Therapy. LOL.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 5, 2004 - 4:08 pm:
Update on trail munching. I got the muzzle but haven't used it yet or needed to. Ever since I started doing the Parelli training, he's eating less and less on the trail. He still does it to a certain extent but not nearly what he used to. I talked to my trainer and he and I both think it was a respect issue. I've worked with him on "join up", if you will, and he's now viewing me as his leader. This said, he is starting to quit this annoying behavior on his own. Riding him on trail is once again a fun and pleasant experience.
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