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Horse Behavior and Training

How to keep him from grazing when working?

By:
Kicki -- Sweden
Date:
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

I'd love to hear what other people have done to make their (young) horses refrain from grazing when out working, in a non-abusive way of course.
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I'm not talking about riding here - he's only two y.o, and the most work I do is in lines and a Dually halter.
He's quite good at long lining, but the outdoor (sand)arena gets boring for both of us very quickly, and he will get sluggish.
Out in the forest he's really forward going, but grass steals his attention every time. It's not that he's all that hungry either since he is out in a big field day and night.
Since he is still pretty new at his, the aids for moving forward (clicking my tongue) isn't quite imprinted in him, so standing behind him and make noises like a hyperactive squirrel won't do me much good once his nose is down. At best I probably teach him that clicking tongue means "eat"...*LOL*
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Any good ideas out there?

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Hi Kicki

They get quite crafty and quick at grabbing for that grass dont they?! :-) I agree it is a habit that needs to be stopped as soon as possible. I'm assuming from your description that you are longlining him through the forest as you say you are stood behind him...what is he like if you lead him on the same route? Does he grab for the grass then or are you able to anticpate it and utilise the Dually to prevent him?

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Hi viccihh1
Thanks for answering!
He is a lot better when I lead him, but will of course make the odd attempt - esp. if we make a stop.
I try to anticipate and prevent, but I'm sure I could be better at it.
We sometimes get into an "discussion" where his argument consists of grabbing the line in his mouth to stop it from bothering him.

Rudi - Pratteln, Switzerland
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

There is a German author that has based his ideas on Monty Roberts. He has written a book "Be strict" (in German). Maybe eating grass is only a part of a general problem? Are you always strict? The horse will stand still when you mount, when you clean him? He does not bite or rub or push you?
Rudi

rowan tree
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hi Kicki

Your horse sounds like a character - I have a highland pony with similar issues that I am trying to put to rights and I know fine well that I have contributed to the probelem with a lack of strictness on my part in the past. I am now working on being strict - standing still and not eating when mounting for example- doing lots of in hand work along grass verged lanes with the dually and also riding in the dually so I am no
t banging his mouth when he grabs at the verge - it is all working and last night our hack was wonderful. I think Rudi is probably right with the strict thing as I know this is where I went wrong. If we are hving a picnic break I make sure there is a clear concise gesure to allow grass eating by getting off, taking off the saddle or lossening the girth and clipping off of the trainging ring and onto the normal ring - this way we can still haev our chill out time together on nicesummer days and then when I say its time to go - its time to go and our heads are back onto riding. DOnt know if this helps any but thought I'd share my experience.

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Thanks, guys!
I will certainly keep that in mind. It may well be due to lack of being strict enough. The problem arises mainly when I'm long-lining - I guess because the signals through the lines will invariably be delayed by their lengths, and the fact that I am walking behind him out of kicking reach. (Not that he has ever kicked out, but you can never be too safe when handling youngsters!)
I figure I need to take a step back and practice more in leading in the Dually. :)

rowan tree
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hi Kiki

Yeh this is what I did, lots more in hand work with lots of tempting green lush grass and plenty schooling - was a challenge for me to do this too ;0)
With the long lines I school by reigning back whenever I need to het his attention and this helped. I dont have a sand arena to work in and the small area of nice flat dry ground I have fenced off to work in is where the best grass is as they are not on there to graze it so I sympathise - having the best area to work in ie a sand arena would be great but hey - I guess this helps us work at our disciplin more - I used home made grass reins today made from bailer twine) (sometimes called daisy reins) and this stops him being able to put his head down - he gets a consequence when he tries and immediate release of pressure when he brings his head back up - you should be able to find them on-line - I would rather not use gadgets but these do the job and work on the pressure and release or picnic theory perfectly. Good luck with your baby

rowan tree
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hey
How are you getting on with your grass grabbing baby ;0)

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

We're getting there! Thank you for asking. :)
I've adopted the regime where he can eat when I clip the line onto the middle ring = recess time. (After I have removed lines etc.) He got that one very quickly. :D
Also, when out walking, I try to move on at a good pace and not stop, so he understands that I am not taking him to "better grazing" - which I guess would be logical for a horse to believe. (Why else would the leader move me away?)
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We also attended a clinic in long lining past weekend, and I got help with the "motivating" part - as in making him respond quicker when I ask him to move forward.
Also have to add that Nalle scored lots of points with the instructor for being calm, cooperative and well-behaved (esp. for his age) at all times. He thought he had the right psyche for a good carriage horse - which I take as highest praise from him. :)

Irishwabbit
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

I try when mounted to make the horse back up as Monty says to do then allow the horse the chance to make the same mistake by going back up to the spot again. It has taken up to six times usually 3 to get her to not graze while on her. Walking her I use the Dually so I try to tighten the training ring the moment I feel her neck tighten and go down so I correct her to encourage her to keep her neck level when we walk. So far this has worked well. The 2 yr. old needs more work on this as she takes advantage of my husband when he is walking her and grabs when she can! LOL! Irishwabbit

caroline
Hello! 100 lessons completed

I too am long lineing my two year old and have found that by using my side reins really long ,just enough so he can't reach the floor,has proved really effective as he now no longer tries to munch even when I am not using the side reins.

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