Monday, May 24, 2010
I know this is a big problem at my barn. Can horses have just a nibble of grass with their bridles oin?
Answers:
It's a bad habit more than being harmful. If you let him do it a few times, he'll try to take advantage and do it more and more. Some horses figure out that once they get their heads down to eat, many riders aren't strong enough to pull their heads up. More than one person has fallen off when their horse was cantering and stopped suddenly to eat.
There's nothing more annoying than a horse that tries to grab food while riding or every time you stop for a few minutes if there is grass available. I personally don't allow my horses to eat with bridles on. If we stop on a trail ride and they can graze, I remove the bridles and hobble them, or have them wear a rope halter and lead rope under the bridle so the bridle can be removed safely. They know what's expected and what's not, and I'm not cleaning green slobber and chewed grass off of my bits and bridles. This is especially important with showhorses where several hours' grooming/tack cleaning/rider's clothing can be ruined if the horse manages to snag some grass while wearing his bridle and gets green slobber and grass on himself or others.
Some horses have problems chewing thoroughly and swallowing while wearing certain bits. If the horse is dropping half-chewed grass while wearing his bridle, it's a problem. Rarely, a horse can choke on the unchewed grass since the bit inhibits his chewing and swallowing. It's also very easy for the horse to step on a rein and break it, or get his foot through the reins (usually results in a big wreck unless the horse is VERY broke.) If it's frowned upon at your barn, best not to do it.
yes horses are able to eat with there bridles on. But if the horse isnt your horse some trainers dont like the horses to eat when they are working. I let my horses eat with their bridles on!
I'm a trainer and my advice is it depends on your horse. If my horses will be satisfied with a bite here and there, I'll let them
graze with the bridle. Some horses will drag you half out of the saddle to get to grass and then won't bring their heads up without some really strong tactics. Those horses don't graze
while wearing their bridles. Obviously, if you are showing, don't let them do it either unless you like green lips when you go in the ring. So if your horse has some self control, let him have a snack if your standing on some tasty clover. If he takes advantage of you, then no grazing for him. Hope this helps!
Why is this a problem?? Do you have a for/against debate going or do you like to let your guy do this and you're the only one or does everybody else do it and it bothers you? Generally speaking, if my horse is bridled and thinks he can grab grass, he gets in trouble and I try to grab out the grass. He is going to make a mess of green goo, get bits stuck everywhere and futz with the parts that stick in the bit, and could possibly choke [my luck runs this way, I am sending my vet's kids to camp this year]. And we're probably at a show. If you like to let the horse graze, fit him with a hackamore and let him chow. And he will. Bunches. Usually when you want to be doing something else. And sudden head drops can cause you to do interesting airs above the ground when you least expect it, so be sure to wear a helmet and maybe some padding. Aside from hygiene and safety issues, it's a respect thing. When the horse is bridled, it's work time and grazing is goof off time. You two will do better if you keep the two separate. So you can use this as your arguement against it if it's everybody else and you need good reasons because they don't want to listen, or hopefully you got some nice tips here to help you decide if you really want to let your horse indulge.
It's considered a real problem because it's extremely disobedient of your horse to take his focus off you and chomp some grass when he's on the job. Other than that, grass gets stuck on the bit and can get icky so you need to clean it off if he does it. It could get all clumpy and unchewable; best to take it out of his mouth if he tries it.
Prevent the behavior, don't try to fix the aftermath. Just let him know it's unacceptable with the bridle on.
Some people say they might bite their tongue ... myth. It's just an annoying behavior issue.
I am sure a bit is fine, but one reason that a lot of people do not like to allow that is it will train the horse a bad habit of putting his head down and grabbing at grass anytime he feels like it, risking pulling you up over his neck if you are not totally paying attention. It is just as much a measure of bad habit as anything else
Sure you can! Its been going on for years! Just never tie him up with a bit in his mouth, one good spook, and thats trouble!
yes they can because when i8 am riding my horse and we stop for a sec she always bends down and gets a nibble of grass so your horse will be fine. (best answer plz)
Its not going to kill them and a little bite is fine but it's really a bad habit--the horses focus should be on you and not eating...some horses get so bad that you have to swat them on the flank to get them up and moving... and if they do eat too much with their bit in they can potentially choke...The bit doesn't allow them to swallow as easily as they normally do-- when you take the bridle off youll notice that a lot of the grass is stuck to the bit-- meaning it wasnt swallowed. Overall I'd avoid letting your horse eat with it's bridle on.
I don't let my horse.
It's extremely rude and if you constantly let them have a nibble here and there, they think it's okay anytime they want and they become extremely pushy about it and will tell you what their plan is.
It gets caught in their bit, and then the whole time you're riding, they're annoyingly chomping to get those little extra morsels of grass.
So, no grass while the bridle is on!
This is a matter of ettiquette. Ettiquette is confusing as there are many norms for many situations. Think of rules regarding eating for humans. Most of the time you are allowed to eat fried chicken with your fingers, although maybe not at an outside wedding where it is more formal.
Eating with the bridle can be confusing for the horse. Am I allowed to eat and be a horse (horses like to eat for long long periods of time) or am I supposed to work? A little nibble my turn into a jerk fest trying to get him away from the food when it is time to go. He may think it is appropriate to stop and eat while you think it is appropriate to be cantering and he stops short and you don't. On the flip side, sometimes on longer trailride, everyone involved benefits from having a break , and letting the horse eat will also let him relax on the trail. There are bridle/halter combos which allow you to drop the bit and still have the horse's head confined without those few minutes of terror having a total loose horse on trail trying to switch into a regular halter. There are bits specifically made so that you can allow your horse to eat. They are called grazers. (Some bits are not conducive to eating as the grass/hay wrapps and wads around the bit and the horse is unable to swallow.
Be sure to keep your tack clean, watch for signs of wear particularly around where leather wraps around metal, and if you do choose to let your horse eat, clean the food particles out as soon as you come back from the ride. Rotting food severly lessens the life of horse tack.
Happy Trails
I do not let the horses I ride eat grass while they are bridled.
It is unlikely, but possible, that the grass can ball up in the horse's mouth (because the bit is in the way and he cannot eat it properly) and cause choke.
It is also just a bad habit. If you let the horse do it here and there, he will expect he can always do it. This would be terrible at a show, because the horse will end up with green lips and saliva.
And lastly, have you ever tried to clean off caked grass from a bit? The stuff turns to a cement-like hardness!
almost any horse is able to graze or "nibble" even with a bit in it's mouth, but it's a bad habit to let get started. you should keep it's head up off the ground if you're riding because they get spoiled to it fast.
It isn't something I would do often. If you are constantly letting your horse eat grass with his bridle on, he will begin, while you are riding, to try and eat grass when you don't want him to, which can get really annoying. Wait till you're back at the barn and he's in his halter before taking him for grass.
If your horse only grazes when you allow, and isn't stopping at every green patch of grass along the way, then go ahead. You will have to clean green slime off your bit, but it's not going to hurt your horse. Just be sure you don't do it too often..you don't want your horse to think this is appropriate during all riding activities.
iv had my horse for awhile now and every time he trys to eat with a bridal in his mouth he pulls on the rains and your left pulled over hes neck witch really isn't comfortable for you i would stop get off your horse and remove the bridal I'm sure it would be more comfortable for the horse to eat this way and you are no longer teaching him a bad habit
I used to feel the same way. It really doesnt matter one way or a nother It really is your preferance.
well if u r on a trail ride and your horse starts to eat he is probally going to try and eat again. so just know that ahead of time, but ive heard that it is fine to let them eat with a bridle as long as it isnt a lot of grass and they dont scarf it down
I want to ask something, and I'm not trying to be mean...just out of curiosity, what exactly is it that people at your barn think is going to happen if a horse eats with a bit? Horses have been eating with bits since they were invented; I can't think of a single problem I've ever seen as a result.
I do want to say though, that if you are on a trail ride, do not let your horse just stop at his own will to eat whenever he wants. THAT is bad manners for a horse period, but especially on a trail ride. It is perfectly ok to let him eat if you stop to talk to someone or stop for a break, but not if he stops on his own. Use the verbal 'whoa' so that he knows it was your idea to stop, then let the reins go slack if you want to let him take a bite or two. If he stops on his own to eat, pull his head up as soon as he starts to put it down and kick him to keep walking.
Some great answers and lot's of good reasons pros and cons!! I'd say yes it causes the behaviors described here. And no it won't hurt them though. I'd also like to add another con is if your dressed in your show attire and the horse decides to swipe his head close to you, guess what your nice outfit will be GREEN SLIME! Yuck, LOL...I use to let my old trail horse eat out riding but I had taught him a cue. If we stopped and only if we stopped and I pushed down on his neck then he was allowed to eat. They are smart and he learned the cue very easily. We rode for miles and miles so if we stopped for a break and I had a sip of water or something then I'd cue him to relax and have a nip of grass. Worked great!!
The problem with letting horses eat with thier bridles, is that the taste of grass will be on the bit. Then whenever they have the bit on, they'll taste grass and want more of it! So if you wash the bit VERY thoroughly, it should be ok!
sure, I work at a barn with many different types of horses. Many tend to nibble on a couple blades of grass a lot. But its not exactly a huge problem, actually not at all. Unless your not into scrubbing the bit clean. ;)
of course.
I wouldn't make a habit of letting the pony eat while you're riding him, even for a little bit. as he will become distracted and may not pay attention to you. If he wants to graze, I would dismount for a while and let him graze a few minutes.
Yes of corse my horse eats with a bit in all the time. and eats everything (twigs, grass, leaves ect.) and it doesn't hurt him a bit.
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