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The finger goes in the side of the mouth, to stay away from teeth. It's best if you can 'get in there first' - do the poking before the horse has got the rope in his mouth already. That has the advantage of punishing the intention to chew even before it has started (similar to 'rewarding the try' in some ways - I think Alyth will know what I'm talking about), but it does mean you need to watch carefully and be in a position to reach his mouth at just the right time. Luckily you don't have to do it that many times!Thanks fburton. Really keen to try this with my chewing obsessed 5yr old. Not entirely sure how you do it when they pick up a rope though? How do you get your hand in their mouth? Can you come and do demos lol
It was a very enjoyable, thought-provoking thread!Ooohhh fburton, I started that thread! Fame at last
To be honest I've never used the technique with a bitted horse. I'm glad you asked though because it's preferable that the horse is relatively free to move his head. It's not unusual for the horse to raise his head a little when he feels something in his mouth and I would go with that movement in order to maintain it for a second or two. So I wouldn't use it with a horse that was tied short in case he bumped against a taut rope and got a fright - that would definitely be counterproductive. The answer may be for the horse to learn to stop chewing without tack first, and then reinforce the lesson (if necessary) with the bridle on. Do what you feel is right and are comfortable with.Ah ok! Will do that. I'm being a pain now but what do you do when they have a bit in? Mine tries to chew his reins when I'm leading him - he's clever, he lags behind a bit in the hope I wont see! He's just eaten my nice schooling stick too