is it just me or....

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horseluver4eva

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Do you hate it when your horse eats grass when you lead them?

I have never let any of my horses eat grass whilst leading them, either for a quick bite or to stand for a few minutes. if my horse pulls down for grass it really annoys me because i feel that obviously she wants to eat but still she is disrespecting me because she is doing what she wants and not listening to me. My horse no longer does it with me and since we have established that she cant do this she has also been better all around to lead and has walked next to me without pulling away. however many of my friends let their horses graze whilst leading them and say that they do not see the problem. they say it improves your bond with the horse and that it does no harm.

Whats everybodies else opinion on this as it only seems to be me that doesnt allow it? I feel rather mean but at the same time i don't want my horse getting in to a habit of pulling for food...
Over to you:D
 
I allow my horse to do this occassionally and I have no problem with that. Not many people are allowed to handle my horse in my absence, so it's not an issue, and my mare is a very amenable girl generally so won't mentally take advantage of it.

However, I wouldn't let other people's horses do it if they requested me not to. I also know that my girl will be with me for life (unless some terrible untoward disaster happens).
 
I don't allow mine to graze whilst I lead her to and from the field, she gets enough time to do that without me on the other end of the rope! Because she knows that she waits until I let her go, she doesn't pull me around and I prefer it that way!
 
I don't think its a question of being right or wrong. If it is acceptable to the owner and isn't causing a problem for anyone else who handles the horse, it's probably fine.
Generally speaking though, there are plenty of advantages in having a horse lead quietly by its handlers side without being preoccupied with looking for an opportunity to graze.

I wouldn't say the horse is being disrespectful though. Its just a gap in its training and the fault is with its handler, not the horse.
I do find it a little unfair when the horse gets told off for snatching at grass because the blame lies with the person telling it off.
 
LOL My ponies never even try to eat when I have them out.....I have to pick the grass and give it to them.....but then they are Parelli trained!!!!!!!
 
I do a bit of in hand grazing occasionally with mine but dont allow it for general leading etc. I always make it very clear which we are doing. I also find it rude and like them to be paying attention to me :)
 
I think disrespect is a misleading word. She's a horse. Horses eat grass. So if they see a nice patch their first thought is to go and eat it. Owner's choice whether to allow it or not, and you've obviously established that you don't. I think using a word like disrespect introduces an emotional element into the interaction between horse and human that misleading.
:-)
 
I don't let mine graze whilst leading them anywhere. I find it annoying and it takes twice as long to get to where you are going.
 
Alyth said:
LOL My ponies never even try to eat when I have them out.....I have to pick the grass and give it to them.....but then they are Parelli trained!!!!!!!
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Hilarious! How is that relevant? They respect you more cos they're Parelli trained? Mine isn't and has just been taught to lead nicely without pulling me to get to grass.
 
Nope I don't. I personally find it bad manners, and have always thought this way with any of my old horses.

The only exception I make is at a show day, where he gets a bit stressed if his fieldmate enters the ring without him etc. Even then it grates on me but it's for a simpler life (and retaining the use of my arm!) so allow it!
 
I don't let mine do it but he does still try :rolleyes: He has become particularly adept at a) realising when I'm riding and not paying attention and chucking his head down for grass - Note to self pay attention whilst riding! and b) when I am paying attention he can now grab a quick bite from the long grass as we go along, he now does this at trot too! He just turns his head slightly and bites some off as he is passing, the head doesn't go down or anything - clever git! ;)
 
I will allow them to have some grass whilst being led. They dont tow me towards the grass so I will let them have a nibble. It has never done mine any harm and I have no problem with it. :-)
 
I will allow my mare to graze in hand, on my terms. I discourage her snatching for grass when she is being led (she will try it, she's very food orientated) but I will often take her for walks and let her graze, but I make it clear that she is allowed. She has to stop first, and stand, then I tell her to put her head down to graze, I don't allow her to lunge for the grass and stuff her face just because she wants to.
 
I had no choice with my boy, see grass, eat grass. Rude, yes, but he was stronger than me. Made up for it tho' in being a good boy in every other respect!

He would pretend to need a wee and make the stance and eat. Made me laugh. Would even 'make the stance' once caught if he didn't want to come in and work.
 
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Mine don't try to eat grass whilst out and about but I would occasionally stop to allow them to graze which they did. They never pull to snatch at grass so I don't really have a problem with it.
 
I dont allow mine to graze with a bit in but as soon as they are in a head collar it is fine Helps to supplement grazing when the grass is gone and to settle well at shows although princess pony wont eat away from home if the grass isnt pristine clean
 
There is long grass along the path to our turnout (short grass in the turnout fields). I pick a point along there where we are walking to and she is expected to walk nicely beside me until my chosen point. Once there I then let her graze, but she knows she has to walk on when asked and is only allowed to stop and graze when I allow it. She never pulls me and it probably helps that she knows certain words/commands ('up' probably being the most useful). If anyone else has to lead her, she behaves and doesn't pull or snatch.

I also don't let her eat when we're out riding, but I know different people have different views on that.

I have a very well mannered horse and I'm always grateful for her first owner(s) that put the effort in to teach them.
 
It irritates me and was never something my horse did unless I took him to grass to hand graze but if I was leading him he never did.... Until he came back of loan. Somedays I feel like I'm a little child being dragged to grass by my pony again!
Never knew my little tb had such strength!
 
We have a horse who has had many periods of box rest, once for 4 months so he has been grazed in-hand very, very often. Very hard now to make him understand that it isn't always appropriate.
 
My horse has many hours a day when he is being a horse - can graze, can doze or can play with his field mates. When he is with me he has to concentrated - and this includes no snacking. I don't think I ask too much for his attention for 2 hours a day (max) - he is not parelli or blue pipe trained - he is just brought up to have manners :)
 
I'd rather Dev didn't so I don't let him, unfortunately my friend allows her horse to do it so sometimes when I'm taking them both to the field he will duck down to grab a mouthful and almost rip my arm out of it's socket! So for the forseeable future I will continue to not allow Dev to do it for this reason! He has 23 hours a day to graze without me bothering him! :D
 
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