Pony dropping to knees to snatch grass

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POLLDARK

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Some friends of mine have a pony who has to have restrcited grazing to keep his weight right. (see food, eat food, get very fat type) They had a problem with him constantly trying to snatch grass out hacking but have now got wise to him & no longer let him snatch the reins through their fingers. Now he has a new trick, when they pull into the side of the road to let traffic past (single track road) he will sometimes drop to his knees to get the grass as that is the only way he can get his head near enough to it. They give him a small haynet before hacking so he is not hungry just greedy.
This is a dangerous habit as one of them has already gone over his shoulder & when a car is going past that is not a good idea. If anyone at all has any input they would be grateful. Thanks
 
One of the little ones at PC does this :D he has grass reins on so has become slightly more um, inventive :D Sorry no useful suggestions apart from maybe one of them nose sets that covers the whole mouth and nose?
 
I'm suprised my shire x hasn't come up with a trick like that!! He's a nightmare for grabbing mouthfuls out of hedges, it's had to stop as the last time he tried it he swung his bum out into the traffic and nearly landed on a car. I'm really strict with him now and i've had to be very strong, basically using a combination of leg aids, rein aids, voice and waving whip by his eye when he's gone to turn. He doesn't even try now :-)

I don't really know how best to help with advice but it's going to be tricky if it's a child riding him xx
 
I have suggested they try & set up the situation with their own car & give him a sharp message via his backside if he tries it. he seems to know the car ! Engine sound probably. He is the sort that give the choice between a smack & some grass will take the grass any day. New Forest X so very bright.
 
I too had to chuckle and think, "Only a pony!"

Get someone riding him who is bigger and stronger. Turn him to the side as you would if a car is coming past and then wallop the heck out of him.

Do it several times and he will stop if he has the brain he is showing!
 
bless him!! clever little sod!!! :D:D:D

a simple (FULL!!) pollen net should work-mine has his on (not for grass mind- he actually has an allergy lol), and he knows there's no point in trying to grab bushes etc, but the second i take it off he starts trying to sneak bits ;)

he'll try for a bit but then should give up pronto :)
 
What a clever pony :D I think a stronger rider who is capable of sitting doing nothing at all so nearly imitating a lead rein type rider, then when he drops the legs suddenly come alive and act so pony gets a suprise, otherwise a smack bottom.
 
I've seen a few people riding at PC with muzzles on at cup day, when we were in an open field situation.

Also, I'm not sure if it'll help but the straps that go round their tail and attach to the back of the saddle? and then grass or daisy reins on front? If you think about it, they pull their heads down and it pulls at their bum.
 
Also, I'm not sure if it'll help but the straps that go round their tail and attach to the back of the saddle? and then grass or daisy reins on front? If you think about it, they pull their heads down and it pulls at their bum.[/QUOTE]

We thought of a daisy rein but it wouldn't work as he is not trying to stretch his neck, by going onto his knees he is taking his controlled head to the grass level. Rein back sounds good if there is room, certainly knee protection is a good one. A good strong rebuke is what is called for I'm thinking not just a slap on the rump. You just don't want him going into the road having been smacked hard with cars about. It's just plain difficult.
 
Haha! Clever little sod!!! My mare Luna is quite greedy too and whilst fine out hacking has come up with ingenious ways to get better grass whilst in the fatty field... It is post and rail fence so at first she was leaning over until the top rail broke so YO put a strand of barbed wire on top... No good... Obviously the sting is worth it so we put electric tape up.. Hey presto! No more leaning over.... Instead she now kneels like a goat and cranes her head sideways under the bottom tail! I give up :-)
 
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