Restraining the cob urge to snack

Pippity

Pippity

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Background: Horse lobbed me off at the end of last year, resulting in a fractured spine. (Mine, not hers!) She's been out of work since.

I want to do some in-hand walking with her, to try to burn off at least a little of the flab. However, I haven't managed to completely train out the cob tendency to dive for any nearby snack, and I simply don't have the strength at the moment to stop her.

I've been trying to think if there's anything I can use to help me out. Muzzle? Side reins? Wire her jaw shut?
 
Muzzle.

My Appy is a complete PITA to long rein at this time of the year because she is on a permanent diet and everywhere is grass. I don't think they do them any longer sadly but I had a 'much no more' nose net for her. Designed for small children's ponies but their largest size worked for a furious appaloosa too.
 
Do you lead her in a bridle? I accidentally found that a nose net worked really well, with a bridle. I think I still have it somewhere if you want to try it?

It’s like this one
www.ebay.co.uk

Aerborn Full Nose Net,Fly/Pollen/Muzzle Filter Shield, Black, Various Sizes | eBay

The Aerborn Nosenet is fully enclosed, making it impossible for the horse to feed or to be fed whilst wearing the nose net. Reduces inhalation of dust and pollen and insects.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
I ride at a trekking centre. They don’t do it on the rides for experienced riders, but I’ve noticed that with the beginner/very novicey type riders that some of the horses are wearing nose nets. The same horse wouldn’t wear a net with an experienced rider. I presume that it is to stop snacking.
 
I have found roller & loose side reins (just enough to stop nose getting to the ground) to be effective in curbing the Exmoor need for food. Once he realises it's not me that he can pull over, he gives up.
 
Last edited:
SEL said:
Muzzle.

My Appy is a complete PITA to long rein at this time of the year because she is on a permanent diet and everywhere is grass. I don't think they do them any longer sadly but I had a 'much no more' nose net for her. Designed for small children's ponies but their largest size worked for a furious appaloosa too.
Click to expand...

A friend had great success with something similar called a Munch'n'done stopping her over growing thelwell (16.2 ID) diving for snacks. Might be worth a trawl of eBay or marketplace to see if any second hand versions of either of these are for sale?
 
I led out my retired old share to grass in a stiff rope halter and walked on her left, between her and the hedgerow. If she turned her nose to snack I just held my right hand up. But one has to teach horses to lead nicely, to walk and halt. I long ago hacked a RS pony who needed grass reins and a daisy muzzle but I only rode her a few times. I remember her clearly and the route we took because it was a lovely sunny Boxing Day afternoon. It is a sad paradox that I have such clear memories of a pony I rode only once or twice and barely any memory detailed of the countless hacks on the ponies I rode for years and dearly loved.
 
Pippity said:
Background: Horse lobbed me off at the end of last year, resulting in a fractured spine. (Mine, not hers!) She's been out of work since.

I want to do some in-hand walking with her, to try to burn off at least a little of the flab. However, I haven't managed to completely train out the cob tendency to dive for any nearby snack, and I simply don't have the strength at the moment to stop her.

I've been trying to think if there's anything I can use to help me out. Muzzle? Side reins? Wire her jaw shut?
Click to expand...
I think I might be part cob .......
 
My friends 15 hh cob wears a nose net, it just velcros onto her noseband. She is a ridden by an older sharer , used to accompany nervous horses or ridden by friends in need of a confidence boost, she is lovely, safe and gentle but very greedy. Everyone felt bad when she first got the net, but we realised it is much better than yanking on the reins or smacking her.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I ride at a trekking centre. They don’t do it on the rides for experienced riders, but I’ve noticed that with the beginner/very novicey type riders that some of the horses are wearing nose nets. The same horse wouldn’t wear a net with an experienced rider. I presume that it is to stop snacking.
Click to expand...
Yes, those nose nets are to stop snacking. The current ones were all handmade with some nylon cord by one of the other regular riders and her daughter. Not sure where she got the pattern.
 
Mine has a tendency to try this when walking in hand - I have several knots down my lead rope so as soon as she attempts to lurch for a sneaky snack, my hand stops on the next knot and stops her
 
Pippity said:
Background: Horse lobbed me off at the end of last year, resulting in a fractured spine. (Mine, not hers!) She's been out of work since.

I want to do some in-hand walking with her, to try to burn off at least a little of the flab. However, I haven't managed to completely train out the cob tendency to dive for any nearby snack, and I simply don't have the strength at the moment to stop her.

I've been trying to think if there's anything I can use to help me out. Muzzle? Side reins? Wire her jaw shut?
Click to expand...
Have you thought of a lunging roller and put grass reins on out of baling twine?? We used bailing twine in the riding school
 
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