What to use for carrot stretches that isn't a carrot?

[MuddyMonster]

Pony is a total foodie and is becoming increasingly snatchy to get the carrots when doing his physio prescribed stretches, so not holding the stretch as long.

He's metabolic so hoping to avoid anything too sugary (otherwise I'd use a lick) but does anyone have any bright ideas what I could use or how to limit the snatching?

 

[splashgirl45]

Parsnip? Or use carrots but slice them lengthways so you can get 4 stretches per carrot.. not sure how to stop the snatching, maybe use a command like wait before giving it to him so he has to wait for the command and don’t weaken and give it to him if he is pushy .

 

[Barton Bounty]

Any kind of treat they can smell will work.

 

[stangs]

Celery - so low sugar that even the greediest don't find it exciting.

Or something I've used in the past is luring the stretch with a mini jar that normally stores treats. Jar stinks of treats so the nose follows it round, and then I use a marker word/click as soon as he's held the stretch long enough, and give a treat from my pocket.

 

[ihatework]

A mini lickit

 

[Surbie]

Mine won't stretch for celery. He doesn't think it's worth the effort! I cut a carrot into 8 or 16 depending on the size of the carrot and use those.

I like the treat jar idea.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I use high fibre nuts but not good for fingers if snatchy

 

[Jambarissa]

I clicker train them to touch a target using tiny slivers of carrot or nuts or rosehips. Then use the target and reward less frequently with whatever.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I use a mini lickit.

 

[2 Dragons]

Swede
I also hold it out of reach and feed it at the end of the stretch.

 

[dreams579]

Wrong time of year now but cow parsley works great in spring/early summer

 

[Traks]

Broccoli our pony loves it!

Celery is also great!

 

[Titchy Pony]

I clicker train them to touch a target using tiny slivers of carrot or nuts or rosehips. Then use the target and reward less frequently with whatever.

Same here. I use my hand as the target for stretches.