What would you do?

[EquiGal92]

You’ve got a horse and he knows that he isn’t allowed to eat grass while being led or just standing in a headcollar and lead rope with you holding him, so when he gets ill and has to go onto box rest and the vet says that he is allowed to go out and graze in-hand would you a) let the rules be broken for just this time (would the horse even understand that no means no and will not graze even? ), b) walk him out in hand around the yard and you pick at some grass for him to eat, c) section off a very small corner in the field and let me graze by himself for just a few minutes or d) do something completely different from the above LOL
I’ve being wanting to know what people do if in the dilemma for a while and would be interested to know your opinions Hope I’ve made sense also LOL

 

[rhino]

(a) as long as he is safe to walk in hand. They are not stupid and will quickly realise when they can and can't eat You may need to encourage him to begin with but normally if they have been on box rest they are desperate for a bite of 'Dr Green'

 

[unbalanced]

Hmmm. The 'rule' I have with my mare is if we are standing on grass (in-hand, it's different if I'm on her) then she may graze unless I am asking her to do something else. If I ask her to stand up, or walk on or back up, for example, she listens to that request rather than dragging for grass. So she can still stand politely next to me and get 'permission' if she is being asked to stand up. I think what I am saying is horses are easily smart enough to know when you are saying grazing is allowed and when you are saying it is not allowed, as long as you are fair and consistent with your body language in each case.

 

[L&M]

For me it would depend on how calm the horse is, and under what circumstances box rest is required.

I had my horse on 6 mnths box rest with a tendon injury, but once he was allowed a controlled walk programme, I built a stable sized patch of grass and let him graze on that whilst mucking out each day.

However he was a very sensible horse, despite being hunting fit when he sustained his injury, and would quietly munch away. Every week I would move the fencing so he always had a fresh patch to keep him occupied.

So in answer to your question I would choose c. but only as long as the horse could be trusted to be sensible.

 

[mystiandsunny]

Teach the horse a signal that means they can graze. Then there's a clear difference for them. If in hand without the signal - no grazing. If the signal is given, can graze until asked not to. Signal can be a word/sound/action.

 

[depurple1]

Mine understands that he is not allowed to graze in his bridle under any circumstances. If in a headcollar, he is allowed to graze if I let his rope go long and if I'm not asking him to do something else.

 

[Piaffe63]

I think you should let him have his head to sniff the grass (if it is safe to do so) and make sure that he know he can eat by not telling him no if that makes sense? Obviously I know you're not going to say no but I think that the rule can be broken this once for him hope that helped at all- I didn't explain it very well I dont think- sorry :/ x

 

[paddi22]

with my lad, i turn to face him and hunk down on my kness and pat the ground to let him know he can graze in hand. i haven't a clue why i started doing that! but he definitely understands it, and lowers his head to graze when i do it..