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Grass Grabber

2K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  Acadianartist 
#1 ·
I fully understand that a grass grabber is a horse that isn't paying attention to his leader. However, I was wondering about the effects of allowing the horse to go hours between feedings...? My gelding is kept on pasture as much as possible but lately we're been having horrible weather, 40s and pounding rain and he's been kept in his stall sometimes 24-36 hours at a time (I board). Seems obvious....if a horse is without food for 4-6 hours a day of course he's going to run after food! Hes not deprived of food intentionally, he just eats his hay so fast there's nothing left until his next feeding. Looking into a slow feeder system to help make his food last longer. Has anyone seen marked behavioral improvement when using a slow feeder?
 
#2 ·
Not sure exactly what you mean my a grass grabber, but if it's during a ride, here's my experience.

If I'm on a mission, hauling salt to some location, or locating some cattle, or going to a location to do some trail work, Hondo seldom asks to munch a little grass at spots where it appears.

But if I'm just out on a ho-hum ride for no other reason than just to get out, Hondo seems to know this and will stop at any bunch of grass that he fancies without asking. He seems to know it is ok and it most always is.

So by these experiences it seems to me that in both cases he is paying very close attention to me, his rider, and reading me very very well.

I have not seen any difference using a slow feeder although I do use one in an effort to keep more of the hay in the feeder as opposed to being on the ground.

I use a demand feeder so he can choose hay or pasture and always be able to eat at will, but I do not put his favorite hay, alfalfa, on demand as he will overeat.
 
#3 ·
It's never bothered me unless a horse is a jerk about it. I figure when I'm going on a long day pushing cows or whatever that as long as they are doing their job and what I ask I'm not going to argue with them stealing a bite here or there.

My husband and many people I know however think it's non negotiable and their horses are not allowed to eat when they are being used. It's a personal preference I think.

Do I think a different feed system would chang whether a horse is grabbing at grass? No. I think they do it if you let them and don't if you don't let them.
 
#4 ·
Two separate subjects, JMO
First, a horse being without food for along time, and thus the use of slow feeder hay nets, to more simulate grazing, and how horses were designed to eat-yes, a definite plus for gut health! Horses , unlike us, secrete HCL constantly, and man made feeding schedules, where a horse is on empty for extended periods of time, is a primary cause of significant ulcers. It will take ahorse longer to eat the same amount of hay, using aslow feeder net, so unlike just putting un limited amount of hay in front of him, which can have an easy keeper gain weight, it just allows him to eat that ration at a slower rate
Now for the grass grabbing if I am on a long ride< i don't mind if my horse grabs bites to eat along the way, being polite about it, continuing to go along, plus I will often stop at a nice grassy place and let him eat
However, I do not allow a horse to 'dive for that grass, pulling the reins through my hands
 
#5 ·
Thank you! You're right I don't want to have unlimited hay, I want the right amount fed over a longer period of time. When I pull him off pasture he's calm and attentive. When he's been in his stall due to weather etc he will pull my arm out of the socket (slight exaggeration lol) to dive for a mouth full of grain left on the floor of the barn, if we go for a trail ride it's constant ripping the reins out of my hand to grab grass along the way. Hoping a slow feed hay bag will help him relax.
 
#6 ·
Haynets or hay bags are always a great option.

As for the grass thing, I like to teach my horse a cue when riding so they only put their head down to eat on the cue. If they know the cue means it's OK to eat, then it is more obvious to them to not eat other times. Also if you let them eat as a reward / break during a ride they won't be so eager to eat during work. Of course eating long grass with a bit is not a good idea.

I whoa, push gently on the horse's poll and say "OK" to let them eat. And I teach them to put their head up with a tap on the neck.
 
#7 ·
I agree that if the horse is stabled for a lengthy time, then the slow feeder net would be a great option.

In terms of horses eating while working - I don't let mine eat. My one gelding can get quite rude about if someone allows him to get away with it. If he tries it while lunging, I get after him pretty aggressively to get his attention back on me.

On the other hand, if I were working my horses for many hours of the day or going for long trail rides, I would set aside some time to allow my horse to graze periodically. It is my hugest pet peeve when horses dive for grass when being worked or ridden.
 
#8 ·
Haha cbar- I know so many people that is a pet peeve for. It irritates my husband so much when I let my horses eat. ?

I do know what you're saying about certain horses though. I rode one that was an *** if I let him eat. That horse I didn't allow it with.
 
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#9 ·
Eating out on the trail or while working is not a "yes or no" question but a "depends on circumstance".

I am conditioning for LD/Endurance and it is actually encouraged to eat while on the trail. If I'm schooling in the arena than no, you can go a bit without eating, I promise you won't curl up and blow away in the wind.

So my rule of thumb is this: On the trail, as long as you do not stop forward motion, you can eat on the go, in the arena, no food for you!
 
#10 ·
If he is getting by with it, you are teaching him it is okay. And you may or may not be aware of cues he is fixing to do it, but they are there, and the time to stop it is when he is still thinking about it.

You should be able to pick up on a refocusing of his mind, eagerness, quickened step...or one ear goes forwards and one backwards, to see if you are paying attention.

Get after him, make a turn, stop or speed up but do something so he isn't getting by with this. It will start showing up in other areas.
 
#11 ·
On the slow-feeder question:

I feed exclusively using slow-feeder haynets. You should start with a net that has large holes so the horse can get the hang of it (about 2"), but work your way down to 1" holes. You can get cheap ones, but they won't last long. My horses also like to shake the haynet, so I've had to add snaps to the top and bottom and latch them to the wall, haybox or even a tree. It keeps my dry-lotted horses busy a lot longer than if I just gave them loose hay. Also, there will be less hay thrown around all over the place and less hay. I fill all my nets in the evening so they're ready to hang in the morning. You quickly get the hang of it.
 
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