Do you let your horse eat grass with a bit in its mouth? – Here's how to avoid it

Is there anything worse than when your horse resolutely decides that "I must have that tuft of grass!" – with a bit in its mouth? Some even believe that the horse is at risk of choking on the grass because of the bit; however, we haven't been able to find any examples of this. Regardless, we can agree that the combination of grass and a bit in the mouth isn't good, as the horse's mouth isn't designed for it. Therefore, here are three different tips on what you can do to avoid it.

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1. If you really want to solve the problem

Most would probably agree that this is a real bad habit. Usually, the horse's desire for grass results from it winning the battle to grab grass tufts at the edge of the riding arena or on the way in from the paddock too often. And as we know, it doesn’t take many times before the horse thinks, "I'll just do that!" – even though there is a person at the other end.

If you really want to solve this problem, and if you have a horse where you can't just do something we've described below, then there is only one thing to do: Never let your horse eat grass when you're leading it or sitting on it, whether it's wearing a bridle or not. Otherwise, it will get used to the idea that it's a possibility, and then you'll struggle with it for the rest of its life. Whether you want to do that is, of course, entirely your choice.

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2. If the horse has already dipped its head down

If the horse has already put its head down to reach the delicious grass with a bit, then it's a natural reaction for us horse owners to do everything we can to get it away. This often results in a hard tug on the horse's bit, which we may know is not good, but we do because we don't know what else to do. To get the horse to release the grass, you can try one of the following things...

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The goal is for us as riders to be more interesting to the horse than the grass

Micaela Love, trainer in horsemanship.

The advice comes from a trainer in horsemanship inspired by the legendary Pat Parelli, the founder of 'natural horsemanship'. In the video below, you can see how Micaela Love performs all the exercises.

3. If you want to let your horse graze a little

Of course, we understand if you find it a bit cozy to graze with your horse or let it have a little while you're out for a walk. If that's how you feel, fortunately, there is a way to do it without the bit getting in the way. But remember: You can't avoid the horse occasionally trying to grab some grass without permission – and then for heaven's sake, remember the methods in tip number 2 and never just yank on the rein.

The trick to let your horse graze with a bridle on

Do it like this...

1. Hold the rein in one hand so the horse doesn't escape from you.
2. Loosen the cheekpiece from one bit ring.
3. Preferably take your bit out of the horse's mouth by pulling the loose bit ring out. Now the bit hangs down along one side of the horse's head.
4. Lead the bit behind the horse's lower jaw and again fasten the bit ring to the cheekpiece, while also fastening the cheekpiece to the noseband (the latter is not necessary, but it prevents the bit from dangling too much).
5. Loosen the horse's noseband completely or unfasten it while it's grazing, so it has room to open its mouth fully.