LOL those lips of their’s grab the leaves first, no?
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
Oh, so true!
How about we let her figure out what to do about that! :winkgrin:
Wow - I am so impressed with the outpouring of ideas and support offered by you all … and it sure is nice to hear that some of you at least have assumed that I’m intelligent. Sometimes I do wonder about that myself - LOL
Anyway, here is a bit more information that may help clarify a few things as to what options are realistic for me. First of all, I am a event rider who uses the trails for basic conditioning (and with a horse of his breeding/constitution it’s critical that I spend lots of time doing that), so unfortunately I don’t have a horn on my English saddle to take advantage of. And also unfortunately, almost all the trails available to me are narrow and winding with lots of hills. Those who are arguing against the boot and scoot method are right about the fact that while this could work for us, in principle at least, there are also many ways for it to get us into trouble. (I already have about five separate bruises on my left knee right now from getting knocked into trees just because he is such a wide load compared to the Morgan owner who cut our trails. But I digress …)
As for overall which approach to take - equipment-based, action or training-based, I am thinking at this point it’s going to take a combination of things. While I certainly don’t want to abuse my horse, he IS being very rude and I think that he does need disciplining. I just have to figure out how to do that in a way that will get his attention without being repetitive to the point that he becomes insensitive to it. Perhaps it’s time to go back to the ring and sharpen him up to the aids in general - that certainly couldn’t hurt, as we haven’t been doing much ring work lately. That way when I do have the opportunity and a safe place to bump him forward he’ll be better prepared to move off my leg instantly. And while I know that even if I do put a check rein on him he’ll be able to grab the leaves that are at nose level with his big fat lips, I don’t mind riding with some extra equipment if it cuts down on the behavior and thereby makes us safer. I have always liked the look of a figure 8 so maybe this can be my excuse to get one. And of course once he gets fitter I can start trotting him past more of the yummy stuff - so far at least he hasn’t tried to eat while he’s doing that!
Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions and I’ll let you know how it goes. (And for those of you wondering why in the world I’d have such a beast, when he’s not busy trying to eat he can be a really good little dressage horse and he loves to run and jump. He’s just better adapted to fields than trails. I guess 
Good for you! 
Be sure to stay in touch and let us know how your boy shapes up.
instantly grab mane/pommel/Bible, whatever
:lol: :lol: :lol:
