Horse eat with bridle on?

Question

Is it ok for a horse to graze while it has a bit in its mouth??

Answer 1

I was told that horses can choke from eating with a bridle on. At the very least, your bit gets really gross if you let your horse eat with it.

Answer 2

if u want to let ur horse graze in a bridle, make sure its a hackamore. otherwise they may choke

Answer 3

Some people let their horses do it but I wouldn't. I just think there would too much of a choking risk. I would think it would be hard for them to eat with a bit in his/her mouth anyway..

Also - do you mean like, hand-grazed or turned out? I would never turn my horse out in a bridle.

edit: I agree with Posie F - I had a horse do that to me before, was very scary!

Answer 4

I ride trails a lot....it hard to keep the horses sometimes from snagging on a plant or some tall grasses when they want something to eat. So far none of the horses I have ever ridden have choked, if that helps. I wouldn't recommened leaving your horse to graze with a bridle on anyways.

Answer 5

no the horse can choke, also if you ride your horse after letting him/her eat there will be food on the bit, this encourages him/her to play with the bit and could result in the horse working out how to get the bit under his/her tongue

Answer 6

My preference is to NOT let my horse eat when I'm riding him.  What if you were cantering down the trail and your horse saw an unusually yummy looking bite of grass?  He puts on his brakes, puts his head down to eat and you go right over the top.  Not the prettiest scenario, hmmmm?

Seriously, then you've also got to clean that nasty slimey green stuff off the bit.

Answer 7

If they are just snatching grass as your riding them on a trail or in the pasture...its okay to let them but don't allow them to full on graze with the bit in their mouth!

Answer 8

Avoid letting horses eat when trail riding. Have you tried eating a big meal then going for a run.

Letting your horse eat when trail riding can give your horse ingestion and horses can also get stitches (stomach pains caused by going walking after eating), plus it will make them need to go to the toilet when you are riding them and thats not good for them.

Answer 9

I'd rather that they didn't do that as it's a bad habit and can get very annoying. Having said that most horses are quite adept at eating around a bit and I have never heard of one choking. I have seen bits with grass wound around the middle from being allowed to eat and horses that create copious amounts of disgusting green slime while being ridden.

If you're on a long ride and want to take a break I'd suggest taking a headcollar with you ( maybe leave it on under the bridle)  or if your horse is well behaved removing the bit.

Answer 10

I do believe they can choke. Though horses are known to eat the grass on the trails, I wouldnt suggest leaving the bridle on when you put it  in the pasture.

It only takes a minute or two to take the bridle off, dont risk it.  =)