Horses are gentle creatures that need our help in many ways. It includes taking care of their diet and making sure they can able to eat in the right and proper way. And it leads most of us to think about, can a horse eat with a bridle on?
In this article, you’ll learn about the topic in more detail as well as find the short answer below.
Contents
What is a bridle? Are the bridle & Bit the same?
The bridle is the headgear that goes on a horse’s head, to which the reins and bit are attached. It helps the rider to steer and stop the horse.
The bridle also has a noseband to keep the horse’s head in place and prevent him from shaking his head.
A bit is a metal mouthpiece that goes inside the horse’s mouth and attaches to the bridle. It helps the rider to control the horse’s speed and direction. The bit goes inside the horse’s mouth and sits behind his teeth.
Can a Horse Eat with a Bridle on?
The short answer is yes; eating short grass and hay with the bridle on is not dangerous for horses but it’s messy. It can also be annoying for the rider because as soon the horse feels grass or anything to eat, he will start to pay attention and tries to eat.
So, if you don’t want your horse to be distracted and want to enjoy the ride, it’s best to train them in a way while bridled on, they shouldn’t try to eat.
In addition, if your horse is unaccustomed to eating with a bridle on, you may want to remove it before feeding time. Otherwise, he may become stressed and refuse to eat at all.
There are different opinions out there about whether you should or shouldn’t allow your horse to eat while wearing a bridle.
Some people believe that it’s not natural for a horse to have something in its mouth while they are eating.
They think that the horse might bite his tongue or lip while trying to eat with a bridle on and that it’s not worth the risk. Also while eating with bridle on can be choked or can stuck in the throat.
On the other hand, many people believe that it’s perfectly fine for a horse to eat with a bridle on. They argue that their horses have been eating for long periods and that it’s not a big deal.
It also depends on the type of bridle. If it’s a loose-ringed snaffle, then there’s no risk of the horse getting choked or stuck. But, if it’s a gag bit or anything with a lot of metal in the horse’s mouth, then it might be more dangerous.
So, it’s really up to you whether or not you want to allow your horse to eat with a bridle on. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
5 Reasons you should avoid letting your horse eat with a bridle on
A bridle is designed to go around a horse’s head and help the rider control the animal. It’s not meant to be left on for extended periods of time, especially not during meals. Here are five reasons why you should avoid letting your horse eat with a bit in its mouth:
1. It’s uncomfortable
A bridle bit can be tight and restrictive, especially if it’s not properly fitted. It can rub the horse’s skin and cause sores, not to mention the discomfort of having a metal bit in its mouth.
2. Bridle particularly designed for horse training
The next reason why you shouldn’t let your horse eat with a bridle on is that it’s simply not necessary.
If you’re training your horse, there are special bridles designed for that purpose that can be very harsh for the horses.
There’s no need to put your horse through that kind of discomfort unnecessarily. For example, if I talk about the wire bit it is the harshest bit available and it is used only in the most extreme cases.
So assume your horse has behavior to eat with a bit in the mouth and this time he has wire bit then it will be too much for him to handle.
3. Bit designs and purposes
‘Bit’ is a part of the bridle that goes into a horse’s mouth. There are many different designs and purposes of bits. The most popular ones are snaffle bits and curb bits.
Snaffle bits are the most common and they’re usually used for training purposes. Curb bits are more severe and they’re used for more experienced horses. Weymouth curb bit is also a very popular bit.
It has a solid mouthpiece with two reins attached to it.
The purpose of overviewing the types is to help you identify how much difference from one bit to another makes and it helps you to understand that there is no need for a horse to have a bit in its mouth all the time.
4. Horses can become distracted
One of the dangers of letting a horse eat with a bridle on is you are producing a bad behavior in his/her habits.
If a horse is eating with a bridle on, it can also become distracting and accidentally pull on the reins or get tangled up in them. This can be dangerous for both the horse and the rider.
5. Damage The Bridle
Another reason to avoid letting your horse eat with a bridle on is that it can damage the bridle. The horse’s teeth can rub against the leather and cause it to deteriorate.
If you’re going to let your horse eat with a bridle on, be sure to inspect it afterwards for any damage. Moreover, you will also have to clean the bridle more frequently.
These are the some of the reasons why you shouldn’t let your horse eat with a bridle on.
It’s uncomfortable for the horse, it’s unnecessary, and it can be dangerous. Be sure to take the bridle off before you let your horse eat and enjoy its meal.
Can a horse eat with a bit?
Horses can eat with a bit but it’s not recommended. As it can cause problems with their teeth and also choke them. It is better to remove the bit before feeding your horse.
Conclusion
Eating is an important part of a horse’s daily routine. As owner, it’s our responsibility to take care of them as well as not let them prone to bad behavior.
While a horse can eat with a bridle on, it’s not the most ideal situation and can cause some problems down the road.
Above I’ve listed some of the reasons why you shouldn’t let your horse eat with a bridle on, but if you find yourself in this predicament there are some ways to help.
Try using a hay net or slow feeder, this will help your horse from getting frustrated and misbehaving.