Eating on the trail

Question
You explain that to stop a horse pulling and grabbing to eat on the trail, that I should holler No and hit him between the ears with a crop.  I have been taught that one never uses "No" with a horse since it sounds like "whoa" and one should never hit a horse around the head.  ANy other suggestions?
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Followup To

Question -
My Quarter Horse gelding grabs on the trail, often on the move and that's not too bad, but today for instance his head was everywhere, pulling my arms practically out of the sockets.  He is in a snaffle and pretty much seems to ignore it as well as ignoring my scolding and cues.  Help!  I'm in my early 50s and don't want a fight every time I ride!
Mary

Answer -
Hi Mary!

I am sorry to say you are going to have to have at least 3 trail rides that will involve fighting with him.

He is completely disrespecting you and believes you do not have any say in what he does with his "grabbing" food on the go.

You will need a sturdy crop and a steel will.  Show him the crop when you mount him for the trail ride.  One small instance of him grabbing a leaf or grass and you must whack him hard on the top of the head between the ears and say NO in your best "MOM" voice.  You must be swift and mean it every single time.

No grab is too small to be ignored.  He will take a mile if given an inch.  You must make eating associated with a smack on the head.  Trust me, he can take it and it will not kill him....it's just as if he was being corrected by another horse in the herd.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, have someone else start the process...but, you must also be involved because he must know you will keep him from eating too.

You did not mention any other bad behaviors so, I assume he will not go bucking, running off if he is corrected and that his bit is working on the ride.  He must be corrected of this irritating and very disrespectful habit.

Remember to praise him when he stands well and does not make a grab for food!

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange

Answer
Hi Mary!

Yes, I have heard these two rules also and 95% of the time they apply.  

In this case though, you have a hard-headed horse who simply feels you do not exist and that if he is good for you it is because he wants to be, not because he feels he has to be.

You may certainly use any word you want to accompany the smack...it is more your assertion of dominance that matters than what english word you use.

As for hitting between the ears, yes, in this instance it is allowed.  From your information I garnered that you would not be violent and abusive or cruel.  I doubt you have enough strength to really even hurt him.

What you are looking for is the surprise factor and the consistency of the correction.  He will not like being smacked and therefore he will stop grabbing food if that is the consequence of his actions.  Right now there are no consequences because he is stronger and much more stubborn than you.  So, why should he stop if he always wins the fight?

I gaurentee you that within 3 trail rides of you being consistent in your correction, he will stop.  He may be sullen and pouty but, he will stop.  I also gaurentee that if you ARE NOT consistent, that he will go right back to grabbing food.

Unfortunately, in the woods, there are no time-out chairs for bad boys!  LOL!!

Solange