Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

I do see value in using a grazing muzzle on a horse if the horse is
being worked on a long lead or at liberty, and is prone to snatch
bites of grass rather than work.

The call of green grass can be a major issue.  Here in New Mexico,
which is mostly desert, most horses live in bare dirt lots.  It is
a rare horse who spends any time daily on grass pasture.  I did send
my mare to a ranch once for a few months' vacation, but even there
the pasture was so poor that the horses required hay daily.  Rather
than muzzle her, I taught her a verbal cue "take a bite" and let
her graze in hand or under saddle.  This was her preferred reward
I used to reinforce her alerts when training or working missions
anywhere there was grass.  I also used verbal praise "Good girl!"
and pats, for use when grass was not available.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico