how do I teach my pony to stop eating the reins?

My horse did the same thing. What I did with him at first was hold my hands on the reins just under his chin so he couldn't get them. Not overly tight. When he would reach for them, I'd give him a sharp 'no'. If he grabbed them while I was on him and we were walking, I took it as a sign that he was bored and did a few more laps at the trot each time until I made it clear that if he did it while we were riding, it was going to extend his workout.

Just be consistent, and give him an outlet. There are certain things I let my horse mouth, but when the bridle goes on, it's work mode. When I first started teaching him not to do this, there was a lot of me sticking my fingers in his mouth and giving him a verbal 'drop it,' which he caught on to pretty quickly.

AndyEm,

Your pony should be leading up on a very loose line (a noticeable droop in the lead) and stay with you.

Pony should be able to stop when you stop, back when you back and lead from either side and stay with his head at your shoulder.

Pony should be paying attention to you and your direction and intent.

That leaves little time to be off with the fairies finding something to chew on.

So, lead with a halter and lead, not a bridle and reins. Tie your reins up. The halter (or do you call it a head collar?) should fit over the bridle easily. When pony goes for the lead you need to change direction abruptly.

A sharp U turn, away from pony will leave him in la la land but as you step toward his rear. A light but quick tap on his haunches will remind him to get round and catch up. The tap will happen just about the time the slack comes out of the line and brings his head about. A few times of this and you will not catch him napping as he will be watching for your intent.

A turn into him begins with leading up with a wand held out in front of him. Do not hit him with the wand but if he walks into it that is his business. do away with the wand and use your elbow to signal a turn into the pony. Just raise you elbow like a wing. Go back to the wand to teach the back up. You stop, the wand stops the pony stops. You give a little signal like a hiss or smooch and begin to step back waving the wand up and down. If pony takes even one step back stop and reward.

In one afternoon you can change the way this pony leads.

In one week of reinforcement you have a pattern that can be depended on.

Oh and start from the off side as that side will most likely need more work than the near side.

Your reward will be when your friends are so amazed, and they will be I promise you.

When your pony is leading properly you will not have this problem, I promise you.

There is a video here that will show what it looks like.

http://myhorse.com/blogs/horse-trainers/larry-flem...

Put vinegar on it. Idk what it does to leather but I don't think horse like it.