First Day of Turnout - To Muzzle or To Not Muzzle & How long thereafter?

[ABCCaitlinP]

Hello all,

I am wanting opinions if you muzzle on the first day of turnout and how long do you keep the muzzle on for?

Bit of background:

Turnout in the large grass fields don't start until second week of May each year until first week of November, the fields are rested over winter so our farmer can cut his own hay, turnout doesn't start till he has wrapped the last bale. All horses are stabled 24/7 over winter but we do have access to a few small paddocks that they can get some energy out of them, the farm suits me well, both my mares are exercised everyday (schooling, Lunging, Pessoa work, Hacking) etc.

**also I don't have the option of making a smaller field or a tracked system within the field as it is a shared field of the farm**

BUT... As the fields are rested over winter the grass can be quite lush come May, one mare has no issues with the grass/ summer (touch wood) only sweet itch she is fine and will stay unmuzzled, however my other mare has EMS and I can't let her suffer in the stable for the whole summer again. She will be muzzled with the GreenGuard Muzzle for the summer dependant on how long / lush the grass is. My mares do enjoy each others company but I am worried that the Muzzled one wont be able to groom and interact with the other, does this cause any issues for anyone else? First day of turnout on our fields is only for a few hours but after this they are turnout out from 8am till 6pm until August, should I only turn her out with a muzzle or should I let her enjoy the first day?

Thank you for reading this far x

 

[Laafet]

Research shows that ponies that were partially muzzled, ate the same amount as when they were not muzzled. Indicating that they learnt to stuff themselves when it was off. So in your case I'd muzzle all the time for turn out.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I have one with EMS and another who went down with laminitis overnight last year. They have recently swapped to 8 acres of rested winter grass and are both muzzled all day every day.

 

[NOISYGIRL2]

Mine is 41 and muzzled when turned out regardless, he is ppid not ems but I always muzzle, I won't risk it

 

[ABCCaitlinP]

Thanks all, going to muzzle her regardless and I'm hoping she associates the muzzle with going out in the field, do you all keep the muzzle on all year round or just until the grass is down?

 

[NOISYGIRL2]

All year round

 

[supertramp]

Hi, my boy has EMS,throughout the summer autumn and spring he is muzzled, lately if the weather has been over cast and cold i have left the muzzle off, there is very little goodness in the grass at the moment but it gives him some respite. The slightest bright day the muzzle goes back on, once the grass starts to grow it will be back on permanently. I manage his weight weekly with a weigh tape and log it in a file, its a useful tool to look back and also show the vet yearly when vacs are due. I also use it to watch for weight increase and the need to up the exercise.

 

[Surbie]

My boy's fieldmate has his muzzle on at all times when out. He uses it to groom mine when he feels like it.

I monitor weight regularly and will muzzle if I have to but my horse hates it. Really hates it.. Greenguards don't work for him but the shires comfort ones do. No other kind comes big enough for his massive head.