Getting a (stupid) horse used to a muzzle

[AmeliaA]

Put a muzzle on my gelding for the first time, he was happy enough to have it on in the field yesterday- ate treats through it and bits of grass that I put through the hole. But when he goes to graze he literally just holds his head over the grass and doesn’t even attempt to eat
Then today when I put him out today he was fine again having it on and eating treats through it but when I let him off in the field he was petrified of it!! Had to take it off.

 

[Widgeon]

Is the grass the right length? Sorry if that sounds like a stupid question, but it's tricky to eat longer grass with a muzzle on (unless you are an Expert, as my horse is, and can eat almost anything with a muzzle on). Maybe put it on and hand graze him on some lovely juicy grass of just the right length, or scatter treats on the grass so he gets the hang of it?

 

[pistolpete]

Has to be introduced slowly over a period of several days to be kind so they fully understand. Always used a piece of carrot to get it on then used to let mine hand graze on way back from field to have a bit of longer stuff. Can’t know what hasn’t been taught.

 

[AmeliaA]

Has to be introduced slowly over a period of several days to be kind so they fully understand. Always used a piece of carrot to get it on then used to let mine hand graze on way back from field to have a bit of longer stuff. Can’t know what hasn’t been taught.

This is what I’ve been doing, just a bit stumped because he’s happy to eat treats etc through it but refuses to graze in it. Will it just take time?

 

[Widgeon]

This is what I’ve been doing, just a bit stumped because he’s happy to eat treats etc through it but refuses to graze in it. Will it just take time?

When I put a muzzle on mine for the first time he hand grazed okay, then stood in the field hanging his head looking tragic. I gritted my teeth and left him to it and the next morning he was grazing quite happily. Can you leave him just for a few hours then come back and check whether he's getting the hang of it?

 

[AmeliaA]

Is the grass the right length? Sorry if that sounds like a stupid question, but it's tricky to eat longer grass with a muzzle on (unless you are an Expert, as my horse is, and can eat almost anything with a muzzle on). Maybe put it on and hand graze him on some lovely juicy grass of just the right length, or scatter treats on the grass so he gets the hang of it?

What’s the right length? His field has it all tbh, very short grass, long grass and inbetween. I gave hand grazing a go this morning but he just stared at the floor ? I’ll have a go at scattering the treats tonight!

 

[AmeliaA]

When I put a muzzle on mine for the first time he hand grazed okay, then stood in the field hanging his head looking tragic. I gritted my teeth and left him to it and the next morning he was grazing quite happily. Can you leave him just for a few hours then come back and check whether he's getting the hang of it?

My other pony has had lami so she’s only out for an hour - I’ll put it on him tonight when I put her out and see how he gets on. It’s just he got himself very stressed going out this afternoon so I’ll see how he goes then maybe step it back if needs be

 

[pistolpete]

This is what I’ve been doing, just a bit stumped because he’s happy to eat treats etc through it but refuses to graze in it. Will it just take time?

Maybe. Bless him. They all get it eventually.

 

[AmeliaA]

Maybe. Bless him. They all get it eventually.

Was happy to eat chaff off the ground in it tonight but grass was still too far for him ?‍

 

[Bob notacob]

Why do you think a muzzle is necessary?

 

[AmeliaA]

Why do you think a muzzle is necessary?

He’s rather porky and I’m already doing everything I can otherwise and he’s not losing weight at the rate I would like. He’s on restricted grazing already so the only other way I can think to help is a muzzle

 

[Boulty]

It took several months, lots of false starts, multiple different muzzle designs & several broken muzzles for my Highland to get it but he's not always the brightest crayon in the box. He eats happily in his flexible filly (& ONLY in that) now.

The Welsh one figured it out within a few hours on first go of first muzzle type.

 

[Widgeon]

It took several months, lots of false starts, multiple different muzzle designs & several broken muzzles for my Highland to get it but he's not always the brightest crayon in the box. He eats happily in his flexible filly (& ONLY in that) now.

The Welsh one figured it out within a few hours on first go of first muzzle type.

This is interesting. Yes really good point re muzzle type. I have only ever used the Flexible Filly (as always I did lots of research before buying anything, and all the others looked or sounded bulky and uncomfortable).

OP, perhaps you could try a different type of muzzle - which one are you using? And are you sure the hole is big enough? I had to enlarge the hole in the FF muzzle as he was really struggling even to hand graze through the original (tiny) hole.

Also, is the muzzle fitting properly? I fit my horses's muzzle quite tight, so the bottom is pretty close to his lips - otherwise he has to push it against the ground to graze and he struggles with it. I want to slow him down but I don't want to make the whole grazing experience miserable for him! It took an hour or so of fitting and messing around with cable ties in the stable before I'd got the fit good enough for him to graze properly.

 

[scats]

I have 2 muzzles for each horse. I use the flexible filly type.
I sacrifice one muzzle slightly by cutting the hole a bit bigger. I then use this one to get them used to wearing a muzzle and swap to the smaller hole when they have. Works every time.
It also means I have options for when the grass is very short and they need a slightly larger hole to access it. I can switch between muzzles as needed. Expensive initial outlay but makes life easier in the long term.

 

[AmeliaA]

It took several months, lots of false starts, multiple different muzzle designs & several broken muzzles for my Highland to get it but he's not always the brightest crayon in the box. He eats happily in his flexible filly (& ONLY in that) now.

The Welsh one figured it out within a few hours on first go of first muzzle type.

Funnily enough my Welsh mare took to it immediately too ?‍

 

[Boulty]

Strangely it was the flexible filly that mine refused to even try eating in at first (he also hated the dinky muzzle & killed it & traditional bucket muzzles I couldn't even get on him as he hated how closed in they were) Strangely it was a Harry's Horse (similar to Kramer) one with the nostril holes enlarged that made the penny drop (it's got a vertical rectangular slot rather than a round hole & for some reason it made more sense to him) but sadly it rubbed him so couldn't keep using it. For some reason once he'd worked it out in that he decided the flexible filly was also ok. I have 2 now. One with a slightly enlarged hole for when he needs most restriction & one with a more enlarged hole for shorter grass / muzzle reintroduction. It's a fine balance with him as if he decides he's being restricted too much he starts doing his best to eat out of the side & removing them!

 

[AmeliaA]

This is interesting. Yes really good point re muzzle type. I have only ever used the Flexible Filly (as always I did lots of research before buying anything, and all the others looked or sounded bulky and uncomfortable).

OP, perhaps you could try a different type of muzzle - which one are you using? And are you sure the hole is big enough? I had to enlarge the hole in the FF muzzle as he was really struggling even to hand graze through the original (tiny) hole.

Also, is the muzzle fitting properly? I fit my horses's muzzle quite tight, so the bottom is pretty close to his lips - otherwise he has to push it against the ground to graze and he struggles with it. I want to slow him down but I don't want to make the whole grazing experience miserable for him! It took an hour or so of fitting and messing around with cable ties in the stable before I'd got the fit good enough for him to graze properly.

The hole is very very small - I might try my mares muzzle on him as that hole is bigger and then if he figures that out I can cut a bigger hole in the other one and just leave him to it. I just don’t think I can leave him until he’s figured out how to graze in it.
yesterday he ate chaff off the floor with it though! Still not getting the grass though

 

[AmeliaA]

Strangely it was the flexible filly that mine refused to even try eating in at first (he also hated the dinky muzzle & killed it & traditional bucket muzzles I couldn't even get on him as he hated how closed in they were) Strangely it was a Harry's Horse (similar to Kramer) one with the nostril holes enlarged that made the penny drop (it's got a vertical rectangular slot rather than a round hole & for some reason it made more sense to him) but sadly it rubbed him so couldn't keep using it. For some reason once he'd worked it out in that he decided the flexible filly was also ok. I have 2 now. One with a slightly enlarged hole for when he needs most restriction & one with a more enlarged hole for shorter grass / muzzle reintroduction. It's a fine balance with him as if he decides he's being restricted too much he starts doing his best to eat out of the side & removing them!

I only have the flexible fully to try - can’t afford to be buying multiple muzzles unfortunately. Will try enlarging the hole once he’s got it - I’m only borrowing one atm

 

[Widgeon]

I might try my mares muzzle on him as that hole is bigger and then if he figures that out I can cut a bigger hole in the other one and just leave him to it.

That's a good idea - good luck, they're so expensive aren't they. I can't afford more than one either.

 

[Highmileagecob]

My cob had to wear a muzzle to restrict grazing, and eventually found a Tough 1 Easy Breathe was the only one that ticked his boxes. I have had three of them over eight summers. Make sure that the grazing hole is in the right place for him to feel grass on his lips, and check he can move his jaws to chew. I am now holding my breath in case mine still needs to be muzzled, as his teeth can't cope any more, and I can't keep him in alone.
A Dinky muzzle was also well tolerated, although he did learn to push it sideways to gain more grass. You have my sympathy, it is a frustrating time until they learn you are not starving them!