Getting used to muzzles...

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CobsGalore

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How long did it take your horse to get used to eating through a bucket type muzzle?

My horse had it on for the first time yesterday, and although I think he got the odd bit here and there, he came in absolutely starving in the evening.

I was thinking about cutting a slightly bigger hole in it, or is this giving in?!!

He also lives out 24/7 - I can't decide whether it's better to leave him in it 24/7 or take it off at night. I did take it off last night while introducing it to him, but worried about him gorging and eating just as much in less time!

The ideal would be a starvation paddock during the evening, but I am yet to make one of these.
 
I made the hole slightly bigger... also stood and fed grass and a few other treats through it so he got the idea... the first time he had it on he stood looking pathetic for 3 hours so I chickened out and took it off. the second time he was munching away and I haven't looked back!
 
As soon as I left him :cool:. If you want it to have any effect then you need to leave it on all the time they are out as they will eat what they couldnt get when it was on over night so will end up eating the same ammount as normal otherwise. I used to bring mine in to a big net of straw to give him some bulk before riding when he was muzzled.
 
Thanks.

How long did you leave it before giving in and making the hole slightly bigger??

Because he is out 24/7 I worry that he just won't get enough grass if it is left as it is with it on all the time.
 
The main thing is to make sure that the muzzlle base is not too close to the mouth.Grass still has to be able to poke through,depending on its length.Its a trial and error till you get used to adjusting it. My friends little Sheltie came back into the yard herself from the adjoining field "telling" us she couldnt get any grass.Adjusted it ,out and back she came again.Widened the hole did the trick but not the answer as it gets all ragged andtoo much grass.Solved it all with new Roma fabric rubber base muzzle.Excellent results.
 
I didnt make the hole bigger but I did bring him in to a net of straw for up to an hour before riding so that he got enough fibre.
 
I've made the hole bigger on mine. I'm yet to put it on her yet though, I shall attempt again tonight. This morning she caught sight of it hidden behind my back and quickly turned around and made a run for it before I had chance to catch her. Luckily for her I had to be in work, so didn't have time to chase her around the field.
 
I have a Welsh B that once upon a time several years ago had an injury related laminitis. This year as he is now a paddock ornament I decided to fit the grazing muzzle (dinky rugs one) to allow him to spend more time in the field. The first day he just stood miserably looking around him but by day 2 he had it sussed!
I allow it on him 24 hours but it has to be checked daily to ensure that there is no rubbing. I did not need to enlarge any hole. He is certainly a lot happier being out with the herd than being stood in.
 
I feel mean keeping it on him 24/7 but I worry about him gorging over night. He would get a 2-3 hour break from it in the evenings when I bring him in to ride and give him some lo-cal hay replacer. Do you think this sounds ok?
 
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