Grazing muzzle fail... what to try next?

Casey76

Casey76

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Well... my grazing muzzle modifications haven’t gone down too well, and T, clever little minx that she is, is eating out of the nose holes ?????‍♀️, rather than the eating hole *sigh*

Anyone have any other ideas of what I can try to slow the little piglet down?

To note: I’m awaiting the results of her latest blood tests and x-rays wrt her PSSM, EMS, liver function and weight

Background: T is on a 24/7 grass free track with soaked hay/straw in slow feeder nets; instructions from vet to lose weight; she gets 30 mins faster (trot and canter) work 6 days a week and also 2 longer (1.5-2 hours) hacks each week. Weight is down from around 500kg to around 450kg, with another 50-ish to go.

Grazing muzzles must have adequate ventilation at the nostrils else she gets extremely anxious. Bucket-type preferred as there are too many trees/bushes to get a muzzle only (green guard) type caught up on.
 
Have u tried the shires deluxe bucket muzzle? I think I have heard people cutting out extra sections where the nostrils are( I am thinking of doing this myself). I never thought my horse would tolerate one but she does. It means she can be put with her field mates instead of a tiny bald patch. She still manages to mutual groom too ?
 
https://www.derbyhousestore.com/Shi...1lsW02Zx_e9OIpOSKqZ4dGItlcy-JpkEaAkPuEALw_wcB

The Shires Flexi Grazer muzzle. My horse has a selection of different grazing muzzles and this one is the best and most effective. It looks awful, like a plastic bucket with holes, but it is really well ventilated and never ever rubs. She has the full size one even though she is a 14hh Connemara as in my experience a roomy muzzle is more comfortable and doesn’t rub the skin.
 
Bernster said:
Which ones have you tried? Annoyingly, I saw one on Facebook today which is like the shires but has extra large hose holes which looked good…find it, not cheap though!

https://ultimatemuzzle.com/
Click to expand...

Her newest one is a Zypher, which is an Ultimate, but lower on the face.

She’s also had a Tough-One Easy Breathe, and a Dinky.

Same problem with the Dinky (eating out of the nose holes), and the Tough-One has a too-large eating hole.

This was her collection from last yearE2F5F458-4607-41D3-BAF7-ED1D1073D029.jpeg


Which was replaced by: F53D04EE-157F-42C7-B21B-F9D591FE1830.jpeg

She really didn’t get on with the Shires flexi-grazer, got herself into a bit of a state because her nostrils were too covered, same with the middle one.

The most successful (as in hard wearing) was the second from the right, but it’s not efficient at slowing her down.
 
Casey76 said:
Her newest one is a Zypher, which is an Ultimate, but lower on the face.

She’s also had a Tough-One Easy Breathe, and a Dinky.

Same problem with the Dinky (eating out of the nose holes), and the Tough-One has a too-large eating hole.

This was her collection from last yearView attachment 73460


Which was replaced by: View attachment 73461

She really didn’t get on with the Shires flexi-grazer, got herself into a bit of a state because her nostrils were too covered, same with the middle one.

The most successful (as in hard wearing) was the second from the right, but it’s not efficient at slowing her down.
Click to expand...
What’s the third one in the first photo?
 
Try again with the dinky but fashion a strap to the front of the nose, straight up the centre of the face and fix to the headpiece between the ears.
I did just that for a chubber who ate through the nose holes, stopped her in her tracks. Used an old 'thread through leg strap' off a rug, this worked well!
 
poiuytrewq said:
I really do feel your pain!
Why does she need a muzzle on a grass free track?
Click to expand...

Because, there is ad-lib access to hay in slow feeder nets dotted around the track, and she was gaining weight with the ad-lib access ??

poiuytrewq said:
What’s the third one in the first photo?
Click to expand...

It’s either a Tough-one easy breathe, or a similar version (Kramer Ferdinand etc)


The Fuzzy Furry said:
Try again with the dinky but fashion a strap to the front of the nose, straight up the centre of the face and fix to the headpiece between the ears.
I did just that for a chubber who ate through the nose holes, stopped her in her tracks. Used an old 'thread through leg strap' off a rug, this worked well!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I’ll suggest that. I’m guessing with the strap up the front of the face it makes it harder to position the nose holes for eating?

My only concern with that is what happens if she sticks her head in a bush or tree, how likely is it that it will get caught up/tangled?
 
Casey it lifts the nose holes enough, or prevents them dropping (I'd tried gaffa tape over them to start with!). Getting caught up? No more than the side straps getting caught on gate catches etc, the velcro should release on the sides. Otherwise get nifty with sewing velcro tabs on extra strap x
 
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