Grazing muzzle help

[Coblette]

My rather round pony goes on strike as soon as I put the muzzle on, yes at least she’s not eating but I would really like her to start grazing so I can leave the muzzle on for more than an hour or so! She just stands looking into the garden at me with sad eyes or goes and sleeps in the stable ??‍. It’s the shires one with the fleece in full size (cob size was a bit tight) so it fits fine and I’ve been feeding grass/hay cubes through the hole & she’s had the smallest nibble at the grass so she knows she can eat. Do I just have to be persistent? This is day 3 ...?

 

[lcrichardson]

My gelding is the same. He knows he can eat through it as I’ve seen him once or tired and fed him through it however he just stands at the gate all day sulking. I’m staying persistent, he’ll realise some time soon no one is coming to take it off for a good few hours. Our grass needs to grow a bit more too, then it’ll be easier for him to get.

 

[Casey76]

Persist.

Try observing from somewhere she can’t see you. They all give in with the sad eyes eventually.

To make things easier, ensure the grass is long enough to stick up through the hole easily, and you can post grass or a carrot or two through the hole to encourage them to move their jaws and make them realise that yes, they can eat with a bucket on their face.

ensure the bucket is wide enough that she can move her jaw easily, that her nostrils aren’t totally covered, and let her get on with it.

 

[Surbie]

Keep on going, they know they can do it, but if you give in they won't bother.

I had to hide behind the hedge in the next field to watch him. If he could see me he attempted the pathetic look. It's the same Shires one you have, but I made the hole slightly bigger because he's missing a front tooth.

 

[Coblette]

Ok I’ll stop being a push over and wait it out! It’s hard as she can see me in the kitchen/conservatory & the garden! I’m going to hide inside & watch her on the cameras. She’s too clever! Not used to these good doers ?

 

[Coblette]

It is definitely big enough, she can eat treats with it on! I’ve even opened up a little paddock with longer grass till she gets the hang of it!

 

[milliepops]

when introducing a muzzle I've always found a patch of grass that is tasty and the perfect length to easily poke up through the hole, take the horse there when they are a bit hungry and then they seem motivated to try and it's not too difficult. when they get the idea then they seem to cope with less perfect grass OK.

 

[Coblette]

How long do they go on strike for... it’s been 4 hours, and she’s had the smallest nibble ??‍

 

[lcrichardson]

How long do they go on strike for... it’s been 4 hours, and she’s had the smallest nibble ??‍

Mines been stood at the gate ( when it’s been on) for over a week now.

 

[Coblette]

I’m pleased to say after 5 hours of waiting... she was grazing ? will put back on today for a few hours and see how we go. Don’t want to cause any rubbing on her little pink nose!