Grazing muzzles - 24 hours?

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RachelB

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I have always read that 12 hours is the recommended maximum time for a grazing muzzle to be on a horse. However mine is disgustingly fat (it was un-avoidable) and is on eight acres of good grass. She has had it on for 12 hours today (12 and a half to be more precise) and HATED it, she runs over to me whinnying when I come to take it off (this is a horse who usually can't be bothered to say hello). However, her field is a way away from my house and it would be easier for me to only go up once a day, although I don't mind too much if I still have to go twice. Would it be "acceptable" to leave the muzzle on for 24 hours, then take it off for 24 hours? Or even, to leave it on for 24 hours then leave it off for 12, then back on again for 24? I really need to get the weight off her and exercise isn't an option (injured pony!). Nor is bringing her in, sectioning off the field, etc. - the muzzle is the only thing I can do!
Advice really, really appreciated as I feel I am a bad owner for letting her get fat (although it wasn't my fault!) and also for putting this horrible muzzle on her, I can't win!
 
my little pony had one on for a while, i used to say sorry to him everytime i put it on!! i put it on 1st thing and took it off in evening, so i heard that the grass isnt as rich at night, my pony broke his within 3 weeks i dont know how though!!
 
when my pony wore one during the spring he had it on during the day and off at night-but a couple of days he would wear it overnight too if i wasnt able to go up to the yard twice. just make sure it wont rub by putting some nice padding in it or putting some vaseline under it!!!
 
Pepper wears hers from Spring through to Autumn otherwise she'd pop!. She only wears it during the day and is only put out 24 hrs at the weekend but then she go without it over night and stuff her little face for 12 hours.

I wouldn't say she's happy with it, more resigned to it.
 
poppy was wearin hers for like one full day then half the next then off that night if that makes sense?? but it has started to rub her so i hav had to take it off an put her in the small paddock
 
I did have the muzzle on my fat welsh sec a 24 hours when he was out with my other horse (RIP Benjamin) this was a short term measure because i knew my boy was being PTS and i wanted them out together 24/7 and my boy needed grass - i would say that if the horse can eat thought it then 24/7 is ok but you must make sure they are getting enough to eat - to starve a horse can mean it mobilises the fat lipids into the blood and can cause severe problems. My pony was so good at eating through it he could even manage hay - it just slowed him down it didnt stop him. The problem i had with my muzzle was that it did rub and so i had to be v careful to ensure he was ok in it. Good luck!
 
i think u an me are in the same boat! no stable crumbling feet on pop so i can't ride her, but have to get the weight off
frown.gif
its hardwork, i was so upset earlier cause i am so disappointed in myself
 
Gingy wears his 24/7 all summer. He hated it with a passion to begin with, threw himself on the floor, kept ripping them off.

But now its like second nature. He doesnt notice it any more.
 
I did use a grazzing muzzle for a while, as pony was getting on the "fat" side and prevention is always better that a cure...
The pony would have the grazzing muzzle on in the late after- noon when he joined his buddies in the field for 3 to 4 hours max, then left out (weather permitting) and the muzzle would then come off till the morning then he would come in the stable with soaked hay till afternoon. as you should'nt really leave a pony or horse with out anything to chew (ie;hay/grass) for more than eight hours as this could bring on gastric ulcers?

Gastric ulcers are the result of erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to digestive acids the horse's stomach continuously secretes. In the wild, when a horse is grazing for up to 16hr a day, acidity is reduced by the forage and also by bicarbonate in the saliva.
If stabled horses regularly have access to hay and grazing, this natural preventative process continues, whereas if they are fed high-concentrate diets with only limited access to forage, the acidity in the stomach increases. Any period without forage intake, whether due to management practices or illness, leads to increased gastric acidity and risk of ulcers
 
Mine was out 24/7 with his on whilst the grass was long/rich. It only came off when there was nothing much in it. He was hungry at times and came in to ad lib hay and hi-fi lite/good doer but he was getting plenty of grass when muzzled (he has a greenguard one which lets more grazz in). Like I said when he was a good weight and there was little grass out there he had it off straight away.
I would not want to leave him with it on a day and then off a day when the grass is rich/lush as he would gorge on the day when it was off and blow up/be at risk of colic/lami. He's a greedy begger!
 
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