Grazing Muzzles - Again

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Reform

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Thanks to those who responded to my last post. The one I actually have is a Shires one. Anyway I tried it on my pony last night and she wasn't able to eat with it on. I thought they were supposed to be able to eat with one on but restrict the amount of grass. The hole is too far forward.

Has anyone found this?

Thanks.
 
You may have a horse like mine - it's more a case of won't eat with it on rather than can't
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We found last year with the shires muzzles that the sizes came up very small.

A girl at the yard ended up buying a cob sized shires muzzle for her 12.2 (with a fine head).

I have a cob sized aerborn grazing muzzle for my 14.2 (looks identical to the shires) but in comparison to the shires one the other girl has mine is much bigger.

I admit I did cut the whole a little bigger in mine but I would make sure yours is not to small.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've got a pony size one on a 12hh Welshy. It is quite loose around the muzzle and I've just looked on ebay at the pictures and they seem to be tighter fitting.

She is a greedy little pony and she did try to eat but couldn't seem able to.

Any ideas?
 
Can you not just put the pony on restricted grazing as opposed to putting a muzzle on? I'm sorry I just do not like those things at all! When I had my old prone-to-laminitis pony we put him in small 'slimmers paddock' during the day and had no problems at all with laminitis.

Sorry I just feel these types of things become 'fashionable', i know I have seen one appear on a horse on a local yard and no doubt more of the yard will have them this year. Just like the fly sheets - again why? Horses have manes and tails to keep flies off and can't believe that many horses have sweetitch?! Sorry, I just get mad when I think people get stuff for their horse just cos so and so has it for theirs!
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I used to keep my cushings pony on a a very bare paddock to control her laminitis. Being a greedy little monster she was ingesting loads of soil with the grass, and ended up with sand colic. My vet recommended a grazing muzzle. I use a greenguard one. It did take her a few days to get used to it, I just put it on for a short while until she learned how to eat with it on. As long as you are sure the muzzle is the correct size I would persevere to see if she starts grazing in it.
 
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Can you not just put the pony on restricted grazing as opposed to putting a muzzle on? I'm sorry I just do not like those things at all! When I had my old prone-to-laminitis pony we put him in small 'slimmers paddock' during the day and had no problems at all with laminitis.

Sorry I just feel these types of things become 'fashionable',

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I have them for both of my ponies and it is nothing to do with Fashion.

I personally would rather that they were allowed to roam over a decent sized space, and just have their intake of grass limited than have them stood in a starvation pen for the whole summer, barely moving. At least in a full sized field they are moving about with their herd. I think spending your days in a starvation paddock must be mentally numbing.

Mine looked a bit bemused for the first few days wearing them, but they soon learn how to make the most of it - they dotn mind having them on at all now.
 
I used a grazing muzzle on my mare, (she would jump out off a grazing paddock in protest!!! it was the greenguard one i think (made out of hard but flexible plastic) with 4 leather straps) it was on during the day and off at night but began to rub her (and yes it was fitted correctly and not on for too long) she has very soft/sensitive skin. our local saddler made one for her out of leather it was lovely and soft and flexible. it wore down after 2 years of use and i have since had another one made for her and my pony. they fit well are comfortable, i have never had any trouble whatsoever with them. Just another suggestion for you
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks to those who responded to my last post. The one I actually have is a Shires one. Anyway I tried it on my pony last night and she wasn't able to eat with it on. I thought they were supposed to be able to eat with one on but restrict the amount of grass. The hole is too far forward.

Has anyone found this?

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you tried cutting up an apple and feeding it to her through the holes...I bet she manages to eat it
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You can also try pulling up some grass and poking it through so she gets the idea.

It took my pony ages to get the idea. However, there was only so long he could bear to stand and sulk, and he did eventually give in and start eating!! I was reaching the point of despair by the time he got he hang of it though. Try to stick with it!

Unfortunately, shortly after wokring out how to eat with it on, he worked out how to remove it
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I agree bex1984, Ellie HATED me for about a week of first having it on but soon got the hang of it. Only thing I found with the shires on is that she pushes soo hard trying to get the gras through the hole that she rubbed her chin quite badly. But she went from this:
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to this is a week:
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So I think they work just a shame my bloody horse has sensitive skin...
 
Hi, Muzzles are defiantly not a fashion statement. After my 4year old TB’s first bout of laminitis last year I put her in a starvation paddock. 5 months later she had it again, but worse. I had changed her feed (from Alfa-A to Healthy Hooves) and increased her exercise as per the vet’s advice. I asked the vet why she had got it again and I was told that over grazed grass gets stressed and produces more of the bad sugars.

I bought a muzzle the next day! It is not nice putting it on and I feel horrid doing it but I know it will save her life.
 
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Hi, Muzzles are defiantly not a fashion statement...

...I asked the vet why she had got it again and I was told that over grazed grass gets stressed and produces more of the bad sugars.


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Echo this, plus the fact that small starvation paddocks are so hard to keep. One drop of rain and the place turns in to a quagmire, what with the ground being compacted from the horse going over and over the same spot, which also means it bakes solid in the summer. Many YO's will not allow them for this reason, plus the additional cost of fencing and the inconvenience of moving said fencing. I know my YO would go up the wall if someone started sticking fencing up (electric or otherwise) and let their horse trash sections of his pasture bit by bit!

Muzzles let horses move around and graze naturally, interacting with other horses, whilst restricting grass intake. Mine wears a Greenguard for most of the summer, I tried many other makes and was never satisfied but the Greenguard was worth every penny (needs to be used with their headcollar to work effectively though).

I do agree with you about fly rugs though LadyT. Waste of money
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which muzzle does anyone find that doesnt rub i find the shires one rubs on his chin any ideas and yes muzzles are neccesary if your horse looks at grass and puts on loads of weight i dont want laminitis or to split him up from his friends that would be cruel
 
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