Grazing muzzles...opinions/advice please!

[bex1984]

It's official. Fat pony needs a grazing muzzle.

So, which one is best to go for? I can't stretch to a greenguard one at the mo so it needs to be one of the cheaper ones (especially as he's going to hate it and might try to destroy it).

I've been looking at the Shires nylon one, is it any good? Or are there any other reasonably cheap grazing muzzles you'd receommend?

Also, I don't know what size to go for. Pony is 14hh but chunky...his noseband on his bridle is cob size but has to be done up on the loosest hole so should I go for a cob or full muzzle?

I am not looking forward to putting it on him so would appreciate hearing your success stories to help motivate me!!

Thanks!

 

[Law]

I know you said you can't stretch to a greenguard but that would be my preferred choice. (You can get them on ebay and only need the muzzle bit not the complete headcollar set up)
Whatever you choose to go with I would either walk your horse out in hand with it on and let him/her graze on a verge or on long grass with it on. Then when you turn out in it for the first time walk away and observe for a few minutes out of sight. If your horse knows you are lurking they might make more of a fuss/strop about it and play up on the off chance that you will rescue them from the muzzle monster!
I've watched a couple and the worst they do is have a fit for 10 mins and then sulk about it and get on with it.

you have to be cruel to be kind sometimes!

Good luck

 

[bensababy]

i have the shires one - it took him a while to work out how to eat through it but he mastered it after a few hours, id rather him be out getting a bit of grass without gorging and going down with Lammi again than stuck in a stable with limited grass, i have to say i was dead against them before - they look like hannibal lecters mask but god will it save you on vets bills! good luck and let us know how you get on! x

 

[kizzywiz]

I have 2 ponies who both need a muzzle, 1 eats through the bottom of the cheaper makes, like the Shires, so she has a Best Friend, which are quite expensive about £40, the other mare has a Shires which has lasted ages. I tried a Greengard, awful, it rubbed & they get their noses out of the side!!

 

[wizgirl]

hated greenguard - echo above re eatingout the side.

Wiz got on well with shires one in pink though as every time he dumped the green one couldn't find it in the field. the pink one shone like a little light much to my boy's disgust. who stood and wateched me hunt!!!!!!

 

[PinkieMinx]

One fat little section A who puts weight on just LOOKING at the grass!!! Put the shires one on her and it badly rubbed, but a bit of cheap sheepskin and some fabric glue later and one ideal weight pony!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

seren has the shires nylon muzzle and she is a doddle with it, though luckily this year so far we have managed to avoid the need to use it, highly unusual, but great all the same