Grazing Muzzles - opinions please and some advice

[Storminateacup]

Just bought the Shires grazing muzzle for Jack.
Put it on fitted nice and snug - ten mins later horse in total misery, judging by his stance.
Tried to help him to graze through the little hole, by encouraging him to push down toward the grass and get a few blades through but after an hour of assistance I left him to his own devices and he just stood and dozed (or sulked)
My friend horses have learned to use the muzzle and appear to be grazing through as they are supposed to, so
what do you think is wrong? Is he just a slow learner, but generally he seems quite bright for a horse.

He was getting all frantic, I could not possible have left him in it, so I took it off, as I was worried he may be very distressed and get colic or something or not drink.

Perhaps we need a few little training sessions over the next few days before he goes back in his now rested field.

So ........please, any advice, tips etc. on how to use the thing without making horses life a misery.

I know we have to be cruel to be kind but......

 

[BigBird146]

I've got a shires one for my 13 hh welshie. He was very cross about it when I first put it on, but he's tolerating it OK now after a couple of weeks! I'd suggest that you build it up slowly and preferably when you can keep a bit of an eye on him as he might try and rub it off. A few hours at a time. I wouldn't want ot leave one on mine 24/7.. he has an ectopic tooth that it's rubbed a bit so now he's got it on during the day and off at night.
Don't be tempted to make the hole bigger though, he'll work it out but expect it to take a bit of time.

 

[itsme123]

by 'snug' how snug is it? is it tight round his muzzle?

I have to use a cob size shires on on our small 10hh pony.

If it's okay then just let him get on with it. I havent yet had one that hasnt had a hissy fit when it's first put on (The "but I can't eat, I'll die!" face coupled with stomping around and trying to get it off then sulking).

They do get used to it.

 

[Storminateacup]

Not tight round the muzzle.

 

[sugarnspice]

How do you mean 'frantic'?

Was he bombing around?
When I first put my horse in one, he made me feel like the biggest cow that ever walked the earth! He would stand and look absolutely miserable, wouldn't/couldn't eat. In the end I just had to put it on him, put him out and just walk away as soon as I'd shut the gate. I would be guilt tripped otherwise

.

 

[ann-jen]

Jenny took ages to get the hang of hers. She used to just wander aimlessly round the field trying to rub it off on the fence/her leg etc. In the end the YM loaned me an old muzzle which her horse had chewed the hole so it was a bit bigger so that Jenny could eat a bit easier and realised that she could still graze with it on. Once she got the hang of it she got the new one with the smaller hole back on. Now she manages fine in it. I have to say I did feel really mean those first few days when she was getting used to it though.

 

[wormhugs]

My horse has had one on the last couple of years. When I put it on the first time this year, he spent a few days walking round his field and then just standing at the gate making me feel hideously guilty about how mean I was and how he was suffering. He had a laminitis scare (digital pulses) and I kept him in for a couple of days. When he was allowed out again (yippee!!) he was so pleased to be out, he didnt care a hoot that he had his muzzle on as he was FREE!!!
Your boy will get used to it, dont worry!!!

 

[Partoow]

Rather the grazing muzzle than laminitus.
They get used to them.
Fussing with them and doing one day on , one day off just makes it worse. either use it or dont.