grazing muzzles?

ester

ester

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That time of year again! Trying to decide what to do with Frank as strip grazing hasn't really worked in the past for us. Last year we were going to try and turn them out on the whole paddock early (just as the grass turned a bit greener!) to see how that went but were thwarted by Frank injuring himself so having to go on restricted as he couldnt be worked.

They have been out on this paddock (bout 1.5 acres) for a couple of weeks now in the day so the grass is still short but I am aware of how much it is growing and not sure I am happy him being out on it 24 hours even though he is in quite hard work. They have to go out asap as we only have 5 bales of hay left :rolleyes: So think I am either going to have to restrict him for part of the day or consider muzzling him. The latter would probably be easier but he is a sensitive soul with regards to getting rubs so just wondered what you all use and how do you get on with them?
 
That is an issue I'm having at the moment too! I'm possibly changing paddocks and moving onto one with lush long grass - not ideal for a native good doer :( I normally manage really well with a track system, but starting it up on long grass is going to be a problem and I have muzzled in the past which resulted in the stable and fencing getting trashed in my mare's desperation to get it off, so don't really want to try again; but may well have to! I did use a Shires muzzle with the hole cut slightly larger, although it did rub under her chin a bit so might look into the greenguard ones. Sorry, that's probably no help to you at all as I haven't a clue either! :rolleyes:
 
No I think I would be looking at the greenguard route if I did it.

His grazing companion is not such a good doer and happy for her to be out on it, she doesnt stuff herself quite so much as he did. Last year was the first year we split them up because we had to and they were alright with this.... ie Frank didnt just hop over the eleccy fence to get to the extra grass!
 
I use the shires grazing muzzle, my mare currently has it on 24/7, it doesn't really rub her at all. Tried the greenguard muzzle and it didn't really seem to stop her intake of grass!!!

I am going to put up a race track round the outside of their summer field, but cant at the moment as the field is so so wet, limiting them to a small area would be a nightmare!
 
I use the shires muzzles on my ponies... I found the pony size rubbed my little girls chin (she's only 12hh with a small head) so she now wears a cob sized one... the muzzle bit doesnt rub at all and the head piece adjusts small enough that she cant get it off... :)
 
I have two unused small greengauge muzzles. I put one on my shetland and cut the straps to fit. He had it off before I had unclipped his headcollar so didnt bother to try the other one
 
Hi, I have got 2 warmblood mares and they do put on weight in the summer. Last year, I decided to buy the greenguard bigger ones. I had tried the smaller one about 3 yrs ago but my mare got it off after just 10 mins, it was up her face and she was eating from the corner of it!
But I have to say that I put the mask on Sol first, and i had to walk away, after showing her that she can get some grass through it, but kept having a look to make sure she was OK. Well it worked and I could turn her out all day last summer and still compete on a fit sleek horse. :)
I decided to put one on R too and she took a little longer to settle in it but she was OK. I will be putting them on again this year too and I am biting the bullet and I`m gonna leave them out 24/7 when it gets dry and warm. I think I`ll try taking them off in the night but having them on in the day.
My friend puts some padding on our masks with a waterproof tape across the front and back of the muzzle as we found that it did rub a little bit in these areas. But with this padding on, they`re brill, no rubbing at all.
Hope this helps. x
 
Suffolkangel said:
I use the shires muzzles on my ponies... I found the pony size rubbed my little girls chin (she's only 12hh with a small head) so she now wears a cob sized one... the muzzle bit doesnt rub at all and the head piece adjusts small enough that she cant get it off... :)
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Agree with the above - my 12.2hh welshie has a cob size shires muzzle and I have no problems with rubbing, although he is only out for a few hours a day. He is very happy wearing it and will in fact put his head in it so that he can go out to play. On the other hand the exmoor will trash a muzzle within an hour and, after going through 4 in quick succession, I gave up that battle!
 
Suffolkangel said:
I use the shires muzzles on my ponies... I found the pony size rubbed my little girls chin (she's only 12hh with a small head) so she now wears a cob sized one... the muzzle bit doesnt rub at all and the head piece adjusts small enough that she cant get it off... :)
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I need to get one for my pony too and she wears a cob size head collar so what size grazing muzzle do you think i should get?? just cob?? :confused: xxx
 
I have used a muzzle on my girl before, one of the shires nylon ones. They do make you feel guilty when you first put them on, my girl is so expressionate too and really looks sad!
They are not expensive so I would try it out, and don't fall for the 'look how sad i am' straight away as they soon adapt :D
My girl has not worn hers for a few years now as I have been able to manage the grazing and restrict it enough to keep her slimmer. Good luck either way.
 
Hannah123 said:
I need to get one for my pony too and she wears a cob size head collar so what size grazing muzzle do you think i should get?? just cob?? :confused: xxx
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Because my boy has a big head I measures round where the muzzle would fit and went to the tack shop with a tape measure, he did only need a full. Might have peeved the owner though as I never bought one from her instead I got a second hand one on ebay for £3 does the job :D
 
QR
I've successfully used grazing muzzles on my ponies for a few years now. I find the Shires and similar makes come up a bit small so my Fell and NF both have full size although generally wear cob headcollars.
I used to own a little NF mare that could get her muzzle through the gaps in the "corners" of a Greenguard mask, although I believe the design has now changed.
 
My gelding can put on weight at the merest sniff of grass. He was muzzled all last summer and bless him he will stand and allow me to put the muzzle on without any problems. I still feel guilty though.

We use greenguard, as it is possible to heat the plastic muzzle part and get it to exactly the right shape for your horses face.

However, do be aware that the headcollar can rub underneath the chin. Not a problem for my lad, who has a wide jaw, but my OH's mare has had some nasty rubs in the past and as she has had laminitus in the past, we end up having to choose the lesser of two evils.

We've looked at other muzzles and still prefer the Greenguard, but if your lad is prone to rubbing make sure you get the right size headcollar to go with the guard.
 
Is it bad that I am pleased that they have trashed the field a bit in the wet :D. Am going to keep a careful eye on the amount of grass out there and the amount of growth in the resting paddock (set our arena up out there today and was much less than I thought) but keep it in mind.

Mine main concern with the muzzles is drinking. pinch testing Frank doesnt really work to check hydration (he has bizarre skin!) but think will keep them in mind. He has never had lami even when he was huge before I bought him but it is always in the back of my mind.
 
ester said:
Is it bad that I am pleased that they have trashed the field a bit in the wet :D. Am going to keep a careful eye on the amount of grass out there and the amount of growth in the resting paddock (set our arena up out there today and was much less than I thought) but keep it in mind.

Mine main concern with the muzzles is drinking. pinch testing Frank doesnt really work to check hydration (he has bizarre skin!) but think will keep them in mind. He has never had lami even when he was huge before I bought him but it is always in the back of my mind.
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Funnily enough me and the other livery were well pleased they were trashing it a bit, means less grass! = good :D

They manage very well regards the drinking thing. Its hard not to worry about them wearing those muzzles and they like to lay it on thick with the sad faces :D
 
Grazing muzzles and Welshies don't mix in my experience.

I've tried every type of muzzle on Fudge known to mankind, he was trashing them all with-in minutes by standing on the bottom and ripping it off. It was costing me over £60 a week and he was cutting himself trying to remove them.

My other pony wears a Aerborn grazing muzzle, they are similar to the Shires onces but seem to fit her better and don't rub as much.

The key with the Shires muzzles as others have said is to buy a size bigger than you need as this helps prevent rubs.

The Green Guard muzzles are easy to remove and I've also found the straps snap really easily.

I've yet to meet a horse that didn't want too or wasn't able to drink due to wearing a muzzle, sometimes it takes them a couple of hours to get the idea of eating though.
 
trendybraincell said:
Thats what I thought last year, and frankly its a waste of money!! They either make them tiny or huge, in the end I went with the shires but had to get the full as the cob rubbed.
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I've posted on the other muzzle thread what I think of the greenguard ones, people need to contact the manufacturer and complain, thats what I did and had a refund, if you don't tell them they don't know they 're not working, I'm disgusted they are still selling them tbh

Who do they use to test these products on ! my horse sussed it out alright !
 
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