Grazing muzzles?

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Sandstone1

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Im thinking of getting one as hate to keep my fattie coped up. Can they eat at all with them on? what about drinking? Do they rub? I dont like the idea really but have to keep the weight off somehow. What are peoples thoughts/experiences of them please. Also what are the best makes. Thanks
 
I use the dinky pony 1 on my mare ( they do go up to xl size). I have found it a perfect fit and has not rubbed at all like some do she lives out 24/7 and wears the muzzle for 8 hours. Most do eat and drink no problem. Mine however is on hunger strike and just stands at the gate all day :(. Until your horse is used to the muzzle only put it on for short periods until the horse is happy wearing it. Poke bits of grass through the holes etc. This has been covered a lot on the forum recently so maybe put it into the search for more info :D.
 
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The greenguard ones are good, but quite expensive. I have one for sale with the headcollar as young cob has outgrown it
 
I have Shires muzzles on two ponies, it means the herd can go out together but the little fatties have their intake restricted by about 50%. I try to give them a break for a few hours each day, but from March to November they will virtually live in them.

There is slight rubbing but nothing significant and they are perfectly happy out in them (although I'm quite sure they would be happier without them)
 
I have heard that greenguard are the best. I have a shires one that gets occasional use, field is fairly bare still as hasnt been rested for very long this year so grass isnt as rich as it was when i put them on it first.

It did rub slightly, i thought of putting vaseline on her muzzle where it was rubbing but it was nothing major so didnt cause a problem.

She was able to eat and drink fine, but admittedly was a bit depressed when i put it on. But she is extreeeemely greedy.

I will probably keep them in during the day with soaked hay, turn them out at night when the sugars are not as high in the grass and try and manage the weight that way this summer if it becomes a problem. Maybe this is something you'd consider if yours has lbs to shift!;)
 
Mine wears a shires on from beg april till novemeber ish (dep on weather). She has lived out 24/7 with it on but is in at night just now. I don't have any problems with rubbing but it important they fit properly.
 
I have to say I hate them. I have two fatties on my yard and I just restrict them to a small paddock with very little grass that is next to the other horses. They seem very happy and a good healthy weight.
 
Small paddocks with very little grass is great but some people dont have that luxury, it's a big field and lots of friends or nothing where I am, so I have to put mine in a grazing muzzle. He comes in at night with 2 pads of soaked hay, and his weight and mood is fine.

Not having a go btw, just some people don't have the choice of there own private paddock with however much grass they'd like. It's necessary for some, nobody wants fat ponies with lami!

x
 
I've never found one that didn't rub. Shires OK for a bit, but it's no life, really. I don't know what kind of a mess we've made of this earth, but honestly, to have made the grass so rich it kills ponies designed to graze? It's all a bit crap.
Sorry , you didn't ask for philosophy!
I would go with having several different muzzles (they rub in different places) and managing time/grazing to minimize muzzle use.
 
Caitlineloise- that's my problem. We are in a 5 acres field with good grass and 2 horses. YO doesn't let us divide it up as needs access to muck heap with tractor. Can't bring in for a few hours a day as they all live on in summer. Mine will be in on her own and will go ballistic! My only option is muzzle and lots of work.
 
H is out 24/7, 365 and has a Greengaurd which I use selectively throughout the summer. Last year I did not need it at all, as the grass grew so slowly, this year he's been using it for a couple of months already.

I would prefer he was able to walk around the field and forage, as he would be frustrated and miserable if I kept him in a tiny paddock. With the muzzle on he just has to work a lot harder for his food, but is able to forage all day.
 
Greenguards have been the answer for my dales gelding. He moves around alot more looking for food. Although he will stand at the gate and sulk if there is anyone around, once he cant see you he wanders off and grazes. It did rub some hair off under his chin but a little aqueous cream and the skin soon hardened off and also he did start to lose some hair behind his ears so i bought a couple of chamois leathers which i change and wash. (i think it was to do with him getting a bit sweaty under the headpiece when it was really hot)
 
My girl wars a Hy muzzle for approx 10 hours per day and then is in at night.
It doesn't appear to rub.
She spends about 30 seconds when I first turn her out trying to get it off but then gets down to grazing. She seems to do a pretty good job of eating with it on. I've seen her drink with it on too and she has no problem.
Mind you we do have some big patches of longer grass which she tends to stick to - I suppose it's easier to get at the long grass than short cropped grass.
Before the Hy muzzle she had a Shires muzzle which I think was a slightly better fit.
Her old owner had sewn some bits of sheepskin round the rim of the muzzle to prevent rubbing.
 
I bought a muzzle this year having managed without for 9 years as this year we had soooooo much grass. Skye is still in overnight ( goes out about 7 comes in around 5 ) and although she was putting a little bit of weight on i actually bought the muzzle cause she was coming in really bloated. She went from being a pleasurable forward going and responsive ride to being just plain hard work and throughly unenjoyable even to hack out.
I decided on a greenguard and can't rate it highly enough, never really been a fan of muzzles but Skye is getting on great with it. It rubbed her under her chin and on the front of her nose but i just kept putting it on and rubbed sudacreme on morning and night and now the skin has hardened no problems. She is looking great and is back to being a pleasure to ride.
 
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