grazing muzzles

[Christmas_Kate]

I currently have a shires webbing muzzle which has the velcro safety feature, but unfortunately FGO has learnt he can get it off by using the water trough....

so, i need a muzzle which isnt so easy to get off and which he would find easier to eat through (he cannot seem to graze at all through this one).
Grass is really lush and he's a fatty so ideas asap please!!!!!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Greenguard grazing masks are the best without a doubt. They allow your horse to graze but limit his intake. It worked wonders with my lad last summer. He used to come in at night without the 'grass bloat belly' that he used to get.

They are quite expensive, around £35 & that doesn't include their head collar (you can fit it to an ordinary headcollar).

Example: http://www.horsingaroundsaddlery.co.uk/item--GREENGUARD-MASK--5415.html

Alot of the other masks are cheaper but I believe they restrict the grazing too much & also cause quite a few rubs on the horse's face.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Most muzzles will be got off if rubbed on trough/gate or tree, could you not fence off the trough and give him a water tub instead? Could you not make the hole in the bottom a little bigger?

 

[RachelB]

I used the Greenguard one for my fat Welshie. She did manage to get her muzzle to one side of it a couple of times and eat normally, but other than that it was good and didn't rub. The only thing that rubbed was the headcollar, until I started using a soft one and put some cheap woolly stuff over the noseband bit. She could definately eat in it, but had to work at it.

 

[Amy_08]

Yep I've got the Greenguard muzzle too and have used it successfully for the past few summers. Sometimes she manages to get it to one side, but generally it stays in place. You do have to watch for rubbing from the headcollar, but I pad mine up with sheepskin stuff. They can still eat easily, just not nearly enough.

 

[Law]

Another vote for the Greenguard muzzle. Mine has had one on since last April, every day and night, unless he's in. It rubbed a little when i just used it with a headcollar but i used fleecy nosebands to help with this. I have also bought the proper headcollar that you can use with it and that has been good so far.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

He was literally throwing himself on the floor yesterday in an attempt to get it off. I feel so sorry for him!!
I am going to see if I can change the muzzle I have (as it fits well and doesnt rub in any way) to make it easier for him to eat (and in turn not make him want to rip it off so desperately lol), but if not will be getting one of the greenguards. Thanks everyone!

 

[shadowboy]

Green guard ones are brill, horsy couldnt getit off unless he ripped a leather strap but they are easily and cheeply replaced. No rubs or marks. Mine lived in it 24/7 over the summer. Well worth the £45 to buy it all though!