Greenguard muzzle rubbing chin

Moomin1

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 July 2010
Messages
7,968
Visit site
I've just bought a Greenguard muzzle for my extra greedy mare, and found after only a day and a half use she has a rubbed chin from it. It does fit her correctly but I think she is opening her jaws so wide to try and graze it's catching the back of her chin :( .

Any handy tips to stop it happening? So far I can only think of trying Vaseline smeared all over her chin and the muzzle basket.
 
I have a greengaurd muzzle for my little Dartmoor and he gets sore on his chin to start with, I usually run antibac cream on it, after a while the skin toughens up and it doesn't leave rub marks , figure it's better than laminitis and he doesn't seem bothered by it :)
 
I had the same problem, and solved it. First, I took the muzzle off (take off straps), and dunked it into a bucket with boiling/very hot water until it got a bit softer. While soft (wear something to protect your hands from burning!) I squished the side of the muzzle where the chin is into a rounder shape, rather than the flat shape it is normally. That gave a bit more room.
The other thing I did was to put duct tape over that side of the muzzle, shiny side in, to make a smooth surface. If you have rubs, you want less material and less friction, so padding with fabric and/or sheepskin doesn't work IMO. Lanacane antichafing gel is also very good. It's like a dry gel, I think made with silicone. That makes the duct tape and chin more slippery, so less friction.
Worked for my gelding. He still rubbed some hair off, but never broke or irritated the skin itself. I'd keep a close eye on the front teeth though. Unfortunately, mine wore pretty big marks into his front teeth, so I had to stop using the muzzle. I think it depends a lot on the horse though whether they use their lips to pull the grass, or scrape their teeth over the plastic with every bite, as mine did.
 
I've got the same problem! Greenguard muzzle and voila rubbed chin!! This morning I lowered the basket and slathered his chin in sudocrem hoping that would help but I think supsup's advice may be the key because the muzzle is just too 'flat'.
 
I solved this problem with brown parcel tape stuck to the side of the muzzle which the chin sits on, then rub Vaseline over it, worked wonders and required no skill to do :)
 
I put flamazine (I think - YO gave it to me!) on his rubs, which really toughened his skin up. Then sewed plenty of sheepskin onto any bit that looked like it might rub. Also tried duct tape - that worked, but I had to replace it regularly as it rubbed through so quickly.
 
Any tips on stopping them from taking it off??!?

It shouldn't come off if you use the greenguard headcollar with it. Though to be honest I haven't used the extra strap yet...I just thread the headpiece through the ear holes on her sweet itch rug. She hasn't got it off yet and she manages to get every other muzzle off within minutes.
 
It shouldn't come off if you use the greenguard headcollar with it. Though to be honest I haven't used the extra strap yet...I just thread the headpiece through the ear holes on her sweet itch rug. She hasn't got it off yet and she manages to get every other muzzle off within minutes.
Got the greenguard head collar on with the extra strap, he just hooks it off over his ears. I've covered it with a fly mask on top, underneath. This morning I plaited his forelock over to hold the headpiece and he managed to force the guard under his chin somehow. Houdini!
 
Got the greenguard head collar on with the extra strap, he just hooks it off over his ears. I've covered it with a fly mask on top, underneath. This morning I plaited his forelock over to hold the headpiece and he managed to force the guard under his chin somehow. Houdini!

I think mine would get it off with just a fly mask covering it to be honest too. It's the sweet itch rug that seems to hold it in place so far. Though I won't speak too soon lol...
 
This seems to be standard with grazing nuzzles until their wee chins toughen up a bit ! It happened with the shires one my gelding had . I tried nappies and sanitary pads and everything I could think of to cushion it ! Haha . Also happened to a friend's horse who had the green guard . We managed to get hold of some very large plasters which had the silicone /skin type feel to the outside of them and that seemed to do the trick .
 
Top