Has anyone made the hole in their grazing muzzle bigger?

I made the hole bigger by using a stanley knife and cutting round the reinforced bit of the hole,( that doesn't make sense but if you have a muzzle you will know what I mean ),I did this after having pony standing all day by the gate not stretching and therefore aggravating a tight back!!!!!!!!!!! Even after making the hole bigger I had to tempt him with a handful of forbidden haylage to make him realise that he could eat through the muzzle, he is fine now, hope this is of help.
 
Yep I made the hole in my shires muzzle a bit bigger, because he couldn't eat at all when it was small. I just cut about half an inch around the hole with scissors.
 
The biggest issue with the using of a muzzle is the owner. If you leave the horse to it it will sort itself out. A shetland on our yard was put in a muzzle & within minutes was grazing happily. Some horses take a lot longer but impatient owners give in too readily & either remove the muzzle or decide to cut a bigger hole which defeats the whole object of it really.

Surely it's better to stick with the muzzle that allows the horse to stay out considerably longer with a far reduced risk of laminitus or just plain obesity than to bring them in after only an hour or so on grass.
 
no cause the idea is for them only to get tiny bits of grass, poppys still huge even wi hers on she's going onto restricted grazing now too
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
The biggest issue with the using of a muzzle is the owner. If you leave the horse to it it will sort itself out. A shetland on our yard was put in a muzzle & within minutes was grazing happily. Some horses take a lot longer but impatient owners give in too readily & either remove the muzzle or decide to cut a bigger hole which defeats the whole object of it really.

Surely it's better to stick with the muzzle that allows the horse to stay out considerably longer with a far reduced risk of laminitus or just plain obesity than to bring them in after only an hour or so on grass.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why so aggressive?

I've done everything you are supposed to. Introduced her to it slowly, given her grass through the hole, carrots etc, and she just can't manage it on her own.

How do you know I'm an "impatient owner". With the muzzle on, albeit with a bigger hole, she will still be restricted compared to no muzzle at all.

And who said anything about bringing her in after an hour on grass?!

I asked a specific question. If you don't have anything helpful to say then just don't say anything at all. It's called manners.
 
Yes, I made it a bit bigger as the hole was in the wrong place for her lips (bought a size bigger so it doesn't rub her, so the hole was too far towards her nostrils). I cut the bottom half of the reinforced bit off if that makes sense. The hole is still pretty small, but she is able to get bits through. It's now a kind of D shape.

I took her onto the lushest, most yummy (but fairly short) grass for half an hour when I first put it on her - it was tempting enough to get her to make the effort to work out how to use the muzzle. My mare is not overweight, but as she is competing regularly I use the muzzle on alternate days to help keep her in the right condition.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i just wondered i have a muzzle but when i put it on my horse just seems to keep sneezing.??

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine does this at first too - she did the same when I had a fly mask with a nose attachment. She stops doing it as soon as she's got her head down to graze though
smile.gif
 
I keep trying with my fatty, but he is really dense and just cannot manage to graze throught the hole at all, he just stands at the gate all day and sulks.

It can be very worrying for owners as some horses seem to get on fine with a muzzle and some just .......don't.

I do worry that if I persist relentlessly he may get colic.
Have know some horses to get this with muzzles.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The biggest issue with the using of a muzzle is the owner. If you leave the horse to it it will sort itself out. A shetland on our yard was put in a muzzle & within minutes was grazing happily. Some horses take a lot longer but impatient owners give in too readily & either remove the muzzle or decide to cut a bigger hole which defeats the whole object of it really.

Surely it's better to stick with the muzzle that allows the horse to stay out considerably longer with a far reduced risk of laminitus or just plain obesity than to bring them in after only an hour or so on grass.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why so aggressive?

I've done everything you are supposed to. Introduced her to it slowly, given her grass through the hole, carrots etc, and she just can't manage it on her own.

How do you know I'm an "impatient owner". With the muzzle on, albeit with a bigger hole, she will still be restricted compared to no muzzle at all.

And who said anything about bringing her in after an hour on grass?!

I asked a specific question. If you don't have anything helpful to say then just don't say anything at all. It's called manners.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dont think Toby was being agressive??
crazy.gif
confused.gif


I'd say the same thing as TZ. Whats the point in making the hole bigger?

What I always suggest is putting the muzzle on and walking away. Horses are incredibly manipulative when it comes to grazing muzzles
laugh.gif
Our old shettie would throw himself at my feet when a muzzle was put on, he'd have proper temper tantrums and do the whole 'I can't eat!' thing. I remember standing down on the yard out of his sight and almost crying with guilt...

I went home, and could still hear him whinnying.

I ignored him, and snuck back later and he was eating. Next day we went through it all again, and he continued doing it until he realised he couldnt guilt trip me into taking it off.

An hour to test it isnt enough, they need a whole day, and more. Believe me if they're hungry enough they WILL eat, usually after you've gone home.
 
THanks for your experience.

I think I will do what you said and leave her for a few hours and see how she gets on. Maybe she was having me on!

Here's my thinking about making the hole bigger:

If the regular size hole restricts grazing by 50 - 75%, then making the whole bigger might restrict grazing by say 25% - 50%. So not as effective, but better than letting her take huge mouthfuls of as much grass as she wants!
 
My mare found it difficult with the shire's muzzle and I was thinking about making the hole bigger.

Instead I bought the greenguard muzzle with halter and she seems to get along with this alot better.
 
I had the same hole and lips not lining up thing..... and did exactly the same thing..... just cut a little off... .not even beyond the reinforcement ring..

He now grazes happily in it as apposed to trying and trying and not getting anything process.

He cant take anymore than a nibble at a time and I just leave it on overnight instead of during the day, therefore he will lose roughly the same amount of weight
smile.gif
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top