Horse can’t figure out grazing muzzle

[HaplessHorse]

So, I have two excellent doers and I selected two shires muzzles based on what I thought would work for them. Cob has a cushioned one to protect her delicate muzzle and Saus has a slightly less deep one so it’s less daunting for her.

I trained them both to accept muzzles and both are fine with me putting them on as long, as I shove a carrot through the hole afterwards.

Cob figured out her muzzle within a few mins, but she has worn one before. She’s happily nibbling away.

Saus on the other hand, is stood around looking confused. I’ve tried shoving grass through the hole, I’ve tried lowering her muzzle to the ground and feeding a carrot; she’s just not worked it out.

ETA: I’ve also tried her on various grass lengths as well, cob seems to find this one easiest as well.

Any tips? Do I just leave her to it? Or do I give up on it?
Dozy pony in question waiting for me to rescue her.

 

[ester]

Sometimes you need a sacrificial one you make the hole bigger on so they get used to eating with something round their nose.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

She'll figure it out. Just keep an eye on her.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Sometimes you need a sacrificial one you make the hole bigger on so they get used to eating with something round their nose.

Yup, agreed.
I had to do this for one.
Once they got the idea over a few days then I swapped over to new one but carried on for a few more days of 50/50 use till I was happy that fat mare was eating in new one.

 

[HaplessHorse]

Sometimes you need a sacrificial one you make the hole bigger on so they get used to eating with something round their nose.

To be fair, Saus doesn’t need to be as restricted at Erin so making the hole slightly larger wouldn’t hurt her. I might try that if she still hasn’t managed today.

She’s now following me around and waiting for me to take it off

ETA: she’s an expert guilt-tripper. And how much larger should I make the hole?

 

[smolmaus]

When you say less deep, what do you mean?

Is there definitely enough room for her to fully open her mouth with it on? I can fit a whole fist in between muzzle and closed jaw. I have seen some people seem to think they "fit" like a noseband with 2 fingers space so plz don't be offended I think you're silly by asking this, these are otherwise sensible people

 

[HaplessHorse]

I don’t mind at all, she’s a cob size headcollar but her muzzle is full size, I can fit a fist snugly between her and the muzzle. Cob has the same muzzle fit.

By less deep, I mean from the top of the white bit of the muzzle to the rubber bit at the bottom.

 

[Exasperated]

When you say less deep, what do you mean?

Is there definitely enough room for her to fully open her mouth with it on? I can fit a whole fist in between muzzle and closed jaw. I have seen some people seem to think they "fit" like a noseband with 2 fingers space so plz don't be offended I think you're silly by asking this, these are otherwise sensible people

This is right, far too many muzzles are fitted very close to the muzzle - if the horse even yawns, there’s insufficient room.
Personally, I use the largest size going in that type of muzzle (Best Friend do a good version), so it comes well up the face (less able to rub and drag the sides down), with plenty of room and airflow, wind the strap through the headpiece of a headcollar beneath.
Alternatively, the toothkind, soft plastic muzzle that fits onto a headcollar - Lite Bite? Never seen any reluctance, even with a very sensitive mare.
dribble some runny hunny and a few porridge oats on the grass, should sort it!

 

[Exasperated]

I don’t mind at all, she’s a cob size headcollar but her muzzle is full size, I can fit a fist snugly between her and the muzzle. Cob has the same muzzle fit.

By less deep, I mean from the top of the white bit of the muzzle to the rubber bit at the bottom.

See before, personally found that a larger size with higher sides that allow plenty of room within the muzzle, is nicer for the animal, and less likely to displace.

 

[smolmaus]

I don’t mind at all, she’s a cob size headcollar but her muzzle is full size, I can fit a fist snugly between her and the muzzle. Cob has the same muzzle fit.

By less deep, I mean from the top of the white bit of the muzzle to the rubber bit at the bottom.

Fab! Get you now. In that case rather than using a carrot to prove to her she can eat, can you use a handful of loose feed? Something she has to move to press her muzzle to the hole rather than something poking up through hole to her mouth, if you get me. I used a flat hand full of grass nuts.

 

[HaplessHorse]

She did put her nose down but she spooked at the grass poking through the muzzle. She then started very efficiently digging a hole in my field so I called her over, backed her up and fed her a handful of pony nuts through the muzzle. I then took it off and decided to call it quits for today. Luckily, it’s not particularly urgent for her.

See before, personally found that a larger size with higher sides that allow plenty of room within the muzzle, is nicer for the animal, and less likely to displace.

The muzzle has an even gap everywhere, including at the top so the depth is unlikely to have an effect. It’s not necessarily more stable, but it’s her preference.

I tried her in Cob’s (deeper) muzzle yesterday but she still had the same problem with it in terms of eating, but it took much longer to coax her into it because she wasn’t comfortable with “trapping” her head in a “bucket”. She also appeared worried and nervous whilst wearing it, whilst she seemed more content in her shallow muzzle.

 

[Exasperated]

She did put her nose down but she spooked at the grass poking through the muzzle. She then started very efficiently digging a hole in my field so I called her over, backed her up and fed her a handful of pony nuts through the muzzle. I then took it off and decided to call it quits for today. Luckily, it’s not particularly urgent for her.



The muzzle has an even gap everywhere, including at the top so the depth is unlikely to have an effect. It’s not necessarily more stable, but it’s her preference.

I tried her in Cob’s (deeper) muzzle yesterday but she still had the same problem with it in terms of eating, but it took much longer to coax her into it because she wasn’t comfortable with “trapping” her head in a “bucket”. She also appeared worried and nervous whilst wearing it, whilst she seemed more content in her shallow muzzle.

If the shorter one is preferred - great, just need her to agree to eat through it.
try the oats on the grass, feed some from your hand, lower it to the pile already on the ground. We’ve found honey is very tempting, but yours might have another favourite.