I just bought my first cob! Introduction + feed advice + photos!

[Muddy unicorn]

They look great! I would be very interested if you do start selling them as retired boy has such ridiculously sensitive skin - he got rubbed raw by the flexible filly even with the head collar padded up as much as it could be.

 

[teacups]

The hay delivery via app would be great. I have wondered how something like that could be done…

 

[Nasicus]

Another who would love to buy and give it a go! Finding a muzzle that doesn't rub my mare is a nightmare!

 

[Surbie]

What a fabulous chap you've found! They look great.

Is there any chance of them eating out of the sides? My neighbour's clydie has eating out of the side of the flexible filly down to a fine art.

Her owner and I both find it really hard to find muzzles big enough for our horses - the FF XFull isn't quite big enough and if there is a chance NP might make them in mahoosive I'd absolutely love to give them a go.

 

[rabatsa]

I can see a lot of donkey owners would be interested in these muzzles.

 

[Red-1]

The hay delivery via app would be great. I have wondered how something like that could be done…

We have a working model at the factory but not installed yet. He did it because we can only go out for 6 hours at a time in winter, as Rigs needs regular hay nets as he is on such a diet. I have done it so the actual net falls from the eaves, as we have eves and Rigs would not be startled by such an occurrence. The device could be adapted to open a trough or drop feed into a container though.

As NP was only designing it so we could have more and longer days out, at present the design is specifically for Rigs and his stable. NP has a fabrication factory so it can be easily made. Most times, I broach a problem and within 48 hours a solution has been made for me.

 

[Red-1]

What a fabulous chap you've found! They look great.

Is there any chance of them eating out of the sides? My neighbour's clydie has eating out of the side of the flexible filly down to a fine art.

Her owner and I both find it really hard to find muzzles big enough for our horses - the FF XFull isn't quite big enough and if there is a chance NP might make them in mahoosive I'd absolutely love to give them a go.

Rigs is out in it right now and he can get out of all sorts! Been out 4 hours and just checked and all good.

Interestingly, he'd started with his cough and always coughs when the muzzle first goes on, and today was one single cough and then nothing.

As for size, he could do any size really easily. They have a computer that sizes are entered into and a machine cuts it. The first one had a hole for eating slightly too small, and I asked for it to be bigger. It was a job that took seconds.

I reckon people could get a field safe halter and measure one side to the other round the muzzle and they could be bespoke for size and hole width really easily.

NP has a proper plastics fabrication factory but hasn't been into horses before, so hasn't done horse things. I have shown him some things in plastic that I have bought, and shown him the price, and he has gasped and instantly made design improvements....

I am trying to think of other things that could be made. He's already done a mounting block, circles to go round the trees to fill with membrane/stones to avoid so much strimming, a water trough with ballcock, is mid way through his first hay soaker... Is on with some free standing fillers too.

Anyone any ideas as to what else the horse world is lacking

 

[Red-1]

I can see a lot of donkey owners would be interested in these muzzles.

I wouldn't know what size a donkey would need, but I guess people could measure the distance over the muzzle from side to side to their field halter, and a circumference.

 

[SEL]

I have just spent £200 (got stung for import duty) on a muzzle for the fat Appy that will let her breath. It's already rubbing.

I will happily pay to try one of these Red

 

[paddy555]

I am trying to think of other things that could be made. He's already done a mounting block, circles to go round the trees to fill with membrane/stones to avoid so much strimming, a water trough with ballcock, is mid way through his first hay soaker... Is on with some free standing fillers too.

Anyone any ideas as to what else the horse world is lacking

a means of feeding wet hay or horsehage slowly. (Things like an easigrazer say they are not for HH).
So no small net as I hate the pull on the horse's neck, horse positioned with nose pointing downwards and eating downward. Fixable to a wall or it would get destroyed being dragged around the stable.

All very easy to design in theory but small holes to slow the eating won't let the forage thro and larger holes and they just gobble. Aso if they pull a larger amount through (as wet hay doesn't separate as dry does) it would be very easy to pull the "hole grid" out

perhaps there is already something on the market and I am missing it?

 

[Tarragon]

I think that a green or sandy coloured grazing muzzle would be best - and a bright pink one for the Houdini pony owners who need to be able to spot it at the other side of the field!
I love how your life has been turned around

 

[callybbi]

Please make a shetland size one if you go ahead. I would be very interested x

 

[paddy555]

- and a bright pink one for the Houdini pony owners who need to be able to spot it at the other side of the field!

yes the brightest colour possible, orange possibly as orange hi vis really stands out or bright yellow. You don't want to have to keep walking across the field to check it is still in place.

 

[Red-1]

I just told him that people on here also liked the design. Apparently, he could go into full production on Minday with the current one, which fits Rigs, who is usually a Full, and also BH, who is a bit bigger than a standard Full. He also did an XF, which a friend is taking to try today. Productgion could start immediately with cream or black. I am ordering a cream for Rigs, with black for BH, so I can see at a glance that they are still in place.

Rigs just came in after 6 hours, no rubs and it was still in place - and Rigs is a Houdini!!!

NP is asking what he should charge?

 

[Tarragon]

How exciting is that!

 

[IrishMilo]

Anyone any ideas as to what else the horse world is lacking

Affordable plastic jumps!

 

[ycbm]

I just told him that people on here also liked the design. Apparently, he could go into full production on Minday with the current one, which fits Rigs, who is usually a Full, and also BH, who is a bit bigger than a standard Full. He also did an XF, which a friend is taking to try today. Productgion could start immediately with cream or black. I am ordering a cream for Rigs, with black for BH, so I can see at a glance that they are still in place.

Rigs just came in after 6 hours, no rubs and it was still in place - and Rigs is a Houdini!!!

NP is asking what he should charge?

£50 much less than a Flexible Fillies that doesn't last , about the same as a Greenguard. That rubs badly. Supply with cable ties and spares.
.

 

[Tarragon]

I would love plastic cavaletti - so versatile!

 

[SEL]

Foldable mounting blocks for the lorry please.

I'm not sure what the green guard retails at but if he can undercut that then I think you'd have a market quickly.

 

[Pippity]

yes the brightest colour possible, orange possibly as orange hi vis really stands out or bright yellow. You don't want to have to keep walking across the field to check it is still in place.

I was coming to say this! (Also, most of Blue's stuff is orange, so it would be nice to have it matchy-matchy!)

 

[Clodagh]

But first get the muzzles patented. They look fabulous.

 

[Pippity]

Foldable mounting blocks for the lorry please.

I'm not sure what the green guard retails at but if he can undercut that then I think you'd have a market quickly.

I use a three-step stepladder when out and about. Costs pennies, weighs nothing.

NP's design looks quite similar to Flexible Fillies, so just need to worry about undercutting those. Which isn't hard!

 

[teacups]

We have a working model at the factory but not installed yet. He did it because we can only go out for 6 hours at a time in winter, as Rigs needs regular hay nets as he is on such a diet. I have done it so the actual net falls from the eaves, as we have eves and Rigs would not be startled by such an occurrence. The device could be adapted to open a trough or drop feed into a container though.

As NP was only designing it so we could have more and longer days out, at present the design is specifically for Rigs and his stable. NP has a fabrication factory so it can be easily made. Most times, I broach a problem and within 48 hours a solution has been made for me.

I have a similar problem with my horse - and wondering how to make things easier for potential house/horse sitters, too.

Where does your net rest whilst in the eaves, though? Mine would not mind it dropping, but might well be very frustrated by a net up there, in full sight, which he could not quite reach <g> plus it would have to be quite high: how to get the net up there? Is this based on a pulley system?

I think it must be quite a lot of fun to have a fabrication factory, and therefore be in the position that you can have ideas which you can easily make working models for! I'm leaving aside al the hard work involved in getting yourself a fabrication factory ; P

Looking at those prices for muzzles, which cannot cost very much to make: suspect you and he could be breaking into the equestrian market shortly!

 

[ycbm]

NP has a proper plastics fabrication factory but hasn't been into horses before, so hasn't done horse things. I have shown him some things in plastic that I have bought, and shown him the price, and he has gasped and instantly made design improvements....

I am trying to think of other things that could be made. He's already done a mounting block, circles to go round the trees to fill with membrane/stones to avoid so much strimming, a water trough with ballcock, is mid way through his first hay soaker... Is on with some free standing fillers too.

Anyone any ideas as to what else the horse world is lacking

I'm beginning to see what you see in him
.

 

[ycbm]

Next product, a ground level feed trickle hay feeder with easy loading for use indoors or out that doesn't cost hundreds of pounds. The one I wanted to buy was £400, as I recall.
.

 

[Cloball]

My equine innovation ideas revolve around an industrial pellet maker rather than plastic unfortunately. I have forked out for a hay cube though as I wanted to make sure the plastic was horse safe rather than do a DIY bodge that might get a kick/foot stuck.

How fascinating and useful @Red-1 dream team! I have always wondered how much cross pollination (for want of a better word) goes on in the equine industry. It's funny how some areas can be so insular.

 

[Pippity]

Next product, a ground level feed trickle hay feeder with easy loading for use indoors or out that doesn't cost hundreds of pounds. The one I wanted to buy was £400, as I recall.
.

Can it also be used for soaking hay, please?

 

[ycbm]

Plastic nurdle bedding that can be washed through and reused?
.

 

[stangs]

Plastic nurdle bedding that can be washed through and reused?
.

Great idea. If there’s one thing the world needs, it’s definitely more plastic nurdles…

Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of

Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous

www.theguardian.com

The massive, unregulated source of plastic pollution you’ve probably never heard of

"We’re making these nurdles and basically spilling oil, just in a different form."

www.vox.com

 

[Red-1]

I have a similar problem with my horse - and wondering how to make things easier for potential house/horse sitters, too.

Where does your net rest whilst in the eaves, though? Mine would not mind it dropping, but might well be very frustrated by a net up there, in full sight, which he could not quite reach <g> plus it would have to be quite high: how to get the net up there? Is this based on a pulley system?

I think it must be quite a lot of fun to have a fabrication factory, and therefore be in the position that you can have ideas which you can easily make working models for! I'm leaving aside al the hard work involved in getting yourself a fabrication factory ; P

Looking at those prices for muzzles, which cannot cost very much to make: suspect you and he could be breaking into the equestrian market shortly!

Cream one (well, 20) being made on Monday for Rigsby, photos Tuesday, think marketing will start on Wednesday

They were both out for a full day with the muzzles yesterday, all secure, no rubs. 2 very different types / sizes of horse too. BH rubs easily, Rigs is a Houdini and all is good.

NP says people can have each one as a standard or bespoke, if someone orders and it is wrong, they can send it back and he'll cut another bigger/smaller etc.

He never was interested in horses before. I think the cow hat cover and a ride to the pub has won the day!

Yes, the height is still to be worked on. The delivery system is working, we now have wi-fi to the stables so it can be done remotely. It could equally be put on a shelf with a pin holding it, and the shelf open in the middle to drop hay. I prefer the trickle nets though, so yes, probs a pulley system.

The horse things have just been a hobby for my own horses. It is just that the muzzles are literally the best I have seen and I think a lot of horses will benefit.