Is there such a thing as a riding grazing muzzle?

I deal with sideways and up through the reins and my riding. If my old darling Connie tried to eat, I shortened the reins up really firm and tight for six steps
I havent needed to do it much with current share as someone else must have trained her.
 
If a horse is truly obsessed with food due to a medical condition, I think it sounds sensible to try to see if there's something which might help both the rider and horse have a more relaxing ride, due to the temptations simply being out of reach for the horse. There's no harm in trying, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
 
How about a nose bag like you’d feed from? You can get mesh ones so should be breathable


IMG_4490.jpg
Or if not a muzzle like this might be a bit less clunky

www.redpostequestrian.co.uk

Ekkia Nylon Grazing Muzzle Nosebag - Black

Adjustable, well ventilated and washable, the Ekkia Nylon Grazing Muzzle helps to provide a controlled intake of grass, making it a great aid for weight management.
www.redpostequestrian.co.uk
 
greasedweasel said:
Similar to the Cannock Chase horses -

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Do you speak to Alison with Paloma? She rides in a muzzle and might have tried and tested solutions.
Click to expand...
I did. She made a version of the Munch and Done - she's really handy with a sewing machine. She told me she has exactly the same food grabbing issue with Paloma (Paloma is my mare Bird's older half sister for anyone else wondering what we are on about)
Skib said:
I deal with sideways and up through the reins and my riding. If my old darling Connie tried to eat, I shortened the reins up really firm and tight for six steps
I havent needed to do it much with current share as someone else must have trained her.
Click to expand...
Believe me, I have tried everything, but it is a constant battle. I did 8 km today, most of it through woods on narrow (single file) paths with encroaching undergrowth, tall sedges, overhanging branches. I corrected her every time she snatched...perhaps a hundred times, probably more. I sent her on in trot wherever it was safe after she snatched. Honestly though, it takes all the fun out of it and it's not safe. I'm an experienced rider, and I've cured this in a previous horse, but she's single minded and very clever. She's weighed it up and grabbing food is, for her, worth the agro she gets. I need to take the option off the table!
 
Landcruiser said:
It probably would but I'm ethically opposed to strapping mouths shut.
Click to expand...

Honestly not a fan of it either but it might be safer and easier than the issues you're dealing with now? And it wouldn't have to be particularly tight, just enough for her not to grab snacks.
 
 
meandmyself said:
I'm not a fan of strapping the mouth closed but I wonder if a flash would discourage her?
Click to expand...
I have one that will try similar, to a much lesser extent though luckily! Mines fine being ridden in general but the second we stop on the side to let traffic through or whatever he is grabbing whatever he can get! He also go's upright or at weird angles which make it oddly difficult to prevent, I have often commented its like being a small child on a pony again!
He can still give it a good go in a grackle so I'd say a flash may not stop it eather.
 
An alternative to some sort of net might be a 'device' if you aren't totally opposed to them - I am thinking a market harborough or draw reins, not obviously to be used to pull her head in/down but to give your hands support when she snatches upwards or sideways. Although both, especially draw reins, attract a lot of negativity I have found them to be useful in behavioural situations (e.g. I recently brought my young and quite spooky horse into work by hacking in draw reins. I have an injured shoulder and didn't want a sideways spook to pull at me).
 
Abacus said:
An alternative to some sort of net might be a 'device' if you aren't totally opposed to them - I am thinking a market harborough or draw reins, not obviously to be used to pull her head in/down but to give your hands support when she snatches upwards or sideways. Although both, especially draw reins, attract a lot of negativity I have found them to be useful in behavioural situations (e.g. I recently brought my young and quite spooky horse into work by hacking in draw reins. I have an injured shoulder and didn't want a sideways spook to pull at me).
Click to expand...
Again, it's not that I can't get her back, I can. I'm relatively strong, and wear very grippy gloves. I just get so fed up of it, it's driving me bonkers! I can often pre-empt, and a twitch of my fingers is enough, but there is just SO much temptation for her at face level that it's a constant issue on the narrow paths.
 
Landcruiser said:
Again, it's not that I can't get her back, I can. I'm relatively strong, and wear very grippy gloves. I just get so fed up of it, it's driving me bonkers! I can often pre-empt, and a twitch of my fingers is enough, but there is just SO much temptation for her at face level that it's a constant issue on the narrow paths.
Click to expand...
For me it's not so much getting them back, more that with the aid in place they can't pull through it like they can my hands. She probably could if determined enough!
 
Google nose bag - loads of suggestions come up which depending on size might work, especially if the more tradition nose net bucket type is no longer being made
 
Update!! I have a temporary fix and a potential permanent fix. My friend who has Bird’s sister is going to look out the template for the muzzle she made based on the US Munch and Done. Meanwhile, yesterday I tried the Greenguard muzzle which was a fail, tried in the arena. It was too rigid and wide, taking the reins too far off her. Abandoned instantly.

Today I tried a cheap and cheerful velcro on muzzle which I had forgotten was detachable from the fieldsafe headcollar it was living on. Success!! She was very cross at first as I led her out, snorting, head tossing, barging. (She’s worn this muzzle perfectly happily for turnout before). Once she settled a bit I got on and off we went into the woods. She tried some grabs and was furious all over again but I sent her on and after a while she gave it up. She was then a different horse. Much spookier than normal, oddly. I suspect she suddenly saw the whole place with new eyes - not a running buffet but an actual wood with dappled shade, deer, birds, squirrels.. she’s usually too distracted to notice but today she was on high alert, but massively more attentive to me and to where she was putting her feet. I even tried a very narrow, winding and overgrown path with very low branches that cuts out a section of road and ends at our back garden gate. I can’t generally even lead her down it without massive stress and fights, never mind ride. Came through our gate with a grin on my face and a relatively relaxed pony with her ears pricked. Happy bloody days😬
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6298.jpeg
    IMG_6298.jpeg
    150.7 KB · Views: 101
  • IMG_6306.jpeg
    IMG_6306.jpeg
    233.5 KB · Views: 78
  • IMG_6300.jpeg
    IMG_6300.jpeg
    225 KB · Views: 100
It sounds like you've solved the problem, but I do have a Munch n Done and can definitely recommend it.
Landcruiser said:
I did also find this, exactly the sort of think I'm after, but it doesn't seem to be available in the UK. I am not a maker, sadly..Thanks anyway!
Click to expand...
They do ship internationally! I remember because I was going to order a different version from them, but eventually ended up modifying mine instead - the one I had didn't have a noseband loop.

I picked mine up used, just on speculation, and I love it. I've used it on two overweight horses that I was getting back into shape, both of whom were always desperate to grab a snack - and a similar situation to yours. Currently a bunch of places where we hack have grass that comes up EXACTLY to pony mouth height....

It can't stop them grazing entirely, as if they're stationary and grazing on the ground they can use a lip twitch and sideways shuffle to get it wonky enough that they can graze, and it does NOT take them long to figure this out. But it works wonderfully for stopping snatching, and once they realize what it does, they do stop fighting as much to graze.

I haven't used mine for a very long time yet, but it does seem very well made.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top