Just put muzzle on....

[myhorsefred]

Put my greenguard muzzle on my rather stocky Welsh D earlier today. Stayed with him for about an hour while he got used to it in the field.

He couldn't seem to get the hang of getting any grass though. I feel so awful putting that on him. Do any of you struggle with guilt when muzzling your horse? I know it's kinder than risking laminitis etc, but I do feel mean.

Checked him again this evening and he very bolshy.

Do you think he'll work out how to use it?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

He'll be fine, felt bad putting a Green Guard on my mare and then quickly switched to a Shires one as once she got the hang of it, she still got too much grass through it!!!! Now I alternate betwwen the two.

 

[myhorsefred]

Thanks. Is the shires one the one that looks like a bucket (made from material though, not the hard plastic one?)

ta

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Yep that's the one. Has a hole in the bottom about the size of a 10p piece.

 

[myhorsefred]

ta
x

 

[itsme123]

The shires one IS better IMO. I've had ponies throw themselves on the floor at my feet in a temper tantrum because I've put a muzzle on them, and I had to go hide in the yard and try not to listen to the pitiful whinnying.

They get used to them within about a day or so.
I've not had one starve to death yet.

 

[sugarnspice]

He'll be fine

. When mine first had his on he was miserable, they soon snap out of it. Usually after you've left them for the day/night and they just have to get on with it!

 

[angiebaby]

Mine have worn the shires ones for years, they are so used to them, when they see me coming with it they just stand there; mind you I always put half a carrot in them!

 

[Angelbones]

Sorry to hijack your post! I've just got a Shires one and am unsure how to fit it - how much spare room do you leave below the horse's muzzle, eg between horse's muzzle and base of Shire's muzzle? Can you help? Many thanks

 

[angiebaby]

I leave a good two inches, mine are fairly loose fitting and have never rubbed even after three years. My Sec D can get his off by having a good roll

but he knows I will just put it back on again so has given up now!

 

[Silverspring]

I felt serious guilt, my Highland had a total strop about having the muzzle on and refused to eat for hours (the equivalent of a life time to a Highland) once he got over the strop and started trying to eat (his stomach was almost 25% empty and he was close to starvation!) he realised it really wsn't all that bad and it just took more effort to stay chubby. Alas he stayed chubby but not as chubby as he would have been without the muzzle

 

[JaneMBE]

Have just muzzled Magic, first time ever she has been really podgy

Enormous guilt feeling, especially as she stands at the gate looking sorrowfully at you.
It's on during the day, she gets schooled and now lunged daily, with one day off and a hack in between. Hopefully it will shift the excess sooner rather than later!
But it's the best thing for her as Herbie needs to maintain weight and even with a bit of rope between them he pines and won't eat, he is such a wuss.

 

[Gorgeous George]

when I first muzzled George he just stood in the field for 5 hrs and didn't even try, but soon got the hang of things but was quite stroppy for a few days! The down side is that he practically inhales his hay when he comes in! I tried the greenguard one but he seemed able to eat too much with it, so we're back to a shires.

 

[hellybelly6]

Ha ha ha I know what you mean about trying to get a Highland to diet.

Keep them away from food for 30 seconds and they think they are going to die of starvation!

 

[BigBird146]

My pony tries to blow his off when I put it on him, silly thing! I have to put it on and then run out of his way as he chases me round trying to rub it off on me!
I do feel a bit guilty, but now we've both got used to it I can live with myself! I put C's on during the day and then take it off after his tea, so he's out overnight without it... he's not overly fat just got to keep his intake of sugary grass down.

 

[jesterfaerie]

My pony has always had shire muzzles however the first one I bought him he stood in the field for the entire day looking so depressed and had no idea that he could actually still eat. I felt soooo guilty. Now he spends all day trying to get it off by rubbing it on me, the ground, other horses, you name it!

 

[merlinsquest]

I tried one on Merlin and couldnt stand the sorrow......

He kept putting his head down to eat and then walking a few paces and trying again, almost as if he thought the ground was made of rubber and another place would be better....

In the end he walked up to me and stood with his head on my chest practically crying...

I took it off and put it back in the bag

He isnt mega fat, just he is on 10 acres with just 2 other horses so there is tonnes of grass. I made him a smaller field and that suits him fine

Added bonus is that he no longer comes in covered in bites and kicks from the two pensioners he shares with

They can be mean these OAPs