Keeping fatties out 24/7?

Yes, I think that may end up being the best compromise. I just feel sorry for him not being able to interact and mooch around with his buddies! Thanks for replying :)
 
DubbleTrubble said:
I understand muzzles shouldn't be used 24/7
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Why don't you think they can be used 24/7? - if they are well fitted and checked at least a couple of times a day (as you would check on a horse anyway) there's no problem with 24/7.

I know a horse that is very happy who wears one 24/7 from March to October - without any problems - only thing that works for this particular horse.
 
I did some research on line and although it seems lots of people do muzzle 24 hours a day, most of the advice from manufacturers was not to use them for more than 12 hours a day? :confused:
 
Mine is out 24/7. Feild is on a hill with stables at the top that they have access to and water is at the top. So he walks up and down the hill many times a day. we are about to switch to summer feild next door but they will still have acess to the yard. He will be muzzled during the day for a few months at least. And worked most days. Restricting his movment is the last option as he is older and i would prefer he has space to move and stretch. As with everything to do with horses ... 'what works for one wont work for another'.... Only you know what is best for your pony!
 
DubbleTrubble said:
I'm going to have to change my fatties routine as the current 24/7 turnout is too much for him, even with me trying to ride his legs down to stumps five times a week :p

Those that use a bare paddock or keep their fatties stabled, are they kept this way on their own? That's my only concern with doing this, my fatso would be on his own if I started bringing him in at night or putting him in a bare paddock, as his companions (owned by other people) are not lard arses and so can enjoy acres of 24/7 turnout. :confused: He calls and box walks when he's in on his own (at least it would use up some fat I guess! :p )

I understand muzzles shouldn't be used 24/7 so my plan is to muzzle during the day in the big area of grazing with his buddies and then bring him in or transfer to a bare paddock at night, but he would then be on his own overnight which won't be much fun for him. Has anyone else had the same and found a solution? :)
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He is in a sectioned off bit of the field with other horses all around. They still groom each other over the electric fence (carefully!!).
 
DubbleTrubble said:
I did some research on line and although it seems lots of people do muzzle 24 hours a day, most of the advice from manufacturers was not to use them for more than 12 hours a day? :confused:
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Did they explain why? genuine question, he's been in this routine for 2 years no issue so I wonder what they think the problem could be?
Without the muzzle he'd have to be stabled the other 12 hours - which would IMHO be more detrimental to his welfare/ happiness.
 
I've just got my Shires grazing muzzle today, and on the tag it says :

"Muzzles are designed to be used as part of an overall weight management program or for clinical purposes and are not intended to be used 24/7. They should only be worn for part of the day."

It doesn't say why though!:rolleyes:
 
DubbleTrubble said:
I've just got my Shires grazing muzzle today, and on the tag it says :

"Muzzles are designed to be used as part of an overall weight management program or for clinical purposes and are not intended to be used 24/7. They should only be worn for part of the day."

It doesn't say why though!:rolleyes:
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Maybe because if you leave it on all the time it will start to rub. Even if it's a good fit; or because a horse restricted all the time may struggle to get the required nutrition??
 
Rhodders said:
My haffy will stuff himself stupid given the opportunity, I've tried everything over the years, in during the day, out at night, muzzle, soaked hay, riding the hell out of him. This year I managed everything differently, I let them all into the spring paddock just before the grass started to grow so they only had last autumns low cal grass. They stuffed it all in a couple of weeks and are now on basically 2.5 acres of starvation paddock. So far I have no weight gain, I've had a few escaping issues due to the fact they think the grass is greener everywhere else, but much fencing later they are all looking great.
Don't really know why I didn't think of it earlier, they have grass but are probably eating a similar amount that they would when muzzled.
Early days, but if the fencing holds I think I may have found the way forward
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This is exactly what I did this year, however they are in during the day on soaked hay and lots of it and then out on during the night on a paddock already grazed down, I just keep making sure that the grass is not growing more than they can eat so it does not have a chance to get long, I know all about stressed grass and fructans but if its short they cant eat that much. So far so good.
 
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