Muzzles

[tobyiscool]

I'm considering putting a muzzle on my horse as he is rather overwight and lives out. What is the general protocol for doing so? how long should it be on for? should i just have it on at night? he has never had a muzzle on before, will it be a problem? Any help would be much appreciated.. thank you

 

[galaxy]

We muzzle some ponies 24/7. We use greenguard muzzles, they only restrict quantity consumed, don't stop.

It depends on how fat your pony is and how much weight needs to come off! I find that if you take it off at night etc, they gorge. I have also find, they catch on to you catching them to put the muzzle back on!

 

[tina_day56]

I would use a muzzle that allows partial grazing rather than stop it all together and would leave it on 24hrs but check very regularly to ensure its not rubbing etc. I have found that the ones that are out muzzled go looking for 'trouble' because they are bored and have nothing to do.

 

[vicksey]

I absolutely recommended muzzles 100%. I’ve tried strip grazing my fatty but he was so unhappy on his own (although he just only fenced off with electric fencing from the others it still affected him) I muzzle my boy over night and he comes in during the day when the grass is very long, as soon as the grass goes down he has the muzzle on during the day when the grass is richest and has it off over night. But if it’s not possible to bring your horses in for a bit then muzzling them 24/7 would be fine as long as they are regularly checked. Not nice thing to have to do but, better than laminitis etc. Just bear in mind that they cant mutual groom very well with the muzzle on or stretch their jaw as much, so a period with the muzzle off would be beneficial. Good Luck.!