Muzzles

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Little-miss-perfect

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I've been trying to get my (fat) boy used to a muzzle. I've brought the shires bucket type, but he's got absolutly no idea how to put his head down and eat when it's on, he refuses to even try! He's quite happy for me to push bits of food through it for him! He just stands there shouting, then charges round trying to rub it off.

Has anyone had any better luck with the green guard type? I'm wondering if they might be better as they're not so enclosed......or would I just be wasting my money?

Thanks in advance for advise :)
 
How long have you been trying him with it on? Took mine about a week to even try & eat! He just stood looking all miserable
 
I have both the bucket type and the greenguard one. My pony would stand by the gate looking very pathetic and starved with the bucket one on. I went back a couple of hours later and he was grazing quite happily until I appeared then he went back to pleading starvation! He does get rubbed and hot in the bucket one.
The greenguard one works better, he seems happier to graze straight away (rather than hand around hoping I'll take pity on him!) and it doesn't appear to rub. Seems to allow more grass intake though possibly?
 
When we first started using muzzles, we made the hole in the bottom a bit bigger (making sure to file it down with sand paper so it was all smooth edges)

Also - what kind of grass is you boy on - if its long grass he will really struggle as the muzzle just flattens it down, you also need to make sure there is an inch or so between his mouth and the bottom of the muzzle so he can manipulate it.

Personally i never got on with the greenguard on my lot, but i know others who have...
 
Have been trying it for about 2 weeks on and off. The grass is short, as it's been sectioned off for him. I have made the hole abit bigger, but it's made no difference, he just stands there with his head in the air for about an hour shouting, then I give in and take it off!!
He seems very sweaty round his face/nose after, perhaps the the green guard would be better as he could breath easier??
 
I prefer the greenguard ones. The horses seem to get on with them much better, they don't rub and they last alot longer. Both pony and the horse can destroy the bucket type in a couple of days whereas the horse's greenguard is 6 yrs old and the pony has worn his 24/7 this year without damaging it or it rubbing him.
 
LynH said:
I prefer the greenguard ones. The horses seem to get on with them much better, they don't rub and they last alot longer. Both pony and the horse can destroy the bucket type in a couple of days whereas the horse's greenguard is 6 yrs old and the pony has worn his 24/7 this year without damaging it or it rubbing him.
Click to expand...

Do you use the greenguard headcollar with yours?

Thanks
 
My lives on fresh air cob is muzzled in a greenguard through the day and then best friend muzzle at night. He is a complete pro with the bucket muzzle and I pick handfuls of grass out in the morning, but it did take him a couple of days. He truly mastered it when I left him in it all day and he HAD to put in the effort to 'get it'. The greenguard he doesn't get on with quite as well but I prefer his nose to be free in the warmer hours and the bucket rubs his nostrils if left on 24/7. He only realised he could actually eat with the greenguard when I put him in a paddock with slightly longer grass and he got the hang of a woodpecker action to get the grass in:D

He can't be starving though as he still has a bit of belly:rolleyes:

My other pony is a master at the greenguard even with really short grass and HATED the bucket type muzzle.
 
My horse had the very same muzzle and also used to plead starvation when I was around pretending not to know how to eat with it on. Fortunately I had my spies on fat cobby who told me he eats perfectly fine with it on and he was just playing the sympathy card. I would continue with the bucket one!! I did buy sheepskin padding for mine to stop it rubbing but it did take a while before he realised I wasn't going to take it off, really helped his waistline too!! X x
 
I've tried Greenguard, Shires and Roma. Greenguard - forget it...a hungry cob will find a way to get it off ! Sold it on ebay for a small fortune.;)

He is currently sporting his Roma, having just broken the Shires (after a long time I add). He has sheepskin lining velcroed under his chin, and he accepts it totally now - after a lami scare last year, there is no way he will go out without one. You can use surgical spirit to toughen skin (but NOt if it's cut or sore).

I fed grass thru the hole for him, and carrots, and he soon got the hang of it - and drinking too. His weight this year is better than ever (he's in at night), compared to his field mate who is muzzle less.
 
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