Muzzling a TB for behaviour?

[Footlights]

My horse been in the new field for almost 3 weeks now, and the grass has sent him completely loopy. I thought he would have settled down by now but he hasn't. He has put on a a fair amount of condition since being in the new field and think he is about the right weight now - just needs muscling up. I am finding it hard to feed supplements such as Magnesium Oxide as he is fussy anyway, and he is obviously so stuffed full of grass he is not really that interested in hard feed right now.

I am considering muzzling him during the day. I know there are muzzled TBs out there, but just think I am mad to even consider it, but I just can't deal with his behaviour at the moment. He can't stand still for 2 minutes, and is prancing and leaping about like an idiot. He spooked the other day, spun around and kicked out - clipping my elbow and cutting/bruising me quite badly.

I would be muzzling him for his behaviour rather than his weight - is this the wrong thing to do? Are there any other options?

 

[Dab]

Other potential options;

1. strip graze
2. Out at night in during the day with hay
3. Up his work
4. If he is a fussy eater look at ulcers - can cause behavioural problems

 

[Tammytoo]

The only reason to muzzle is to cut down grass intake. I can't see how putting on a muzzle would improve behaviour, he isn't a dog!

Feeding Magnesium Oxide is a good idea as the grass is lacking in magnesium when it is growing so fast, so how about mixing it in with a bit of apple sauce and a small handful of chop?

Plenty of excercise and no hard feed!

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

Agree with everything Dab suggested. Muzzling for his behaviour? Sorry, don't get that at all. Would do you think it will teach him exactly?

 

[merry mischief]

I think op means muzzle him to reduce his intake of rich grass and therefore reduce energy and improve behaviour?

 

[Capriole]

I think op means muzzle him to reduce his intake of rich grass and therefore reduce energy and improve behaviour?

Thats how Ive read it too.

Too much grass is making him loopy = restrict grass hoping for less loopy-ness...

 

[Firewell]

You could do! Its sounds like the sugars in the grass are making him la la, did you know good grass has more omph in it than racehorse mix .
The grass at our yard is lethal. They also get really bloated on it and it gives them sloppy green cowpats so their tums can't be that comfortable on it!
Mine comes in during the day with soaked hay. I also give him pink powder in some chaff to help soothe his stomach. *Touch wood* I haven't had any naughty grass antics this year and he's been as good as gold *touches wood madly!!*.

 

[Fantasy_World]

Personally I would always see muzzling as a last resort especially if horses are turned out together. Horses are social animals and like to interact with others who they befriend and sticking a contraption on their face which disables their ability to sniff, groom or nuzzle each other is a real bug bear of mine.
Like others have said, consider strip grazing instead or else bring in during the day and out at night when the sugars in the grass are lower.
Otherwise consider upping his exercise levels to either more ridden work, or lunge to burn off extra energy.
Failing that ask the yard owner if they have a 'fatty' paddock and turn out in there instead or else consider moving to a yard which has poorer grass or you can restrict the grazing.

 

[JingleTingle]

Thats how Ive read it too.

Too much grass is making him loopy = restrict grass hoping for less loopy-ness...

Exactly how I read it - do wish people would read, digest and then answer instead of leaping in with aggressive answers that just dont make sense if you have actually READ the OPs question?

OP I feed magnesium but not exactly to counteract the grass, more as an all round precaution anyway, as 95 per cent of UK grazing is totally unsuited to horses.

I have to say that the idea of muzzling to restrict because of the behaviour problems caused by too much rich grazing is a novel one...but frankly I cant see why it isnt worth a shot? If the grass is fizzing the horse up then dont let the horse have so much? Makes sense surely? And if you can do that by muzzling and still allowing turn out with his herd companions then it has to be worth a try?

If you do go down this route, I for one, would be very interested to hear how it works out for you.

 

[Footlights]

Thanks to everyone who read my post properly! I too see muzzling as a last resort, that's why I was interested in hearing what else I could try before that. I'm going to up his exercise and if no improvement then I will seriously consider muzzling. I would rather he was with his herd mates and muzzled than in a paddock by himself.