small pony foal update - grazing muzzle 24 hrs?

[NeverSayNever]

my mini is currently in pony jail... having been convinced she was in foal as her weight wasnt dropping I had the vet out twice, trying to scan her and doing 2 lots of blood tests... result is bill of £173, and she isnt. Thank goodness really, there are enough small ponies in the world.

this was her

at the time she was in a bare paddock at the back of my house, adjoining another house.

I since moved her to my other field, a few hundred yards away along the road

this is sectioned off from a larger section Im strip grazing my Sec D in. since she has been in here a few weeks this is her now

the difference being? she is away from the adjoining house and them feeding her this after me having directly spoken to them on more than one occasion. Latterly when she was in the bare paddock and I looked out of the window to see neighbour and her visitor ripping up lush grass from the verge and feeding her. I actually went out and said, stop feeding that pony, she is fat enough.. to be told the friend was a 'horse expert' and my pony was clearly, undoubtedly in foal. I said, well if she is a horse expert she will know NOT to feed her.

Anyway, I digress Small pony is now doing very well, however any chance and she is out of the paddock lol, and I do feel bad for her. So I was wondering about grazing muzzles? The only thing is she would need to wear it 24/7 and Im not sure that is ok tbh.

 

[toffeeyummy]

Oh bless her. I'm not a fan of 24hr grazing muzzles but I think there is a place for them when turning out onto a big field so they can get some exercise. Is she being exercised at all? Can you take her for a walk or lunge her? Trouble is when they're in such a confined space is they just stand and eat that fresh air that they seem to live off!!!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Oh bless her. I'm not a fan of 24hr grazing muzzles but I think there is a place for them when turning out onto a big field so they can get some exercise. Is she being exercised at all? Can you take her for a walk or lunge her? Trouble is when they're in such a confined space is they just stand and eat that fresh air that they seem to live off!!!

thanks, yeh she does get 'some' exercise. Whenever I ride my big girl the 2 of them are led up the road to my house. Ive also started tacking her up and walking her in the field with my other horse. I cant take her away from my mare though as my mare goes nuts. I do have a couple of small jockeys wanting to come for pony rides in the field as well but that hasnt transpired yet.

 

[NeverSayNever]

bumpy?

 

[metalmare]

When I had my sec a in a grazing muzzle 24/7 it wasn't hugely effective. It was an expensive muzzle from a good brand, but even the best designs aren't foolproof - clever ponies learn how to eat lots through them.

 

[varkie]

In extreme situations, we have had to muzzle 24/7. It's no ideal, but it can work. Some ponies learn to eat round them or get them off, some are just utterly miserable. Only way you'll know is to try!

 

[tallyho!]

Well, they say not to wear it 24/7 but we have had no problems.

I might make you feel like a "cruel mummy", but once you find a decent non-rubbing model (dinky rugs?) the advantages are endless!!

1. restricted grazing
2. unrestricted wandering
3. increased exercise
4. increased social interaction (can still groom... sort of - ours still manage)
5. decreased risk of lami
6. decreased need for fencing
7. less worry
8. less weight
9. more life
10. more natural grazing rather than gorging for natives.

feel free to add your own...

 

[Nic]

Could you lunge her over some jumps? Being Jumping fit is the only thing that makes my ISH not look like he's pregnant!

 

[tallyho!]

Jumping is what engages those core muscles...

Maybe I should do some... now, where did I hide that skipping rope....