Stable at night or grazing muzzle??

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Olliepoppy

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Hi does anyone have any thoughts on which is best to promote weight loss - stabling overnight with hay or the use of a grazing muzzle on 24/7 turnout? Thanks. Owner of a cob who has sniffed the grass and put on weight. Workload is slowly increasing but feel I need to do more...
 
There is less sugar in the grass at night so if i was going to stable and there were other horses in for company i would turn out at night and bring in during the day with a soaked hay net. I personally don't like muzzles and would rather turn out on a starvation paddock if you can seperate an area off. But if your horse tolerates a muzzle he will burn more energy if he can mooch about 24/7 so i guess you have to work out what suits your horse best and the facilities you have. I have always had coby types so understand the anguish of trying to keep them happy without them piling on the weight. We hang hay nets in the starvation paddock so they do have something to eat!
 
I have done both options and I found the pony was happier out with his chums with a green gaurd muzzle on 24/7. I didn't take the decision lightly to put on a muzzle 24/7 I spoke to two vets prior to to discuss the welfare of this option. I'd try both and see which the horse gets in with best. I'd give the horse a week to settle I to the muzzel. I would if leaving on invest in a good quality one such as a greengaurd as open around the sides.
 
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