Strip grazing vs grazing muzzle

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laura_nash

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Just approaching my first summer with my new horse (got him last October). He was seriously overweight , but the weight is steadily coming off with exercise and a sensible diet.

The thing is, I'm not sure what is best when the grass really starts growing. I can strip-graze at the yard he's at, but the grass is pretty good so he might end up in a section not much bigger than his stable to reduce his intake sufficiently. Seems a bit unfair to restrict his movement, he's not on that big a paddock anyway.

He wouldn't be bothered by having a grazing muzzle put on (he's not at all head shy), but may get a bit frustrated by it's presence - he took some time to come to terms with small hole haynets and really kicks his treat ball about.

What are people's experiences with grazing muzzles, I've never known a horse that had one?
 
My shettie hates his and spends all his time rolling and rubbing his head on things trying to get it off! But one of the horses at work that wears one is not at all bothered by it. He just sighes deeply when i put it on, and goes about his business.
 
our little pony spends some time in the starvation paddock, or goes in the big field for a few hours only. if he goes in the big field for most of the day, he has to wear his muzzle, he doesnt like it to be put on- has a bit of a fight, he then comes running to us to take it ouff when we go to get him in (doesnt come if without muzzle). I don't really like them, but he does need restricted grazing. We use a fabric one so that is doesnt rub.
 
My horse has always been absolutely fine with his grazing muzzle. I have the shires one and I cut the hole a little bigger, to allow him to eat a bit more. Never had any problems and IMO it helps to keep his weight down brilliantly.
 
Every time ive used a muzzle on my horse he didn't understand how it worked so would just stand there feeling sorry for himself
 
Well, I have just bought myself a native for a companion and I bought her a muzzle today, black shires one. She was confused when I put it on today, then got it off (ponies) so I brought her back in put it back on and put the headcoller over it. Will see what happens if it works tomorrow am. I think they are a tad cruel, however so is lammi and so is restricted movement. Mentally, she is better out with grazing muzzle with Dougal and a field that appears full off grass, than in a starvation paddock which both she and Dougal would hate. I may try making hole a bit bigger tomorrow like DG does tomorrow but she seems to be getting the hang of it now though they have both gone of down the hill and I cant see them properly in gloom.
 
Neither. Use the "Racetrack" system, heaps better.
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Strip grazing seems kinder than the grazing muzzle.
My fellow hate the muzzle and just stands in one spot sulking for the whole time its on, either that or he is too dim to work out how to use it - have given him loads of lessons.
Strip grazing is fine if the grass is not too long and rich otherwise you have to put them in such a small section you end up restricting movement.
I strip graze Jack but I may try cutting a bigger hole in the muzzle to give him some incentive.
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I use grazing muzzles.
The grazing would have to be restricted to the size of a stable with the spring grass coming through.
With muzzles they can be on any size field and exercise them selves.
 
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strip grazing .my boy hates the muzzle and it is not natural for them!

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As opposed to restricting them to a tiny area when horses would normally roam over several kilometers in a day, much more natural!

OP - either is fine, depends what works for you and your horse and the yard you are on. The end result will be broadly the same whichever you use.
 
Can you fence off a track which runs around the perimeter of the field. He will soon eat it down (or you could put some others in with him to help). That way he gets to move around and you get to restrict his intake. I do this with my fatties at home. Occasionally I'll let them in the middle for an hour or so depending on their weight, fo a treat
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My ex Laminitic has a muzzle, would much rather him roam around than be cooped up in a tiny paddock. Muzzle has saved him.
Would also like to point out that stressed/eaten down grass is just as bad as lush long grass.
 
My pony goes out in the big field everyday with a plastic muzzle on. She is quite happy and manages to eat a liitle. She is much happier in a large area with her firiends than in a small area.
 
Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.

Unfortunately the track idea is out owing to the shape of the field (long and thin) and I would need to buy masses of extra electric fencing.

I may try him in a muzzle and see how he reacts. I doubt it would take him long to figure out how to eat in it (he's the type that rapidly works out how to take lids off / open bags etc, especially if there is food inside). It's just whether he would accept it, or fight it and try and take it off all the time.
 
I use a muzzle for my fattie so she can still go out with her friends. I sort of prefer the idea of it too, as it means there is always a constant level of grass (ie as much as she can squeeze through the hole), rather than loads of grass each time the strip is moved and then hardly any once she has eaten it off. I'm not sure if this is actually a problem, but in my head it seems better to use a muzzle for this reason.
I did discuss these options with my farrier the other day and he was horrified with the idea of strip grazing, as he said that efficient blood supply from walking around is essential for laminitic's feet. He is pretty old fashioned though...
But yeah, muzzle for me just cos it suits my yard and my horse.
 
the reason i strip grazzing and not muzzle coz it is naturall is because i use my other horse to eat the field down first then he can go on and strip graze put he starts of on about an half acre so he his not in a little stuffy field he can not move in i know they need to walk around the field coz this burns calories as well thats why i but his water bucket at the farest point of the field so he has to walk to that aswell!
 
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