Talk to me about Muzzles please :)

K

katymay

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2012
Messages
576
Visit site
just thinking ahead for the spring when the ponies move to their summer paddock, one has lami issues so is kept on restricted grazing, he isnt our pony so when he moves to the summer paddock his owner will want to take back the responsibility and I expect she will just keep him limited to a small bare patch.
the other one is ours, he is a very overweight dartmoor and ive had him on a diet since I got him, his weight is coming off albeit slowly!
I know the mintue he even looks at a blade of grass he will get fat so will definately be looking at a muzzle for him!
I have one, not sure of the make but its got a label on called Dinky?
I like the look of the green gaurd ones but they do look as if they would let him eat too much grass at any one time?
so what are your tried and tested methods for controlling intake during the growing months? I didnt really want to restrict him to a tiny bare patch and a track system is something I might look into but would have to speak to the field owner about whether she would be happy for her little one to go onto that too!
thank you, im dreading the growing season already!
kate
 
Problem is that I don't think the grass has actually stopped growing. Its mild here and what with all the rain - the green stuff is growing!
 
I always use a shires muzzle, (the webbing ones) as they work the best.

Along with controlling grass intake you need to make sure they're in good work. I'd recommend lungeing or long lining and make them WORK. A good pace of walk or trot is excellent and will burn those lbs. Aim for three or four ten minute stints a week (five minutes on each rein) and a track system in the field.
 
My shetland suffered terrible rubbjng with hers this summer so i bought a cob sized one and sewed the pony head band onto it with fleece around the edge. She ran loose with the big boys from sept and she seems far happier as a result. Id go with the muzzle over bare paddock in a heartbeat now. I just plait the top of her mane around the muzzle so she cant pull it off, clever beggar that she is :)
 
I have used a Greenguard grazing muzzle with the halter for my mare for the last 3 years and she has stayed at a steady weight, she's still wearing it as the grass hasn't stopped growing here. Also her management is strict, she gets weighed & soaked hay, stabled at night and exercised every day.
 
I use the Shires. It does rub at the start but then the skin hardens and it stops rubbing. Muzzle and a good excercise programme kept my girl slim.
 
Thank you all,

I guess it might be a case of trial and error with this one! he is excersised at the moment but not enough to make a difference, however, once the kids are back at school he will get taken out in hand every day, im even tempted to get on my bike and make him trot along behind!
 
My mare didnt get on with hers. She threw herself through a post and rail fence during frantic attempts to remove it, she is highly strung and I have had to give up on it and just control her by strict strip grazing and very high fences (the git also jumps out!).

I only tried it as my friend has one and it works brilliantly on her mare who did try to remove it at first but in no way like my little ginge lol
 
My horse took really well to the bucket style muzzle, lost a load of weight. Then one day decided he hated it and now gets it off in about 10 seconds with the help of his pal in the field :(

I have just bought a greenguard in the hope that he will keep this one on.

If he doesn't then it will be restricted grazing in the spring. I would rather he was out with his mates in the big field though.
 
I use a shires muzzle, but I have to sew fake sheepskin around/under the nose areas where it can rub. Had a disaster with a Greenguard, but I think they work well for some.

One I had a real problem with was the Dinky Muzzle - not just the fact that he "ate through" the fabric of the muzzle in a few days, but also the customer service - the less said the better (and I bet they wish i would go away, but it would have been so much easier all round if they HAD recorded the phone convo, lol ).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top