Thinline muzzle halter rubbing

[Muddy unicorn]

Fat horse has ridiculously sensitive skin - I tried a standard grazing muzzle on him last summer and by the second day he had open sores where it rubbed so that had to come off. He barely dropped any weight over winter so this summer restricting his grazing is essential.

He’s been in the Thinline muzzle for just over a week now and he’s definitely not put any more weight on and actually might be starting to lose a bit . I bought the Thinline head collar and padded bits to protect his skin but the head collar is rubbing his nose - the skin hasn’t broken (yet) and I’ve been slathering Vaseline on but obviously not ideal. I padded the front of it because it looked like where it’s loose that was causing the rubbing, however now he’s developing rubs on the bottom of his jaw. The head collar is very loose but I can’t tighten it up any more as then the muzzle itself will be too tight - any ideas? It’s a full size collar which is his usual size.

 

[Landcruiser]

I use sheepskin sleeves on my muzzle headcollars (I balked at the price of the thinline one and have the Horseware breakaways). So far so good.

 

[ycbm]

I second sheepskin. I cable tie it on through little slits so I can cut it off easily to clean it and reattach.

Real wool on a fabric backing works very well. I cut some off an old saddle cloth.

 

[mustardsmum]

I put the Vaseline on the thin line pads - a really good thick spread. It’s the only way it stops the muzzle rubbing the nose of our thin skinned BRP, but it works. We have sheepskin pads on the side of the muzzle but we found Vaseline on the thinline pads worked better over her nose and underneath her jaw. It’s messy but works - usually by the morning the Vaseline is all gone and it’s done it’s job

 

[Marnie]

I use the below on a normal headcollar - one over the nose and one under the jaw. They have velcro so are easy to get on and off. My pony used to be really sensitive and rub very easily and these seem to have stopped it.

https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/horsewear/saddlery-tack/horse-accessories/merino-noseband-guard-black-one-size?gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1Uw-SpbwWp_Dvl6CvZrqW9PKoVrsUycwwfk3aiexMt367U1ARTu1PwRoCNIkQAvD_BwE#selection.size=6703&selection.color=6636

 

[Widgeon]

I use the below on a normal headcollar - one over the nose and one under the jaw. They have velcro so are easy to get on and off. My pony used to be really sensitive and rub very easily and these seem to have stopped it.

I do the same - mine aren't LeMeuix but they're the same thing. Mine only gets rubs on his nose so I have two of these, and I switch them on and off when one gets wet or dirty. Much easier than having to undo strings or ties (I did try that initially but it was a faff so I bought these)

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Thanks everyone - I’ll try the Vaseline on the pads first - it’s a good sign the skin hasn’t broken yet so I’m hoping I don’t have to abandon this muzzle too

 

[lizziebell]

I second sheepskin. I cable tie it on through little slits so I can cut it off easily to clean it and reattach.

Real wool on a fabric backing works very well. I cut some off an old saddle cloth.

This is what I do on my fatty. Also I find she gets the odd rub the first couple of weeks of wearing her muzzle, then it doesn’t rub after that. Whether it just coincides with coat change or those bits harden up, I’m not sure.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Another sheepskin user! I buy sheepskin or fake sheepskin noseband covers so they fix on easily with Velcro.
I do more often just chuck the entire lot in the washing machine together though.