What do we think of "muzzles" for fatty horses?

[SVMel]

I'm a convert. I'm still struggling to get the excess weight off, but so far he's not regaining what he *has* lost and he gets to stay outside for much of the day. Bonus

Same here, up until this week, when he started to increase in size again I give up lol!!!!! Just going to wire his jaws shut and feed him soup through a straw lol!!!!!!!

Seriously, he hated the shires style muzzle too, took him about 4 weeks to get used to it, now I'm amazed at how much he manages to get through it!!! The greenguard would definately let too much grass through for him, I think.

 

[SVMel]

i normally have one on the mini shettie but this year my naughty yearling has taken it into her head to play with it and pull it off, i did think on plaiting it into the mane but then thought if it was pulled and pulled by young one it wouldnt be very fair so instead she is out for a day in for a day and it has worked well so far - hopefully next year she will be able to keep her muzzle on

How about coating it in the anti bite spray you can get to stop rug chewers? The name escapes me I'm afraid, but it might mean you can leave her out with it on again??

 

[MochaDun]

I have a good doer but don't use a muzzle and won't. Mine is kept off the grass for part of the day at peak growing time and ridden a lot.

I was at a conference today and two vets gave a couple of pointers to bear in mind when using muzzles - just to check your horse will drink/can drink when wearing it as some won't and also sometimes with a muzzle on a horse can't socially interact as well with others in the herd which can mean they lose their place in the hierarchy or suffer kicks etc.

 

[xxRachelxx]

Muzzles are a brilliant way to restrict grazing. You should def invest in one. Overweight horses can end up with just as many problems (if not more) than underweight horses. It is much better for a horse to be turned out where it can roam than be stuck in a stable. Also grazing muzzles do allow minimal grazing through the small hole in the bottom which is, again, alot better for the horses digestion than starving them in starvation paddocks and/or stabling. Don't feel like you are being mean to your horse. You are doing the best thing for him. Hope that has re-assured you abit!