Would you muzzle?

pinklilly

pinklilly

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A 6yo tb, had mild lami last year, there's no option to strip graze or bare paddock at yard and that wouldn't suit this horse anyway, he needs to have company of at least 2 others. He can get out if he really wants. There's not even much grass yet and he's stabled at night, the only other thing is restricting turn out to a couple of hours. I was supposed to be starting rehab work but just found another 2 sarcoids, the one I have found today is on the saddle area :(. So probably going to be limited to walking in hand which is hardly going to use up much calories, well it doesn't with me anyway and I walk miles!
 
Yes I would, I use the Greenguard one, but I had to get the new version which is more like a square as the first one I got her, she still managed to get out of and eat, not been able to do this with the new one.
 
I would defiantly muzzle him before any damage can be done. Sadly, Cassie RIP we lost to cushioning disease she suffered really badly with lami ( she was in her 20's), we had to muzzle her but she was like houdini and we didn't want her pend up in the stable all day. In the end we built her a small paddock next to the horses field, so we could control how much grass she got and she could still go out and be with her friends.
 
Yes! I would recommend a Best Friend muzzle. I used these when I was at a yard where I couldn't strip graze and the grass was heavily fertilised. Much better then then being stuck in their stables. One mare had to have a head collar over hers to keep it on. I don't think either of them liked their muzzles but they both managed to eat grass and drink out of the trough and anything is better than laminitis or a life sentence in a stable. I still let them have some time without their muzzles but very restricted. Good luck.
 
Posted a picture of my tb in his greenguard on this other thread.

Don't be tempted to get the old style ones or a small size because he's a tb and has a small head. I had to adjust a few times at first to stop it rubbing but once I got it right it was fine. I also put a piece of sheepskin when it touched his chin. Trick here is once it's right don't take it off the headcollar so you don't have to readjust.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=604108&highlight=muzzle&page=4
 
Definitely muzzle. Our dartmoor has a muzzle on already, she was starting to show weight gain and is a very good doer. At least being muzzled they can still be a horse and graze for a good amount of time.
 
Most definatley muzzle!! My 9yr old WBxTB had mild lami last year and I think possibly has some insulin resistant issues and she is muzzled all day atm ( I may let her have an hour on the grass tomorrow if shes lucky!) 24 hr soaked hay in her stable at night and ridden everyday- I don't think its worth the risk- esp if excerise if difficult for you atm x
 
Thanks for the advice. He was tested for EMS when he was at the vets for his lameness work up and it was normal. I have heard low grade laminitis is far more common in tb's than most people think. The grass has barely started to grow yet, we had snow and hail today :(
 
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