Muzzles, when to start using?

[~Perdita.M~]

Never had to use one before but its looking that way for this year. Good doer pony on a 5 acre field, not possible to leccy fence it ( aging farmer says its unsightly:rolleyes: ) stabling not possible either. Exercise limited due to his old crockness. I would say weight wise he is just right at the moment leaning towards rounded. So can definately do without gaining more come spring.

When do we start with the muzzle, what sorts work best, how long do we leave it on for and how do I get him used to it gradually before its needed in full use? Thanks for any advice:)

[Laura+Phantom]

Yes I will be needing to muzzle as well, I don't know when to start either, Phantom is obese and there is no grazing. Surely there needs to be some grass before using a muzzle, or nothing will get through?

I am going to use mine on the shetland mare and Phantom in the daytime, and take it off at night (fructans in the grass are lower at night plus I don't think its fair leaving them on 24/7). I am going to put them on them and supervise for a while, maybe push some grass through the hole so they get the idea.

I have a question though, do they heat up in the sun? I've got those rubber shires basket type ones..

[eventerbabe]

honestly? i'd be muzzling now. The grass is growing. We are already restricting my 2 good doers. I love the best friends muzzles. The standard version attached to a field safe headcollar was the only one my houdini laminitic couldn't get off. Maybe i'm mean, but i just popped the muzzle on and out she went. They soon learn how to eat through it.

Some people i know leave them on 24/7, we only ever used to muzzle during the day then stable at night to keep our pony's grass intake to an absolute minimum. Definately muzzle during the day as the fructans in the grass are at their highest. If you cannot restrict you may well end up having to muzzle 24/7. Not ideal but better than having to deal with a case of laminitis.

[Jessey]

As soon as the temps are over 5 degrees consistantly the grass starts growing - so before this cold snap it had started growing, but has probably slowed right off again now, but it won't be long....

TBH if they are already round then I would be starting as soon as the weather warms up a tiny bit :o TBH if you were to start now (and start reducing what ever they are getting feed wise at the moment) then they may loose a bit more before the spring grass comes in, at least then they can afford to gain a couple of lbs. I always aim for my horses to go into spring lean :D

After lami last year with Bo, then sand colic with Jess due to restricted grazing (very sandy soil here and when they graze short grass they ingest it :() I have moved my horses onto a yard with no grass at all, they get adlib hay year round, but no grass :( I feel horrid, but it really is for the best.

I used muzzles last year for a while but the ones I got (shires I think) rubbed both of my guys terribly, Bo had rubs on his lips, chin, nose, jaw :( I am told the best friends ones are the best. I didn't do any training when I put them on, Jess had it on, went straight to the trough and had a drink, both of them pretended they couldn't eat (when we weren't there they were) for a couple of days but then got on with it. Neither of mine liked wearing the muzzles and didn't get used to them :(

[Laura+Phantom]

If the grass is so short they have to nibble it, would a muzzle allow anything through? Thats the state of our grass at the moment, also they wouldn't be able to eat hay through it would they? Sorry not hijacking the thread!

[martini55]

I started muzzling around this time last year :)

[eventerbabe]

yes, they can eat hay through it. Bonnie got so skilled she could eat from a haynet with the muzzle on.

[Laura+Phantom]

Oh thats good then.