Hours to leave a grazing muzzle on for.

[april89]

Is there a time of day when the grazing muzzle will be more needed than any other times? I know that in the winter that frosty grass is particularly bad and I was wondering if there was a time of day when the grass contained more of the *stuff* (:o for the technical term!) that is bad for laminitis. Therefore is it best if the muzzle is on for a few hours overnight, in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening or if it doesnt matter at all.

Thanks. :)

[puzzles]

I think a maximum of 12 hours is usually recommended. Take into consideration the horse's biological need to trickle-graze. Wearing a grazing muzzle is often as good as turning a horse out on a playground for the day or night as they cannot eat wearing it. I would say a few hours at a time, perhaps more than once during the day: say, when the grass sugar level is at its peak (morning and dusk).
:-)

[BabyBear]

I think it's when the sun is at it's highest that the grass is at it's most dangerous.

I think it's 12 hours that are recommended for wearing a muzzle but not 100% sure.

I'll be bringing mine in for about 7 hours from lunch time until late evening go get him off the grass during the worst times so that's probably when best to muzzle.

[scoob&lill]

Billy has his muzzle on all day when in the field,if its frosty etc he goes into his sand paddock so doesnt wear it then,he then has it on for the last few hours of the afternoon.He comes in at night even in summer cos the little pain always seems to rub it off through the night:rolleyes:I know the fructans are higher when after frost etc,and mid day?according to my vet!
x

[sharpsky]

in winter its worst early morning and in evening

summer its worse throughout the day

best left off at night as that is when grass is least sugary

and just to set the record straight ponies can eat with them on puzzles :)

[kturner]

I was going to say the same thing. There is a hole in the bottom of the webbing one and slits in the plastic ones.

Personally I cut the hole in the webbing one, rubber at the bottom, bigger so he could get more.

The original hole was only one inch across (circle). It now has a rectangle cut underneath the circle, coudnt make it round, knife wouldnt go in a circle. lol. Still restricts him a lot of course, but not so frustrating for him.

Muzzel on during the day 7am till 3pm, then stabled everyother night. On his nights out, everyother night, no muzzel, but on very short, almost bare enclosure.

[puzzles]

and just to set the record straight ponies can eat with them on puzzles :)

:eek: But How the f**k??!! :confused:

:p;)

[redcomet]

the fructin levels in the grass can change continually throughout the day although r worse in the afternoon, sunny frosty morns etc.
i have left a muzzle on 24/7 with no ill effects as found holly 'binged' on the grass as soon as it was taken off which defies the point in wearing one!

[sharpsky]

:eek: But How the f**k??!! :confused:

:p;)

sorry im abit:confused:

your first post implied you didnt know, second post i gather is sarcastic
im not trying to be rude im just not sure what your saying:)

[redcomet]

yup - sounded like u thought they couldnt eat nowt with a muzzle on!

[april89]

Would the horse be uncomfortable turned out in both a fly mask and a grazing muzzle then as it seems that they both need to be on at similar times? I'm sure its fine it just looked like overkill for poor Tunder when we tried them both on together earlier! :o lol

Thanks. :)

[Skippys Mum]

Mine wear their muzzles all day during the day. For the first time ever, they have worn them all winter which has meant they could be turned out every day in the bigger field as their paddock is churned to mud in winter. They never get turned out in frost though.

Mine can trickle feed quite happily in their muzzles and are on a bare paddock at night (and stabled at night in winter).

The fly masks go on top and they are quite happy (much more so than being stuck indoors).

This way they still have 12 hours with nothing on to let them scratch and be normal ponies:)

When they first get into their summer paddock though, they have to wear the muzzles for 24 hours just to get the top off the grass. They are fine with it, I just prefer them to only have them on for 12 hours at a time. Incidentally, they can drink with no problems whatsoever.

My ponies are much happier with life since we got muzzles (unfortunately they dont do one that fits me:D)

[puzzles]

sorry im abit:confused:

your first post implied you didnt know, second post i gather is sarcastic
im not trying to be rude im just not sure what your saying:)

:o Eek! No no no I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything at all!

I honestly thought horses could eat very little, if anything, with a grazing muzzle on and if they can then they must be very clever because considering the design it must be difficult to eat with one on - I was kind of joking :p Sorry I wasn't very clear.

:)