Grazing muzzle

[annareeves0]

Arrrgh I feel terrible and dont know what to do!
Rosie is (by vets estimation) 100 kg overweight :eek:
I cannot keep up with the grass and stuff in the field - it is riddled with clover etc and just mega lush and even though I have taped her and her field mate into about a quarter of the field she is still putting on weight and fast, so on recommendation from a trainer I bought a grazing muzzle. Well I have put it on today and she absolutely hates it - was haring round the field at top speed (:rolleyes:she needs the exercise!!!!) and then stopping and trying to pull it off.
I have been working really hard to build a bond with her and she was just looking at me as if to say - what have you done, I thought you liked me!!! I feel awful - I dont want to lose that relationship as it has been hard won but I need to get that weight off before she becomes seriously ill.
Any suggestions???

[Jetstreem]

I know it's hard, my two hated their muzzles when I first put them on! You just have to turn your back and walk away and leave her to it! It's hard. But has to be done.

She will get the hang of using it in no time. Both my two only took a day to master theirs and now don't mind wearing them at all.

Cerys :)

[blues mum]

I started off with Blue with exactly the same problems.
Had to take a deep breath and leave him to it.
Also started him off slowly, 1hr the 1st day, 2 hrs the next.
He now wears it all day with out any fuss.
A good tip, from someone on here is to put some food in the muzzle as you put it on ( I use carrots ) it gets them used to the fact they can still eat, and means they dont develop an aversion to putting it on.
Good luck, and do persist.

[welsh-by-name..]

My little mare is the same. Although they are more expensive she is a lot happier in one of the greenguard muzzles rather than the basket type ones which are reight heavy especially for little pony heads.

She was always thirsty too when she came in, like she couldn't drink when she had it on, but greenguard one she can drink in too.

Well worth the investment, better than a pony with laminitis, think of the vets bills!:eek:

Remember, If its not a Welsh pony, its just a pony!

[annareeves0]

I felt so bad that I went back to the field to check on her and she gave me the full on sad eyed look and I totally felt like a wicked witch. But.... she had calmed down. I couldnt really see how she was eating as the field share horse was a bit jealous of the attention (as usual) and wouldnt stop herding her round the field but as I walked away she had her head down and was obviously walking away.
I know its for the best in the long run but.....
My field neighbour is getting a ride on mower today and said they would run over my field for me so hopefully once its all cut back Ill be able to take the muzzle off and have them in a restricted short grass area :D

[annareeves0]

Am so glad that i got this grazing muzzle -s he has totally accepted it and is really funny to watch her eat but she still gets plenty.
The reason i am so pleased is twice in a row they have ploughed through the electric tape (changed the batteries today!) and were munching on the other 2 acres where the grass and other stuff is knee high - I think Id have had a real problem if she hadnt been wearing it - maybe even pony no more :-(

I am having a problem now though, when I take the muzzle off to do some work she is too busy trying to munch to listen. I freeschooled today and anything less than a fast trot she munched - any ideas?

[kturner]

Mine hated it at first as well. There are two types, I first got the greenguard one, hard plastic with the vertical slots in to eat through. We had hour long fights to get it on him, in the stable, for 3 days. He kept rubbing in on the ground and getting it full on mud. He tried to drown himself in the water trough, I still had his leadrope on and struggled to pull his head out, he was trying to get rid of it not drink.

I went back to the shop crying uncontrollably because the vet had said to put him down again, and I couldnt get him to accept the muzzle. They said to try a canvas, criss cross, full nose one. It has a hard circle at the bottom with a hole in. It was only £10, first one was £33.

He loved it straight away, I cut the hole a little bigger so he could get more grass because they said with this one he is not supposed to eat.

When he first had it on there was dengie in his stable and he got straight into eating that, and he gets hay out of a double small hole hay net. He is determined. Now he puts his head straight in it because he knows that means he is going to the grass field not the bare one!!

Riding in the field in summer is a nightmare and in hand walks with the grass on the sides of the roads is also difficult.

I have now bought a daisy rein, £10 pony size. It goes from the top of the headcollar/bridle to the D rings on the saddle and he can move his head, adjustable, but not get it all the way down. Great for my shoulders.

I suggest you put one on in a small area, maybe at home before going out on the road the first time, I also used the headcollar first so it wouldnt hurt his mouth. He went beserk, I had to unclip him and let him go (in the field).
After fighting it for a while he came back to me. Now we g for walks in hand anywhere we want, when we stop for a break, I undo it and let him eat, then do it up again to walk home.

Havent tried putting his rider on in the field yet, only bought it 2 months ago, and his rider is only 10. I may have to go on him with it for a while in case he throws a tantrum trying to get the grass in the field.

[Clava]

My pony has always taken various ones off in minutes, but the full muzzle with the circle hole in the bottom is staying on (now I've tightened it), he follows me round the field trying to persuade me to take it off, but he's just too fat even though he's in a restricted area. Cruel (not really, just not pigging out) to be kind.