Grazing muzzle users - HELP!

[Bebe]

Hi everyone

Continuing the saga of Bebe and her podgy bits, I have a problem with my grazing muzzle - she keeps taking it off.

I originally tried a Best Friend standard muzzle in horse size but it wasn't a deep enough fit. Nowhere else had any in stock so I picked up a Greenguard muzzle from my local tack shop.

All was well to begin with and Bebe seemed to take to it okay. She then figured out how to bash it out of the way so she could get at the grass without being restricted by it. Didn't matter how tight I put it on, she just kept bashing it on the ground until the leather straps stretched enough for her to carry on grazing.

Could live with that as it was still slowing her down for the most part, but she has now realised that if she catches the headpiece of the headcollar on a tree branch, or puts her hoof on the noseband and pushes down, the fly free link will give way and she can take it off completely. On Monday she had it on for less than 5 minutes, she must have taken it off the minute I left the field as a friend swears she didn't have it on when she went up, and we were at the yard within a couple of minutes of each other.

So, am a bit stuck as to what to do now! Olney Saddlery have Best Friends in stock now, and I could try the extra large version but I'm worried that she'll just pull this off also. Is the breakaway clip stronger than a typical velcro fly free link? How hardwearing are they as if I get one it will be getting a lot of wear until she realises it won't come off? Also, I don't want something too strong as there are a lot of trees in our field and I don't want her to genuinely get caught up and hurt herself.

Any ideas? Am a bit stumped now and we go on our very lush summer grazing next month.

Thanks
Amanda

[CarolineR]

I still think your best bet is to use the Best Friend Muzzle - Deluxe version that has its own heacollar. So long as it fits well enough then she should'nt be able to take it off. There are two fastenings a clip under the chin which she will not be able to take off, and the velcro side tabs which are double velcro and Charlie has never managed to get this off, even with the help of Zak.

He has only managed to take it off twice over the past 2 years and this was because it was not put on tight enough and managed to flick it off over his ears.

Good luck with it whichever opion you choose

[Jakes Mum]

Hi Amanda

I have been following your Bebe saga with great interest. I too have a fatty, a cob who is a very good doer. I sympathise with you deeply as I know exactly what you are going through, it is such a big worry. I tried every 'slimming' technique available last year but with not much success. I had him in a Greenguard grazing muzzle but he too soon learnt how to either move it to one side and then eventually he worked out that by keep rubbing it he could undo the buckle, so I gave it up as a bad job. I have also heard of some horses getting quite stressed when muzzles are used too. This year he isn't as fat but he is still overweight, I made great advantage of the winter by reducing his weight as much as I could (without compromising on essential fibre and vitamins), to give us a bit better chance in the Spring/Summer. The most difference has been made by increasing his exercise, although we do only take it steady as he is only young. We are also lucky at our yard as it is also a sheep farm, so if the grass gets too long the owner just puts a few sheep on to help, which make very quick, efficient lawnmowers. I know I haven't been much help but just wanted you to know that you are not on your own with the 'weight watchers'. Fingers crossed for you and I do hope you soon find a solution.

[artemis]

I too have been looking for a grazing muzzle suitable for a pony who is an escape artist. He is a shetland - any ideas anyone?

[Bebe]

Hi

Caroline, the fly free link I have on my headcollar is double velcro and 2 of us couldn't pull it apart between us, so it isn't weak but couldn't stand up to Bebe. That's why I'm not sure about the best friend being up to it either. The foal couldn't get it off though, he's been seen holding onto the noseband of Bebe's headcollar whilst reversing rapidly (Bebe stood stock still) and the greenguard stayed put then, so I have no idea how much effort Bebe had to put into it to take it off! The biggest problem is that now she's done it once, she'll keep at it and just put more effort in if it doesn't come off at the first try.

Jakes Mum, thanks for the support. My biggest problem is that Bebe came through the winter of 2001 looking quite poor (think it was stress as she didn't like the yard we were at) so I molly-coddled her a bit this year and she came through looking really well, but too well considering how much grass we have. Next winter I'm going to do the same as you have done and take the opportunity to get her on the lean side (not thin but not as well as she looked this year) in the hopes that it will keep her weight down. She stayed quite slim last year after coming through winter a bit on the light side so it should work.

I think I'm going to increase her exercise (she's only been back in work for a week and a half so too soon to see if it's getting the weight off) and will bite the bullet and order a Best Friend in Large size. I'm assuming that there'll be the standard 14 day guarantee, so if she takes it off without damaging it (not a mark on the Greenguard so far) I can return it?

Thanks
Amanda

PS, would have gone for the Best Friend originally but nowhere had them available immediately & weren't sure when they would have them again.

[Cobby]

I have found that most horses with grazing muzzles either stand around looking miserable (especially the old bucket style) or manage a houdini act to get out of them. If it's at all possible at your yard, it might be easier to get some electric fencing and strip graze the field. I haven't seen the Best Friend muzzle though.

[Bebe]

Hi Cobby

Strip grazing isn't an option at my yard, for various different reasons.

I found that Bebe only looked miserable whilst she knew I was watching, other owners reported back that she was grazing when she saw them, and this was before she figured out how to take it off. It wasn't her favourite thing in the world but I don't think it upset her as such.

The best friend muzzle can be seen at www.bestfriendequine.com if you're interested.

Amanda

[Maria]

Hi Bebe

I tried a Best Friend on my mare and it didn't suit - she was miserable in it, it rubbed because she spent all day with her nose pressed to the ground to eat and it didn't take her long to work out the quick release trick! We're on a yard where strip grazing isn't an option and so I've had to just go back to the old fashioned restricting turnout.

Maria

[Bebe]

Maria

Thanks for your message, if your mare figured out how to get it off, it doesn't sound like it's going to work for my mare either as she'll easily work out the quick release trick. She's too smart for her own good sometimes!

I think I might have to just pay the yard owner to bring her in at lunchtime every day and see how she gets on. So long as there are people on the yard a few hours in her stable won't bother her, and she might even appreciate it if the weather is really hot. I can't bring her in overnight as she would start to boxwalk after a couple of hours but an afternoon probably won't bother her. I think I'd only have to do it when we go onto the summer grazing so would only be for a couple of months.

Thanks
Amanda