Weight Problems-advice needed please

[Old but trying!]

Our boy is getting a bit overweight. He is not too big in the tummy but is getting cresty (a 15.2 cob). I am a bit concerned as to how we deal with this. He is not stabled (grass livery) and is regularly exercised. He has a lovely big field with lots of lush grass to share with 1 other horse, therein lies the problem. I do not want to risk his health.

I was thinking about a muzzle but they seem quite expensive and the YO thinks he will probably wreck it. What experiences can anyone share.

[Zingy]

I'd definitely recommend a muzzle. Shires do one which is very good, and there's another similar design made by someone I can't remember! They're only about £15 so not at all expensive, particularly when compared with vets bills and costs of extra care from laminitis.

As long as he gets on with the other horse in the field he'll be fine. I think more problems arise in a big herd when you might be taking away a way of defence. Benj wears his 24 hours most of the time with occasional nights of restricted grazing without it. You'd probably not have to go to that extreme and him wearing it just during the day with free grazing at night would probably work. Benj has only got his muzzle off twice in about 2 months, one time of which was when he clipped himself to the sheep netting :rolleyes: I thought he'd hate wearing it and would pull it off in 5 mins, but not at all - he's more interested in the challenge of grazing with it on!

The only other option really is strip grazing which means getting electric fencing if you haven't already got it, but that would be about £100 plus.