Different kinds of grazing muzzles?

[ros]

Well, it had to happen. Midnight has laminitis! Fortunately Julie spotted it very quickly and he's confined to barracks, hopefully not too much damage done.

Can someone please enlighten us as to what kind of muzzle he should have to allow him to graze a little and mutual groom etc. but not overindulge? Julie bought one of the solid plastic ones today which is supposed to do that, but it only has 3 small holes in the bottom and I can't see how they can actually do anything other than breathe and drink in it. I'm sure I've seen pictures of muzzles that look different, but I've never actually looked in the shops. Help!

[Cathy Reynolds]

Hi Ros

Sorry about Midnight, glad you caught it early. Try a Greenguard (they are on the web). There are several threads about them on this board. Benny has now learnt to eat out of the side of his, so you need to put them on quite tight!

[ros]

Thanks Cathy, that's useful to know. I might get one for Merly just in case!

It's been a salutary lesson for us - Midnight is 21 years old and hasn't had laminitis before as far as anyone knows. But with little or no exercise in spring because of FMD all the horses put on weight; they were restricted to half the field all summer, but obviously it wasn't enough, and I think Julie's not being able to ride at all during school holidays (kids at home, husband working all hours to support wife, kids and horse!) just about put the lid on it. Anyway, rather her than me because he certainly isn't a pony you'd want to try and confine in a stable for very long, and he's obviously not feeling too bad judging from the way he galloped round the paddock this afternoon when Julie let him out for half an hour while she mopped up the mess he made by spilling his water AGAIN.

[Cathy Reynolds]

Benny used to spill his water too (he plays with empty buckets and chucks them round the stable) - we bought a much bigger bucket which he can't tip over!

[ros]

Right, Cathy - Mids now has a Greenguard muzzle. HOW long does it take before they stop trying to get it off?

[Cathy Reynolds]

Ha! Well I got to the yard tonight and Benny's Greenguard wasn't on the stable hook - so I guess he got it off in the field. His best trick is to roll in the field and get it over his ears. So I suppose the answer is he'll keep trying (my fault, I took pity on him and put it on 1 hook looser than it should be). KEEP AT IT - IT WILL WORK!!!........eventually.