Muzzle on... muzzle off :o0

[Imp]

The grass is through and Megan has her own 2 acre(ish) turnout and is happy as a pig in muck :rolleyes: She goes out fairly flabby but not fat and comes in like a barrel with a leg at each corner of an evening! I therefore bought fat girl a nice mesh muzzle in hot pink :p

I proceeded carefully and quietly to place it on her nose... nada. I then placed some pony nuts at the bottom - always up for a bribe is Megan - and put the strap over her head; again no reaction, just ate the pony nuts.

I then walked her around and she was as sound as a pound. Feeling a great feeling of accomplishment and pride that my horse was not a problem to muzzle I led her to the pasture.

As soon as the headcollar was off she put her face on the ground, carefully placed a hoof on the base of the muzzle and pulled her head back with force; the velcro started to undo and so I took it off to prevent a burn mark from the force :eek:

I'm assuming she's been muzzled before and learned that little trick but has anybody got ideas for helping her accept muzzling? I'm really scared she'll get the 'L' word :(

[EmmaRotherham]

You could try leaving a field proof headcollar on over the top of the grazing muzzle. Only other options are to either fence off a part of the field, or bring her in for a few hours each day

[Trewsers]

Crumbs! Aren't they sly?????!!! I was going to get one for Storm this year, but as it turns out, the paddock she's been in isn't lush at all and there wasn't much grass (still isn't that much). Could you bring her in a bit sooner? (I know this isn't that good an option - but could you perhaps put her out at night when the grass isn't as calorific?). I've no experience on muzzles, but I know a few people on here swear by them - there are some brands better than others. I like the description - "a barrel with a leg at each corner"!!!!

[Pink's lady]

Life would be much much eaiser for you if you forget the muzzle and buy a some electric fencing. You could get a small set for under £100, less if you shop around on ebay. Then just run it acorss, cutting the field in half.

Makes poo picking easier, grazes the grass down and keeps a bit for the winter and she'd be happier without a muzzle..

[EmmaRotherham]

I agree pink, but it can depend on where you are.. some yards don't let you do that (crazy, huh?) I know our's would have issues with it.. which is why we're stuck.. Pony hates muzzle (don't blame her) but 'lammy' paddock has NO grass at all and she's starving if there so we bring her in for a few hours each day instead..

[Imp]

Pink's Lady wrote: Life would be much much eaiser for you if you forget the muzzle and buy a some electric fencing. You could get a small set for under £100, less if you shop around on ebay. Then just run it acorss, cutting the field in half.

I totally agree, and Megan would be happier too. My problem at the mo is cashflow as I'm on half pay due to sickness :( That £100 is needed elsewhere at the moment. I'll have a look on Ebay though and may put an ad on freecycle to see if anybody has some white tape that looks like electric tape as she keeps away from the dodgy corner of the field that I taped off. Failing that I'll made a very sad face at my YO and see if he's got any going spare for a while ;)

I don't want to keep her inside as she's so miserable in her stable for long periods.

Thanks for the ideas.

[martini55]

I got 10 posts for £15 from ebay and tape for around £20 from ride away. I was lucky that we already have electric fencing so all i needed to do was buy a couple of hooks and attack them to the original fencing.

[domane]

Blimey! How clever is SHE??? The other option you could try is one of those plastic muzzles that look like buckets with holes in OR the expensive greenguard. Probably the most economical long-term though would be the electric fencing so it looks like you are going to have to turn the couch upside down and look for those pennies and buttons!!!! ;)

[Little Dolphins]

the expensive greenguard.

Dearest HQ trashed hers!
:rolleyes:

Restricted turnout was the best solution for us, in the end. More visits and more work, tho'.

I know what you mean, Imp, about worrying about the dreaded "L"! Someone on our yard, whose mare fell foul one year of the September flush of grass , keeps telling me to watch out!

[notpoodle]

the fieldsafe headcollars break very easily though! if she can pull off velcro, she WILL have a fieldsafe off in no time! angel had one over her flymask last year and could easily shred it off by rubbing alone ...

Julia
x

[Imp]

It was a fieldsafe, mesh mask and there's no point in continuing with it because she obviously knows the quickest way to remove it :rolleyes:

*off to Ebay we go* :D