I'm asking because I think I am going to have to go against what I would normally do....
Dan has become very obese very quickly, normally I would be able to manage around this but I go away early Friday morning and have 2 friends taking care of the neds for the 10 days I'm away, 1 in AM, other in PM and they already have quite a list to do with all of Jess' necessary extras.
I am very scared about leaving him another 2 weeks before acting but my options are limited. I don't have stables (the 'Hank hut' has been taken over by the horse that came for 2 weeks and is still there after 3 months) and I cannot expect him to be exercised. He is already in a paddock with little grass but lots of nettles and cleavers and that appears to be what they are getting fat on. Jess' paddock has less grass but I don't really want to put him back with her just as I am leaving in case he sets her off. I can muzzle him.
I only really have 3 visits to teach him to use a muzzle and then I have 2 options; on 12hrs/off 12hrs or on 24/7. I am well aware that studies show a part time muzzle is practically useless as they can binge 24 hours worth of grass in as little as 3 hours when the muzzle is removed, but it's not advised to have on 24/7 either (though he would have it off at tea time for his half a handful of chaff to get supps into him), which would you choose? have I overlooked another option?
ETA, just thought as well, Dan has a tendency to escape more when he feels he's being starved...........
Dan has become very obese very quickly, normally I would be able to manage around this but I go away early Friday morning and have 2 friends taking care of the neds for the 10 days I'm away, 1 in AM, other in PM and they already have quite a list to do with all of Jess' necessary extras.
I am very scared about leaving him another 2 weeks before acting but my options are limited. I don't have stables (the 'Hank hut' has been taken over by the horse that came for 2 weeks and is still there after 3 months) and I cannot expect him to be exercised. He is already in a paddock with little grass but lots of nettles and cleavers and that appears to be what they are getting fat on. Jess' paddock has less grass but I don't really want to put him back with her just as I am leaving in case he sets her off. I can muzzle him.
I only really have 3 visits to teach him to use a muzzle and then I have 2 options; on 12hrs/off 12hrs or on 24/7. I am well aware that studies show a part time muzzle is practically useless as they can binge 24 hours worth of grass in as little as 3 hours when the muzzle is removed, but it's not advised to have on 24/7 either (though he would have it off at tea time for his half a handful of chaff to get supps into him), which would you choose? have I overlooked another option?
ETA, just thought as well, Dan has a tendency to escape more when he feels he's being starved...........