I bought I best friend basket style muzzle and it immediately made a rub on my pony’s nose. Just curious if they all do this. As for sizing, the cob size fit like a too small glove, he wouldn’t tolerate it. So I moved up to the horse size, which looks ginormous, but it doesn’t bother him at all.
thanks.
In my experience, yes. Almost everything rubs to some degree. It might be minor rubbing that results in nothing more than a little hair loss, or it could bloody the horse.
If it’s minor rubbing, I don’t stress too much. A little minor rubbing is better than founder.
But if it’s leaving sores, something needs to be done.
If I were you, I’d just keep an eye on it to see if it worsens. My donkey has a bit of a callous that has formed on her nose because she has to live in a muzzle.
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Before all the various styles of new grazing muzzles my vet said that the face rubbing might be ugly, but it will not kill them, eating too much will kill them.
You can try adding fleece in various places. Or adding some additional attachment points so it sits differently.
Or try something like the Green Guard muzzle.
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IME, yes, they all rub.
Also IME, the Greenguard will also often rub, but because there are fewer contact points with the head, they are far less likely and also easier to prevent with adjustments and/or strategically placed duct tape.
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I have 4 horses in thin line muzzles. Not one has had a rub. I do not use thin line halters.
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This was my solution to the rubbing from a nylon muzzle. My mare wore a concerning hole in her chin with the best friends muzzle. I had the thinline muzzle (with the thinline pads for my mental comfort) on from mid-March to October this year with no rubs and she stayed a healthy weight. My only problem was that I zip tied two wings together (at their recommendation) she managed to slice a chunk out her lip with it by rubbing against … something. She also managed to snap every single halter attachment zip tie in a day and got the muzzle wedged in the round bale… somehow. Honestly, we’re puzzled how she manages these things. But still better than being rolly polly when her sire had laminitis problems.
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I would try the Thinline muzzle if you’re able to shell out for one. I ended up going with that option after a lot of research last year. First used it with a regular halter and then bought the coordinating Thinline halter this spring. Worn ~9 hours a day for ~8 months and no rubs or other issues.
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I think that they all would have rubbed my mini mule, if he hadn’t become so adept at chewing holes in them and/or removing them. He has a dry lot now.
Yes. Moreso if you get exact size and not size when jaws are open.
My mare has fleece on the straps and duct tape inside and over the top of the rubber muzzle where it was rubbing her face. The nose rub issue was mostly aesthetic. The duct tape helped
I used Dr. Scholls moleskins on the areas where the muzzle rubbed my horse. They work very well but they need to be replaced every couple of days if not every day.
The inside of the muzzle also needs washed to keep it free of gunk. I used hot water, Dawn Dish soap, and a stiff bristled brush:)
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Strategically wrapping with duct tape, ensuring a smooth lining on the inside (so all seams need to be on the outside) lasts a really long time, and doesn’t collect anything. Plus, if you have dark muzzles, you can use bright tape to help find it in the field after someone inevitably loses it LOL
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