My pony needs to be put in a grazing muzzle. He was an untouchable mature gelding when I rescued him several years ago so unfortunately he is still head shy. Any tips on starting the grazing muzzle? Any ideas for type of muzzle?
I can’t help with the headshy part, but mine (even the 21-year-old) adapted really well to the Green Guard muzzles.
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I like greenguard, most comfortable and airy of all the ones I’ve seen. Mine are pretty happy to stick their faces in it because they know that’s the last thing that happens before I open the gate from the dry lot to the pasture. But there’s a lot to be said for putting a treat in the muzzle for when you put it on!
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Another vote for Greenguard. I put a Bob’s Sweet Stripe peppermint in the muzzle and my horses dive right in. Since a muzzle will be new to your horse you may have to show him that he can eat by feeding a little grass through the slots. Don’t despair if he acts like you’re the meanest person on earth and he will surely starve. I thought one of my horses would never get the hang of it but he finally did. It took several days though.
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A treat inside the green guard muzzle every time it’s put on is all it’s taken for my headshy horse.
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Another vote for a treat inside a Greenguard muzzle, EVERY time you put it on. Mine can’t wait to get it on. You can’t really train your horse to use one, the best approach is to put them out on short grass, because if it’s long they can’t get it through the muzzle at all, so they become frustrated. Mine eat hay with their muzzles on as all.
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We use Flexible Filly Thinline muzzles very successfully. They are lightweight, durable and I don’t believe horses even notice them. They can fit on any halter and you can make the hole bigger if you like. I have 5 horses in them…from a pony to a draft cross. They also are not a weapon if you get whacked by one.
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I use the Flexible Filly muzzle on my pony to slow down his hay consumption in the dry lot. Just takes a treat and he puts it right in. I use a very restrictive Shires if he’s actually on grass. He needs two treats for that one.
You can also add some sticky syrup to the muzzle for them to lick off while you adjust it.
You will be adjusting it a couple times to figure out how to stop any rubs.
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I have both the Greenguard and the Flexible Filly but my horse prefers the GG. I truly just put it on one day and turned her out and she figured it out quick and never had an issue. She is not what I’d consider head shy but I do notice that you have to put it on with your back to her rather than facing her head on, if that makes sense.
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My big horse absolutely despises most muzzles and will turn into an ill mannered giraffe when putting them on despite otherwise being a well trained and compliant horse. Yet she has always tolerated the Greenguard muzzle without protest.
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I do think the type of muzzle does matter and with the newer style muzzles that are not encompassing so much of the horse’s face, it is easier to get a horse used to the muzzle.
Like was suggested above, I have always had good luck with the treat in the muzzle technique.
GreenGuard has been our go to!
I use the flexible filly muzzle on my chunky mare, the GreenGuard ones weren’t compatible with the auto waterers at our barn.
She isn’t super head shy, but she can be a little funny. Very sensitive to things touching her whiskers. I put it on and kept sticking treats through the holes and then hand grazed her in it for a few minutes for 4 or 5 days. The first few days she was frustrated but once she figured it out it’s been fine. She even figured out how to eat hay through it.
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Greenguard is fantastic. Light in weight so not lots of weight hanging off the poll, very airy in design so not nearly the claustrophobic feeling of the typical basket style.
I like to use Manna Pro Apple Wafer treats, they’re large enough to not fall through the slots in the muzzle. This has all my horses reaching into the muzzle to allow it to be put on.
and then leave it on and let them figure it out. It’s the rare horse who can’t seem to figure it out. If after an hour or so he still looks pitiful and hasn’t grazed, grab some grass and guide it through the slots to also entice him to lower his head towards the grass.
AND, make sure the grass isn’t so tall that it bends before it can come through the slots.
Another vote for GG. Haven’t had any problems with my horses adapting to it quickly.
Greenguards are also nigh indestructible, which is very useful if your horse goes through a period of trying to destroy it.
As for introductions, if your horse has truly never worn a grazing muzzle before, it’s a good idea to spend at least a little while with him making sure that he can eat, will eat, and doesn’t get too distressed. You can hand graze him or put him in a small paddock and observe. It’s very easy to put on a grazing muzzle a little too tight or too loose and have it cause bad rubs, impossible-to-reach grass, or other difficulties. If possible, try to get him used to it a little at a time (two hours, then six, then twelve) before going to a full 24/7 schedule. Make sure to check every few days for sores, rubs or broken straps. Moleskin, fleece or vetwrap can be used on pressure points like the poll and chin to make them more comfortable.
Most horses get used to them and tolerate them quite well, even putting their heads inside (as people on this thread have attested!) I always feel like the worst owner in the world when the muzzles come out every year, but they are a necessary evil.
ETA: The Greenguard and Flexible Filly websites (Greenguard especially) have extensive tutorials and information about making sure the muzzle is fitted appropriately, and they are happy to respond to you via email for help, as well.
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I also use the GG on 2 of mine. I always treat when the muzzle goes on. My gelding is no problem but while my mare never evades it being put on by putting her head up, she will have random episodes of me having to walk her down in the pasture at muzzle time. I just halter her and bring her to the muzzle instead of trying to bring it out to her ( hidden behind me – she knows).
If the pony in question is head shy I would just leave the breakaway halter on and undo the muzzle for a while? A royal pain to do especially once the straps have gotten wet and dried again but it might make it easier .
I found no adjustment time needed. It took all of 5 minutes for my guys to start grazing after the initial shock and horror. My mare still pouts for about 30 minutes every single day after I put it on. Typical female…
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I’m the Scrooge McDuck of owners & grow faint at the price of both GG & FF muzzles.
I use the Tough 1 Easy Breathe.
Usually under $30 in the mini size I need.
They last me about 2yrs before the opening has been rubbed wide enough to be more of a suggestion than a restriction.
If anyone using the pricy muzzles has them last 5yrs or more, I may reconsider
I use the Treat After It’s On method & mini knows that’s coming & mugs me for his cookie, fed through muzzle opening.
I use a low-sugar treat from TSC, or when I’m out of that, 1/4 of a Dollar Tree gingersnap.
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we have never had a horse that required a grazing muzzle ever fight it as they learned quickly how to continue to graze
a few attempt to become giraffes pulling their heads up high away from the approaching muzzle but that is them training Me to give them a treat before putting the muzzle on them, treat applied head drops to attach muzzle,
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@2DogsFarm, I have one FF muzzle that may be six years old. It’s actually turned yellow. It is the first one I purchased, so it could be even older. The only one which was ever damaged was human error. For some reason, someone unbuckled the crown piece of the halter (our turnout halters have snaps at the throat latch) and rebuckled it on the lowest hole. The person turning out didn’t notice and i think the horse stepped on it somehow. It tore the small hole. No bid deal- we used another hole and still use that muzzle today. They have gotten expensive-I agree. I like them so much better than either GG or Tough 1.
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