Alternatives to Grazing Muzzles ?? Bridle??

[Zingy]

I've turned out in a bridle before now with no problems. Used a rubber/ nylon bit with a really old leather bridle with noseband removed. With one of the ponies it works well as it slows down his eating - I just had to make sure he didn't get rubs at the corners of his mouth, but a bit of vaseline on them every day sorted that. The other one though refused point blank to eat, so it's not necessarily going to have the desired effect!

Never had a problem with it causing colic, though I guess it partly depends how they try and eat with it. And the only result of getting anything caught was either the bridle came off or broke. No physical injuries. Yes, there would be a risk, but like anything you have to weigh the risk of one thing against another and factor in something for quality of life and decide what's best in the individual situation.

 

[atillathefun]

I had a thought last night - I might make my own cheek pieces with velcro attaching the bit so that it will come apart if it gets caught. Do you think that would work??

I went into our far field yesterday and it is more like 2 or 3 feet in places thats probably why he is maintaining at the moment rather than getting bigger.

 

[helenc]

I had a thought last night - I might make my own cheek pieces with velcro attaching the bit so that it will come apart if it gets caught. Do you think that would work??

I still wouldn't risk it, just in case.

Listen to your vets, they know best.

 

[Zingy]

I had a thought last night - I might make my own cheek pieces with velcro attaching the bit so that it will come apart if it gets caught. Do you think that would work??

Maybe. But maybe not. Nothing is foolproof. It's one of those things that only you can make the decision on. You've done your research into what the potential problems can be and you have to be the one who decides if those risks are acceptable. Things like velcro might lessen the risk of something serious happening but a risk will still exist and ultimately it's your horse who would go through it and you who would pay the vets bills

 

[Lucy J]

yes, i don't like the sound of turning out in a bit, velcro or not, it is still potenially dangerous. can't you keep the pony in half the day and restrict grazing that way? getting used to a grazing muzzle takes time some pick it up quicker than others, maybe you could try a different style of muzzle? our grass is a few feet long and ours manage ok.