At 10:48:00 on 21.05.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
My shetland keeps getting laminitis every year! I don't have the time to go to the yard every day so she can't live in, but it's tough finding a padock with hardly any grass at this time of year. I don't seem to be able to keep her laminitis under control! any tips/advice? I have considered a grazing muzzle, but am afriad she might get it caught or something.. anyone else use them? are they reliable? She really has an eating problem that needs solving! Thanks XX

At 23:05:45 on 22.05.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
get a muzzle lol it will help but don't get a green guard - lots of horses can wriggle out, get a webbing one that comes right round the nose than enables restricted grazing and easy drinking and breathing

At 18:16:29 on 23.05.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
thank you so much! i'll do that :) lol XX

At 22:44:18 on 06.06.11, HUNNYMUNSTA wrote:
my fiend had a shires on cheap and comfy but drilled a couple of extra holes in it!

At 22:03:31 on 20.06.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
yeh i'm going to order a ribbed shires one i think :)

At 16:51:57 on 21.06.11, Flicka wrote:
It must be really difficult having a horse or pony where you have to restrict their grazing so much. At one point I did try a grazing muzzle on one of my mares as I was worried about her weight. I did a bit of research and decided on the Shires. Unfortunately she stood around looking so forlorn every time I put it on, and the other horses ran away from her if she walked towards them, that I wimped out and gave up! If you've got a serious problem though I think it's a case for tough love. Luckily plenty of exercise sorted my mare out, although I think she'll always be in 'show' condition lol. Good luck with your Shetland :)

At 02:53:53 on 22.06.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
We had a pony at our yard that didn't exactly like his muzzle but he enjoyed it more than staying in and the horses in the herd didn't mind it and he used to follow us in hope we would take it off but he still enjoyed grooming and some grass which was better than keeping him inside all day and night :)

At 13:51:03 on 22.06.11, Flicka wrote:
Here's some really interesting new research that proves the effectiveness of grazing muzzles :)
http://www.equinescienceupdate.com/articles/rcegm.html

At 09:23:01 on 24.06.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
Thank you everyone :) interesting link aswell, Flicka. :) xx

At 21:52:39 on 24.06.11, Flora wrote:
i would recomend strip feeding your shetland, you dont even have to go to the yard everyday. personaly i dont like grazing muzzles as i would be worried that it would get caught etc. and also there are so many horses that have rubs and very bad sores from the muzzles. you may have already ordered the muzzle but i really do suggest at least trying stip feeding, i have always done it and always will as it has amazing effects and is cheap, cheerful and doesnt make your horse have sores etc.