My horse foundered and I need to know if there are any anti-grazing muzzles people liked, and use.?

Question

I have seen a few grazzing muzzles, and one limits the grass intake, and there is another that doesn't allow any grass intake. I'd like to not have her eat at all.
She will be getting plenty of food inside when they are not out.
Any suggestions would be nice.
Thanks

She's got Cushing disease, and I know that caused the foundering. She's on a handful of grain to give her bute.
I'd just hate to not turn her outside with her friends. So, I'm looking for a great anti-grazing muzzle.

Answer 1

We've used grazing muzzles reasonably successfully- I've used similar to this one here: http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassId=3693&GCID=C11284x040

I'm yet to see any animal get food into that, but the hole at the bottom lets them drink quite comfortably. Only problem is that some really resent it and will rub against a fence/tree/etc. until they manage to get it off.

Is there any other way that you can give her her bute, other than mixing it with grain? Seeing as though she's at high risk of foundering again due to the Cushings, you really shouldn't be giving her any grain/bread/other highly digestible carbs if you can avoid it. If you're using powder, have you tried mixing it with a little molasses (just enough to form soft balls- most will eat it quite happily)? Or else mix it up into a paste with some molasses water and give it to her in a syringe like you would worm her.

Are you just feeding her grass hay when she's inside? Unless she's being ridden (guessing she's not, or not much, given the Cushings) that should be fine for her in terms of energy.

Other thing- as you may know, Cushings causes the skin to atrophy with time. This can mean that if there's any rotatation or even sinking of the pedal bone, they seem (in my experience) to be more prone to having the bone come through the sole of the hoof. If she's just stabled and in a paddock then she should be okay, but be really careful with her if she's ever out on rough or stony ground. There are various shoes & other 'devices' around (that can be held on with bandages if she's not shod) that can help to protect feet like these- may be worth a call to your farrier or vet.

Hope that's of some help

Answer 2

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I have had a few--you are on the right track in her care--having her feet trimmed regularly will help --the thing that will flair foundering the quickest is too much spring grass--if you have her out and the grass is lush and green you should put her where you can feed her grass hay --cut back on her grain --if she has only foundered once--she will be ok to ride unless she is retired as my horses are--
Founder is due to the horses inability to rid themselves of unused proteins so they build up and become toxic--unfortunately it attacks the hooves--you can tell in some horses that they are getting to the point of founder if the top line of their necks get rock hard ((the crest of their neck)) its a warning sign--Good luck :-)

I found this, hope it helps! Good luck with your horse!

Answer 3

My boy foundered, due to his grass intake.

We ploughed up the field to keep him off grass and only on what we gave him. I would suggest turning her out in a field that has been ploughed so there is no grass at all. It worked well for us and it was convienent. Maybe it could help you out.

Answer 4

statelinetack.com sells alot of them.