Muzzles to prevent chewing on wraps

[M.K.Smith]

Has any body had success with using muzzles to prevent a horse from pulling on it's wraps? What did you use? What would you recommend or not recommend?

I'd love something that would enable eating of hay, but I don't know if that is possible. If he could eat hay, he'd wear it close to 24 hrs a day... if not then I'd leave him free to eat hay and then put the muzzle on him.

I'm considering purchasing one from Country Supply since I have other supplies to order from there.

Thanks!

[Pancakes]

I don't know if you've tried this, but I've seen some people put deodorant on the outside of the wraps. If you've ever accidentally tasted the stuff, you'll know why it works!

[CB/TB]

Lots of things have been suggested in other threads. Mc Nasty, Schneider's No Chew, bar soap, vick's vapo rub, bitter apple. Fabric softener sheets. Try and find one that works. Be creative- you never know what might work for you. Hot sauce?

[M.K.Smith]

Hmmm... I've never heard of that one :lol: Spray... roll on... solid?

I used McNasty spray and that seemed to deter him at first... I only applied it the first day (the vet has said to leave the wrap on for multiple days). So... I don't know if I would apply it every day if that would work or not. I think I will try and see.

He's also a rather bright fellow so I'm thinking I may need a multiple bag of tricks.

I'm torn about the muzzle... part of me thinks it's a good idea and part of me doesn't care for it.

[Evalee Hunter]

RAPLAST. No other brand or product. You can buy it at Bartville so you don't have to wait for it to be shipped.

If you are determined to try a muzzle, I would try a wire cribbing muzzle as he could eat and drink with it on. I think horses hate muzzles so I would try to avoid using one but that is me.

I guess this must be the horse with the injured knee? How is he coming otherwise?

[M.K.Smith]

RAPLAST. No other brand or product. You can buy it at Bartville so you don't have to wait for it to be shipped.

If you are determined to try a muzzle, I would try a wire cribbing muzzle as he could eat and drink with it on. I think horses hate muzzles so I would try to avoid using one but that is me.

I guess this must be the horse with the injured knee? How is he coming otherwise?

Yep... So far so good. He still has a long road ahead of him but the x-rays looked good and he's sound... the wound is still open to the joint capsule, so we're just hoping that will close up fine.

[jetsmom]

Ditto the Raplast.

Make sure you don't inhale any of it, or rub your eyes after applying it:eek:

[Evalee Hunter]

Yep... So far so good. He still has a long road ahead of him but the x-rays looked good and he's sound... the wound is still open to the joint capsule, so we're just hoping that will close up fine.

Glad to hear things are good so far. You have been in my thoughts as we doctored Peeping Tom.

[Highflyer]

Have you tried a bib? I'd try that before a muzzle.

[Evalee Hunter]

Have you tried a bib? I'd try that before a muzzle.

Or a neck cradle?

[horsepoor]

My dedicated wrap chewer was not deterred by a bib. The first time, he stuck it through the bars to his neighbor's stall (his neighbor was my other horse, his partner in crime) and the neighbor chewed the bib up. The next time, he somehow figured out a way to rip the bib himself -- I think he stood on it and pulled, although I had a breakaway halter on with it -- but whatever he did, after destroying the bib, the wraps were next.
Would a grazing muzzle work? I think my guy would figure out a way to get the wrap inhaled through the opening, but might be worth a try. Or they make those wrap protectors with the little spikes on them - I'll try to find the link as I know I've seen them somewhere recently.

[horsepoor]

Here's what I was thinking of:
http://www.protectohorse.com/saver.html
Not sure you can buy them from this website, or have to find a dealer somewhere. If I ever have to wrap my guy again, I'll get these to try -- he'll probably figure out a way through them, but it will keep him busy for some time first!

[M.K.Smith]

RAPLAST. No other brand or product. You can buy it at Bartville so you don't have to wait for it to be shipped.

If you are determined to try a muzzle, I would try a wire cribbing muzzle as he could eat and drink with it on. I think horses hate muzzles so I would try to avoid using one but that is me.

I guess this must be the horse with the injured knee? How is he coming otherwise?

Ditto the Raplast.

Make sure you don't inhale any of it, or rub your eyes after applying it:eek:

Evalee... Thanks!!! I went to Bartville today picked up a bottle of Raplast... along with some other things. It was kind of sad thinking about how Eli recently passed :cry:, but the people working seemed in good spirits.

I looked at the different types of muzzles that they had there & just couldn't bring myself to buy one... I can't help but think that if it itches he'll still rub at it with a muzzle on. I don't want his face getting rubbed. With him having to eat hay, I don't think the muzzle is the ideal situation. So we'll see... I hope the Raplast will work.

My vet also had discussed putting him on the long term tranq (I think it is Rompum, but I'm not sure if I have the right name). I'm considering it... he's a youngster who isn't used to being stall kept and some days he's excellent other days a little on the rammy side.

I got a lik it, but he doesn't seem that interested in it. He loves Jolly Balls, but he plays a little too hard with them... I may see about hanging one for him, though.

[Renae]

Yes, definatly try a bib before you go to a muzzle. Use the bib on a leather crowned halter or halter with the leather break away things at the buckle, and you may need to get sheepskin fuzzies for it if your horse has sensitive skin. Here is a horse bib http://ehorseequipment.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1324 You attach it to the halter so it hangs under the horse's chin. They work great on the majority of horses.

[Evalee Hunter]

. . . . My vet also had discussed putting him on the long term tranq (I think it is Rompum, but I'm not sure if I have the right name). I'm considering it... he's a youngster who isn't used to being stall kept and some days he's excellent other days a little on the rammy side. . . .

Reserpine. I'm scared of the injectable (long-term) version, though. A dear friend's horse died after an injection of reserpine & one of the first threads I ever saw after joining this bulletin board was about a horse dying of reserpine ... the poster wrote something like "The vet didn't warn me that this was a possible side effect..." Some horses develop explosive, unstopable diarrhea, dehydration ... followed by collapse & death, very rapidly. First, do an internet search of reserpine. Second, discuss the possibilities with your veterinarian. We have used reserpine pills, although I think there was something on this board recently about the pills no longer being available? I don't remember for sure.

There have been many terrific threads on keeping stall-bound horses happy. Mirrors, company of other indoor horses, various toys, all can help. See if a search will give you some ideas. I have an "Amazing Graze" if you want to borrow it, also a "Pasture Pal".

[merrygoround]

I would try the cradle, but you then need to hang a haynet, hang it high. Duct tape also has been tried with something nasty painted on it.

[M.K.Smith]

Reserpine. I'm scared of the injectable (long-term) version, though. A dear friend's horse died after an injection of reserpine & one of the first threads I ever saw after joining this bulletin board was about a horse dying of reserpine ... the poster wrote something like "The vet didn't warn me that this was a possible side effect..." Some horses develop explosive, unstopable diarrhea, dehydration ... followed by collapse & death, very rapidly. First, do an internet search of reserpine. Second, discuss the possibilities with your veterinarian. We have used reserpine pills, although I think there was something on this board recently about the pills no longer being available? I don't remember for sure.

There have been many terrific threads on keeping stall-bound horses happy. Mirrors, company of other indoor horses, various toys, all can help. See if a search will give you some ideas. I have an "Amazing Graze" if you want to borrow it, also a "Pasture Pal".

Evalee... Thanks- that's it... my brain has been quite fried lately... not only do I have Wilson's injury, but my husband has another melanoma :no: so some days I don't know if I'm coming or going...

I'm concerned about putting it on him also... my vet said there weren't any side effects... I thought I'd heard something about it being hard on their kidneys... I'll admit, I haven't researched it myself yet. My boy is just little, too... he's only about 750lbs (I say that because it seems like so many things are dosed for 1000 lbs).

I do have a friend who used it on her horse and he had no problems.

Overall, for a colt who's never been stalled he's doing a great job, but some days he's too active. It doesn't help that his neighbor, Remi, has been being an IDIOT!!! I'm about ready to throw Remi out with the mares... the'll give him a good attitude adjuster! Remi has been throwing temper tantrums because "HIS" run in was turned into Wilson's stall. I don't have time for 16.2 hand gelding drama :no:.

I may take you up on your offer of borrowing some stall toys. ;)

[Renae]

The other drug that can offer long term sedation is fluphenazine. Both reserpine and fluphenazine have their pros and cons.