How to REALLY Keep a Muzzle on your Horse
So you might remember that a few weeks ago I wrote a post on how I updated the ponies’ muzzles with a simple DIY Method to keep them from slipping them in the pasture. Well since it’s been well over a month since we initiated “operation keep the pony muzzles on” I thought I’d write a little update on how it’s going.
You can now also buy a horse online very easily as there are many great marketplaces where excellent horses are listed for sale.
Well since the upgrade I’m happy to report that Mr. Boomerang hasn’t slipped his muzzle once! Now Mr. Minnow on the other hand is quite the crafty fellow! After a little over a week of wearing his new configuration he figured out a new method to get it off – by rubbing his face on the ground when he rolls he was able to pop his nose out of the top. That pony is super smart! Then another brilliant idea is to get some pet style homewares as these just look amazing and on some you can even use a photo of your own pet!
So I decided to do another simple upgrade to Minnow’s muzzle to make sure it stays put, especially since we are entering into the most dangerous time for the ponies on the grass. Using a Horse Fly Spray can repel flies, gnats, mosquitoes, ticks etc. and provide complete protection too.
The result:
It’s been a week now and Minnow hasn’t lost his muzzle yet…..only time will tell if I’ve finally outsmarted him!
Here’s How to DIY:
After following the steps on our first post, I added an additional leather strap to the front attaching the brow band and nose of the muzzle. I used an old leather drop nose band strap. On one end I buckled it through the muzzle and added a small fleece to keep it from rubbing. Then at the browband I attached it with a small piece of balers twine (through the holes in the leather – or you could punch your own hole) and padded it with some vet wrap and duct tape. I also duct taped the browband from sliding around any too. I could’ve just bought one from a store that sells western tack.
Hoping this does the trick! It’s funny to note that Blitz also wears a muzzle in the pasture but he has NEVER gotten it off, I don’t think it even crosses his mind that he might be able to do so. So he’s the only one that doesn’t have to wear his snugged as tight as it will go, or any of the contraptions I’ve had to put on Minnow & Boomer’s muzzles. So funny!
If you have any DIY methods of your own for keeping your ponies’ muzzle on leave them in the comment section!
Minnow’s Adventures at the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show
Well it took me long enough to get an update on the blog about our Labor Day Weekend Adventures at the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show, but better late than never!
And it’s now so easy to buy a horse as there are lots of horses for sale online so you can have a good look through all of them and choose the best one.
Minnow “kicked” off his first performance of the day by showing off some of his favorite tricks.
He’s never shy about telling me how he feels in my choice of wardrobe.
Or that he’s quite happy being retired from riding.
Minnow even posed for photographs from the paparazzi.
And he signed some autographs.
Minnow then painted some fabulous works of art, you can see them all in our shop!
“Horse Show Glimmer” by Minnow [shop this painting]
After taking his bow it was time for Ammo to show off some of his “super” tricks.
Always the showmen, Ammo and Minnow put on a great show! And all just before a nasty thunder and lightning storm rolled through the grounds. Minnow made it safely onto the horse trailer to wait out the storm while the rest of us rode it out under our tent. But once it passed Minnow came out to paint a bit more.
“Storm Cloud” by Minnow [shop this painting]
“Summers End” by Minnow [shop this painting]
“Wet Paint” by Minnow [shop this painting]
At 20 years old Minnow is still just as fabulous as ever!
Thanks to all who came out to meet Minnow and Ammo over Labor Day Weekend!
Painting Pony to Attend Ludwigs Event
We are excited to announce that we will be attending the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show this year!
Minnow the Painting Pony & sidekick Ammo the Dachshund will be visiting the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show on Sunday August 31 from 12 – 5pm! (and painting at 1:30pm and 3:30pm) – we hope you’ll come visit us!
We haven’t been to the Ludwigs event in 2 years (missing once due to rain, and another time due to a scheduling conflict), but we’re excited to return to this fun event!
So come on out, bring your friends, and meet the boys! Ammo and Minnow can’t wait!
How to keep a muzzle on your horse
With the summer grass as lush as it is the ponies are always at risk for lamanitis. I always try to monitor their grass intake, keeping them off of it during the day and muzzling them at night, as well as regular exercise for those who can be – because we all know that given the chance the ponies will eat and eat and then eat some more!
Well this year keeping them muzzled has been a challenge with both Minnow and Boomerang figuring out how to slip their muzzles when no one was looking. They gave us a few scares, which left me trying to search for a way to make sure they stayed put indefinitely!
So after a little trial and error (we tried halters overtop, flymasks ontop, tightening them to name a few) I think we finally found something that works – and after 3 days, so far so good! So I figured I’d share our solution for anyone else out there having trouble keeping their pony’s muzzle on. Here’s what the boys looked like in their muzzles before:
Supplies needed for Painting Pony anti-muzzle slipping:
- Browband (repurposed from old bridles we had laying around)
- Thin belt from Goodwill ($3.99 for a set of 2 at Goodwill)
How to:
All you need to do is add a browband to your existing muzzle set-up and slip the thin belt through it so that it buckles at the throat. Make sure to buckle it tight enough so that your pony can’t get caught on anything and it prevents the muzzle from slipping. It’s always best to use a leather belt so that it’s breakable if need be. And to fully make sure you muzzle won’t slip off, try pulling it off your pony’s head yourself. If it seems too loose, perhaps tightening it up all over may help.
The Result:
I hate to have to muzzle them, and I know they hate it too, but making sure they never over eat so that they live a long and healthy life is very worth it!
Anyone else have any DIY solutions for keeping muzzles on your horses?
Swimming the Ponies at the Lake
Over the weekend we decided to take the ponies to the lake for a swim.
We brought along Blitz, Minnow, and Ammo the Dachshund as well as the ponies’ barn mate Lilah (for her very first swim).
Minnow’s no stranger to the lake, and considering that he was born on an island I think it’s pretty safe to say he loves the water. It felt good to take him on an adventure again as he hasn’t been anywhere since I think maybe pony penning last summer! (that’s far too long!)
Blitz is a bit more cautious about the water, and while he thoroughly enjoyed wading out pretty deep we still have yet to see him actually swim! (some day….)
But that didn’t stop him from having fun in the lake!
Minnow on the other hand graciously gave EVERYONE a swim, even Ammo hopped aboard for his very first swim session on the back of a pony.
I can’t wait to take the ponies back to the lake again soon. It’s the absolute best way to keep cool on a hot summer day!
P.S. Thanks to our friends at My Life, Naturally for providing some of the photos for this post!
