Question

My friend owns a 6-year-old Chincoteague Pony gelding that is really overweight with a hard, cresty neck. He lives with a round bale 24/7. Should he wear a grazing muzzle to eat the round-baled hay or is that too restrictive? He’s not wearing one now.

Answer

Muzzles do not work with round bales because it is too difficult for the horse or pony to get hay through the muzzle holes in order to nip it off. Using a muzzle with a round bale could result in rapid weight loss and the consequences of that, including hyperlipidemia, a condition that seems to be more often diagnosed in ponies.

Because round bales are the only option for the pony, I would strong recommend finding one of the slow-feeder nets made especially for round bales. This should slow intake somewhat. If this doesn’t limit intake sufficiently, your friend may have to find appropriate hay in another form (small bales) and feed it two or three times each day.

For optimal health, the pony should get a vitamin/mineral supplement and have access to salt.