[drivingpairs] Biting--Muzzle



<Kathy Robertson wrote about a muzzle she made out of
parachute rope. I was wondering if either, you could
forward this, or let me have her address. I would 
like if possible, to get a picture of the muzzle so I
can make one.>

I made a small loop on one end of the cord, maybe an
inch across, did a overhand knot to make loop
permanent.  Then I took the longer end of cord, made a
half loop/scallop, knotted cord onto small, permanent 
loop.  Did that all around the first circle loop, with
a small scalloped effect between knots.  When I got
back to beginning, I started knotting on the small
scallop of cord, right in the center of each, then
another half loop for scallop to next loop on first
row.  Laid flat, it kind of looks like a doily of
scallops, in rows out from the center.  You just build
the rows out to size you need.

  Maybe looking at a haynet, without the tie-up
string, would be a good example, easy to find!  The
haynet idea of rope tying, was my first muzzle
inspiration.  The plan I worked with.  Anyway, I just
kept going around knotting, making scalloped rows,
until I had enough rows giving length from the center,
first permanent loop, to reach the bridle noseband.

  I threaded noseband thru the outermost scallops on
edge, fitting it around the muzzle.  The loops on
bottom side of noseband, by buckles, would drop off
for removing bridle each use.  I gave horse enough
length that no skin was pressed into muzzle cord, not
pulling on nostrils, anywhere, when fixed in place. 
Bit shanks fit thru holes in muzzle rows, reins
buckled on bit, after muzzle was fastened on.  Muzzle
did not interfere with bit action in any way.  Bit use
did not tighten or pull muzzle down on nose either.

How many knots on first loop for scallops, would vary
for size of horse.  My horse was large, needed both
wide and deep sizing, to fit her big nose, lots of
scallop knots.  Small pony, medium horse, would not
need so many scallop knots on first row, to fit around
muzzle.  Would be too baggy on face.  I had to
experiment, take out knots and scallops, to get a good
close fit, not too big or tight.  Making scallop loops
bigger, can help sizing too.  Gives length but not so
much around.  I used just one piece of cord, which I
think was REALLY LONG, 40ft? Maybe more.  One piece
saves you from having all those ends sticking out all
over.  It can be a bit of a pain to work with, but
worth the resulting smooth appearance.

Mare could open mouth a little, even drink at vet
check, but muzzle prevented her teeth or lips, getting
a grasp on her partner.  Slobbered on partner's neck a
lot, but no bites delivered.  She just had it in for
that one horse, and only did biting while working as
Team Leaders.  Mare was NEVER a problem when in a Pair
with same horse, or with any other partner.  Other
horse was Alpha mare.  Any REAL bite could have been a
real problem during work.  Alpha ignored slobbering,
body pushing as mare tried to bite, but did not
succeed.  Mare never tried chewing, rubbing face,
playing with any equipment.  One of those odd quirks,
not something we could do much about when they were in
Leader position.  No gadgets, straps, were actually
useful, mostly created other, worse problems.

If this description doesn't give a good mind picture,
speak up.  I will see if I can find the muzzle and do
a photo.  Muzzle didn't show up in any of the show
pictures, so they wouldn't help to look at.

Kathy Robertson


 
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