2 yr. old gelding

Question
I have a almost 2 yr old gelding whom is doing quite well! Recently another boarder at my barn requested that I get my horse a muzzle as he has torn her horses blanket.  My horse likes to play and can "antagonize".  The other party requests that I muzzle him for a short time until spring is around and there is more grazing room for them.   He is currently in a small day herd of about 9 horses.  He is the youngest and he plays with ALL of the horses with him. I offered to purchase a new blanket, but she agreed to have me pay for the repairs.  I feel like I am punishing my young horse with a muzzle.   He is not aggressive, just playful.  The other party said that he is very mouthy and has always been - this would not be punishment.  ????  I have not heard complaints from other people - and I certainly don't want my horse to damage other peoples property.  Any suggestions?  I really don't have another turnout for him or the other horse at this time.  I was thinking of separating them, but they both like to be with the herd - and again - I don't have any other place right now. But a muzzle???  

Answer
Pam,

Your horse is behaving just like what he is, a growing boy.  Boys play rough.  They will tear up blankets, halters and each other regularly.  Putting  a muzzle on your boy is not punishment as long as it's a grazing muzzle that he can still eat and drink with.  It's the easiest solution unless you and the other owner are willing to paint the other horse's blanket with red pepper mixed with water. Enough to make it into a paste the consistency of maple syrup and painted liberally wherever he grabs the blanket, usually the shoulders and rump but may also be sides.  Problem is that it will stain many blankets. You can use other products too but they are more expensive to use, Chew Stop is one I can think of right away.  Anything that makes the blanket taste nasty so he'll leave it alone.

My boys tear up each other's blankets regularly.  'Tis a rare winter when I don't have one blanket suffer significant damage and have to be repaired/replaced mid-way through the blanket season.  I usually have to have small tears fixed when I have them cleaned in the spring.  So, unless the other horse's owner is willing to let you do this then the muzzle is your only other option unless he's turned out separately which is a bad thing to do.  He needs to be in a herd and experience real social interaction with the other horses.  That's so important with youngsters.  

Those are the only options I can think of that let you leave him in a herd environment.  This has always been a problem with geldings.  It's a dominance thing.  

Lyn