March 2006

Healthy Muzzles

Yes, they’re ugly, and you worry about using them. But muzzles can be lifesavers.

Note the lower openings in the web basket have been closed off to prevent grazing through the sides of the muzzle.

If you own an “easy keeper” or a horse confirmed to be insulin-resistant, a grazing muzzle will quickly become the most important piece of equipment in your barn. You will have the most success with weight control if you start muzzling your horse in early spring, before the first haze of new green grass appears.

A grazing muzzle with an open hole in the bottom limits the horse’s grass intake to one quarter of what he’d consume without the muzzle. If you’ve restricted pasture turnout to one hour, your horse can now possibly tolerate four hours of freedom if he’s wearing his muzzle. …