A grazing muzzle is a basket-like piece of equipment that fits around a horse’s muzzle. A small opening at the bottom allows your horse to eat grass slowly—which controls intake without total restriction—but breathe and drink normally. It can help your horse maintain a healthy weight and prevent health concerns associated with sugars in grass.
First, choose the right muzzle size. Most muzzles come with sizing guides based on the circumference of your horse’s face. Consider choosing a muzzle with a breakaway safety feature, such as a leather crownpiece.
Gently place the muzzle on your horse like a halter. The bottom of the muzzle should sit about one inch below the horse’s lips. You should be able to fit two fingers between the muzzle and the horse’s face all the way around its circumference.
Adjust all straps so the muzzle doesn’t shift. You want it snug enough to stay in place, but not tight enough to rub your horse’s face. You can add lambskin or other another type of padding to parts that contact the skin to make the muzzle more comfortable and prevent rubbing.
Don’t keep grazing muzzles on for longer than 10 to 12 hours a day. For the remainder of the time, keep the horse in a stall or a drylot.
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