Obesity is a problem that affects a lot of horses. Ponies are especially prone to being overweight. Grazing muzzles slow down or stop the horse completely from being able to eat hay and grass. So, they are a great tool when putting a horse on a diet.
If you’re dealing with an overweight horse, then check out our article full of tips and tricks regarding grazing muzzles.
1. Grazing muzzle Busse Classic
Available in many sizes grazing muzzle from Busse will fit many different horses – from small ponies to big horses. The roomy fit construction of this muzzle allows the horse to comfortably chew, while at the same time it restricts the food intake, which helps a horse to lose weight. Moreover, the clever design also allows for a horse to drink easily.
The muzzle is adjustable in as many as 4 different places, which makes it comfortable and safe to wear for a horse. Putting on and taking off is extremely easy thanks to the Velcro fasteners.
This muzzle can be easily attached to any type of halter.
Pros:
- Allows for comfortable drinking and chewing
- Adjustable in 4 different places
- Safe to use
Cons:
- Can be too small for really big horses (draft horses)
2. TGW Riding horse grazing muzzle
This muzzle is made of nylon webbing, which is extremely durable and wear-resistant. This product is available in various colors such as royal blue, purple, black and baby blue. This makes it a great present for a child that has a problem with their obese pony. 😉
The muzzle is available in many sizes, so you won’t have a problem finding a proper one for your horse. Additionally, the muzzle is adjustable and has been equipped with a snap hook, which allows you to lead your horse with ease.
This muzzle is extremely comfortable for a horse to wear. Big openings don’t obstruct breathing and the whole product is made of soft-to-touch material that doesn’t cause abrasions.
Pros:
- Durable
- Available in many colors and sizes
- Adjustable
Cons:
- The fur might get rubbed off at the latch
- The down part might get loose
3. Grazing muzzle with halter HKM
This muzzle is made of a durable PVC material and is additionally lined with soft foam. This makes the product durable and comfortable to wear for a horse. This muzzle is built into a halter, which makes it safe and easy to put on. The whole product is soft to touch and comfortable for a horse and it won’t cause any abrasions.
The halter is adjustable and fastened with Velcro fasteners, which makes it easy to fit and safe to use, even in the pasture. The whole design has been strengthened with a rubber bottom.
Pros:
- Light and durable design
- Safe to use
- Soft padding
- Adjustable
Cons:
- May not fit some horses very well
4. Grazing muzzle Shires Deluxe
This fully functioning grazing muzzle has been equipped with a soft fleece insert that protects the horse’s nose from abrasions. This product is available in many sizes, so it will fit ponies as well as big horses.
Besides the wide range of sizes, this muzzle is additionally adjustable, which allows it to fit perfectly every type of horse’s head. The product has been adequately tested and the producer ensures the muzzle is safe to use in a pasture and a horse can be left unattended in it.
This muzzle is made of reinforced nylon webbing, which makes it very durable and resistant to weather conditions.
Pros:
- Durable
- Soft padding
- Available in many sizes
- Safe to use
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Can be tricky to put on
- Can get loose
5. Horse grazing muzzle Waldhausen
This muzzle has an additionally reinforced bottom to ensure the durability of the structure. The whole thing is woven from durable straps to eliminate the hazard of choking a horse. The whole design is very clever – it prevents a horse from eating but allows it to drink and breathe comfortably. It can also be easily attached to a halter.
If your horse tends to take off its halter or muzzle, then this product from Waldhausen is a great choice. The design of this muzzle makes it very durable and hard to take off.
You can safely leave your horse unattended in the pasture. In case of a dangerous situation when a horse catches its muzzle on something, the muzzle will break off and prevent any serious injuries.
Pros:
- Allows drinking
- Durable
- Reinforced bottom
- Safe to use
Cons:
- Poorly designed nose part
6. Durable grazing muzzle with a halter Tough 1
This muzzle is ideal for ponies and other small horses. The design effectively restricts the pony from eating grass or hay. The muzzle is made of durable nylon.
The muzzle is extremely comfortable to wear for a horse; it has a five-step adjustment system, and additionally a softly lined noseband. It’s also easy to put on thanks to a special mechanism with a handle.
Pros:
- Ideal for ponies
- Five-step adjustment system
- Easy to put on
Cons:
- Not intended for big horses
7. Grazing muzzle for horses Busse Plain
This adjustable grazing muzzle is the best choice for big horses. It has a five-step adjustment system as well as a detachable buckle and snaps, which allow for the proper adjustment of the muzzle to properly fit a horse.
For better wear comfort, the whole muzzle has been lined with soft material, which prevents painful abrasions on the horse’s nose. The muzzle also has a roomy fit, which allows a horse to freely breathe and drink.
Pros:
- Easily adjustable
- Safe to use
- Allows a horse to drink and breathe
- Lines with soft padding
Cons:
- Problems with shipment might occur
8. Grazing muzzle Praire Horse Supply Deluxe
This grazing muzzle is suitable for horses of all sizes including ponies and the largest horses. This muzzle is designed for long use; the straps are lined so as not to cause pain and discomfort, even when worn throughout the entire day. The muzzle efficiently limits grazing and allows you to control the weight of your horse.
The whole thing is durable (made of stretch- and weather-resistant neoprene) and easy to put on. Adjustability allows for the muzzle to fit horses of different sizes.
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Comfortable lining
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Will not break into a dangerous scenario
Important characteristics to consider while choosing a muzzle for your horse:
Size
Pay attention to the size variants before buying a muzzle. Choose the PONY size if you have a pony or a small horse. For medium-sized horses choose the COB size, and for larger horses consider buying the FULL or XFULL size.
Adjustability
The better you adjust the muzzle, the more comfortable you will make your horse. Additionally, you will be sure the muzzle won’t fall off during the day due to an improper size.
The muzzle’s material
The more durable a muzzle the better. It is a good idea to choose a muzzle made of durable webbing (such as nylon or polyester) that can withstand the tugging or biting of your horse.
Comfort
If you want to leave your horse in a muzzle for the duration of the day, consider choosing a product with a soft lining to prevent abrasions and pain.
The ability to graze and drink
Take into consideration which muzzles only limit grazing and drinking (you can then leave the horse for the day), and which entirely restrict it (only to use for a short time).
The difficulty of putting the muzzle on a horse
Some horses may not tolerate a muzzle on their head at first, so choose a variant that is easy to put on to handle even the most stubborn horse.
Conclusion
If your horse is overweight and its health is at risk (it may contract, for example, laminitis), then you need to limit its food intake to reduce weight. Horse equipment manufacturers have introduced muzzles to the market that restrict food intake and allow horse owners to take their horses outside the stall while keeping in check the amount of food their companions eat.
