Fitting a grazing muzzle?

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now_loves_mares

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I have bought my slightly tubby mare a grazing muzzle, the shires one. I've put it on for a few minutes, but not sure exactly how to fit it. Should it be quite tight, so that the bottom of the muzzle touches her lips when she is standing normally, ie with her head up. Or should it be looser so it's not touching her lips unless she puts the muzzle on to the ground and pushes it up?

Sorry if that's not very clear! I'm terrified to leave her all day with it on, I'm such a softie; and she looks so outraged when you put it on her
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From experience, fit it so the jaw strap is snug (the velcro does give if caught on something). The actual bucket part depends on how much space you have around the muzzle - my pony (who is like houdini!) has his on with no more than an inch to spare at the bottom, when he has his head up. If the muzzle part was any wider around his face, I would have to do it all up tighter, as he would get his nose out of the side!

It is VITAL his does not come off though, whereas in a horse I was using to diet with, it is not SO important if they get it off and you dont find out for a few hours!! They soon get ised to using them and the pony could eat hay from a net through his (not suggesting this - he tried and tested it when he escaped one day!!).

But I promise the shires ones have always come apart at the velcro when they have been caight in something! And very iseful for keeping a fly mask on, if you use one!!
 
Thanks both, I think I've probably got it fitting ok then. She has quite a wide nose (full sized cavesson noseband only does up to second hole) so no danger of her sticking her muzzle out of it.

I am working from home today so will pop down later and put it on.

Only thing is - the horseflies are really bad here at the moment. She has used her lips a few times to gnash at the ones on her chest etc, I'm now worried that putting the muzzle on means she is at their mercy
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