Grass intake reduction with a Greenguard - how much?

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Ali2

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Does anyone know how much using a Greenguard reduces grass intake by? I've done a serach on t'internet but can't find any data so just wondering if anyone else has heard any figures?
 
Nothing ! Mine just slid it across when I tried it and ate normally old design. 2nd time I tried the new design one and he still hated it and it rubbed his nose

Alot of people on here seem to get on with them, but my horse didn't like it the twice I tried.

He has a shires one now and has done for the last 4+ years, I've had to customise it but he's fine with it now.

Laminitis trust told me that a muzzle only restricts approx 40%
 
Ali2 said:
Does anyone know how much using a Greenguard reduces grass intake by? I've done a serach on t'internet but can't find any data so just wondering if anyone else has heard any figures?
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I don't know about that but found that the Greenguard lasted about ten mins with my horse, he broke it very quickly.

To be honest the best way I've found to reduce grass intake is by turning out for less time. All the grazing muzzles I have used either cause rubs or get pulled off by other horses, and when the latter happens I have found that my horse gets colic from stuffing his face on the grass due to having freedom from teh muzzle for a few hours.

I started by turning out for two hours and then over a period of about three months increased it to around 6 1/2 hours. Last year he went out over night and was brought in by the yard staff in the morning and this helped with his colicy episodes (grass very rich as ex dairy farm).

PS Sorry to digress but I really love your siggy. It is so incredible the difference between flourescent and not isn't it? That 3 seconds it gives the driver is a life saver. I never go out without it.
 
In the case of my horse, who was introduced to a muzzle for periods of 4/5 hours at the weekend, I am convinced that it reduced his intake 100%. He didn't eat at all during the time it was on and just stood and sulked. He was surprisingly well mannered when I removed it!
 
I poked grass through the hole and strips of carrot so he knew it was there, my horse has it off to a t now.

I buy sheepskin nosebands and cut them in half lengthways, I then attach half to the inside on the front, you could do all the way round if you wanted, I attach it with either tying on with shoe laces or spur straps, spur straps are the most effective. It stops it rubbing. I also found a use for the discarded greenguard headcollar, I use the centre strap and extra throat lash and attach it to the shires muzzle, he rarely gets it off
 
Thanks for replies - pony is perefctly happy, rub free and able to eat in it :)

Flummoxed - like yours he hated the bucket type where his intake was zero and he was a very miserable fella!

I'm just wondering exactly how much his intake has been cut by. I guess I can calculate it by looking at his weight loss and other calorific intake.


Aplecart - thanks - its a very powerful pic - courtesy of the BHS (I have permission to use it in my siggy :)) glad to hear you don't leave the yard without hi viz :D
Overnight turnout would be a preferable option but not allowed on our yard :(
 
According to the Dengie website...........


How effective are grazing muzzles?
There have been very few studies investigating how effective grazing muzzles are but Tracey Hammond, a nutritionist at Dengie, carried out a study for her Masters Degree dissertation. Although the trial was small scale, the reduction in intake was between 75 and 85% which would have a significant impact on the amount of energy consumed. The added benefit is that the horse can still be turned out which is better for their respiratory system, allows them to interact with other horses and move around more which will use more energy than if they are stood in a stable.
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Doesn't say what type of muzzle used though.
 
I think the greenguard is probably the most useless looking design I have ever seen. I use a best friend for my pony and he wears it pretty much all year. It slows his grass intake down, but he can be in the same field as the other horse, so he is happy. I did see a report run by one of the vet universities that quotes 80% reduction, which I think is a lot.
 
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