Grazing muzzle

[Embers13]

I have a 14.2 ArabxQHx mare who is very much a good doer. I've never had her tested but she shows all the signs of metabolic syndrome. I've always managed to avoid laminitis by restricting her grazing by strip grazing. I may soon be moving to a yard where a fat patch and strip grazing aren't an option. The fields are all 10+ acres and are regularly rotated between sheep, cattle and horses (there's three at most). So i'm going to have to get madan a grazing muzzle. She's never had one before but she's very clever at getting out of fly masks, and she has quite sensitive skin (took ages to find a mask that didn't rub). So now that I've rambled on for ages, does anyone have any advice on which grazing mask I should get? Thanks x

 

[Hokuspokus]

IMO you have two to choose from, I know there are more out there but I prefer these two. The first one is the one I use which is the bucket type one . Mine is a shires. I avoid the sheepskin ones as they seem to be easier to get off if you have one that way inclined. I make the hole slightly bigger as it it's impossible for them to get grass out with the one that's originally there. My second choice would be the greenguard . My friend uses this one and it's less restricted than the bucket one . You need to make sure it's correctly fitted as they can move it about and eat normal if it's too loose. Be prepared for rubs , mainly on the chin to start with , with both muzzles, the skin eventually gets tougher to it but to begin with you may want to try a nappy or a pad or something as it can get quite raw. Good luck

 

[elsielouise]

I have used them for years now. Have used every model and make available. The smallest hole one and best quality I have found is the 'best friend' muzzle. And my section A manages it well. The most significant rub was where the side rings touch her face but I cut in half one of the anti rub sections from the chin guard where it wasn't rubbing then slid it over the rings. She will wear it all year round when turned out. I plait it into her mane or she rubs it off and she now associates it with going out. She has had one lami attack in five years when I got complacent one Feb.

I think we have her management right now and wouldn't dare turn her out without one or for more than the nine hours maximum ever allowed. Luckily I have a concrete and mat yard she can come in to so she isn't stabled for the rest of the time

Good luck getting it right.