Grazing muzzles and grass intake.... Any ideas?

[Melandmary]

Hi, I was just wondering if there was any research/answers as to how much grass a muzzled horse could actually consume in a 8-10 hour turnout period.... Or is it a how long is a piece of string answer? My horse/overgrown pony is on a diet following lami last month and has just started going out. I tried the bare paddock option but she is a sociable soul and seems happier with her companions in a muzzle. I am trying to stick with 11kg of forage and just wondering how much I should account as grass intake.... I was thinking 3kg with muzzle. Or is it a case of monitoring weight and lowering her haynet weight when I see an increase? I was hoping to continue with her weightloss as she has lost a good amount whilst being stabled. Any thoughts welcome.... ?

 

[ycbm]

I don't know about the weight of grass, but my 500+ kg mare is out from 6pm to 9am with a muzzle, on grass which is very easy to get at through the hole, and I am having to feed her unsoaked forage during the day to maintain her weight at the moment.

So I think it's very restrictive, but I couldn't put a number of kilos on it, and I would judge by her weight day by day.
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[Melandmary]

Thanks, she always seems very eager to come in, I am still feeding a combination of soaked hay ( last bale thank god) and high fibre haylage when she comes in but she still has about 50kg to lose I'd say so want to continue with the progress. She is out all day now muzzled and has 7kg hay and 1kg dengie molasses free.. I guess the weigh tape will give me the answer if this is enough.