Green guard muzzle - worth the money?

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PeachesD113

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Trying to get prepared for the lush spring grass and wondering if anyone had experience of the GG muzzle? They're very pricey compared to regular grazing muzzle (but horse doesn't get on with these and won't eat or drink all day in one) any thoughts appreciated
 
I really liked the green guard muzzle to begin with and so did my horse. Unfortunely, he suffered some quite significant wear to his front teeth that the vet believes was from that muzzle, I'm not sure how common that is though. Not a fan of the bucket style ones, found they got quite hot and sweaty in the summer and rubbed on the chin due to the shape, despite modifications. The best one in IMO is the dinky grazing muzzle, it's a different style and more 'open'.
 
I don't use muzzles generally, I was given a GG years ago and it hung on a hook with no use until last summer when I had a pony that was looking rather too well that hates being stabled was already on restricted grazing so I thought it worth a try, he took about 1 hour to start eating and then accepted it, he wore it very happily for a few weeks while the weight came off and he could stop wearing it, I was fairly impressed it was far more comfortable for a thin skinned sensitive pony than a bucket type, it was not too hot and apart from needing the straps replaced, they were tatty, it stayed put and he seemed happy enough.
 
I really like the idea and was lucky enough to borrow one to try but it rubbed our Connemara's face and cut his lips to pieces :(
 
They are great providing you take time to ensure it fits properly otherwise you can get issues like LouisCat mentions. I've never had those problems with any of my horses. :)
 
Yes 100%

I've got a tbxwb with cushings and he flatly refused to even attempt to graze with all the other types I tried him with, but instantly took to the GG. I took time to introduce it to him slowly and get it fitted correctly and he accepts it each spring as if he's always been wearing it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another of the need arose.
 
Didn't get on with the Greenguard, it never fitted well enough so it didn't rub and it always felt too rigid for his face so I switched to Dinky muzzles. They are lovely, soft in the right places and never had one rub anywhere. My 15hh is in a full size and I buy a new one each year as it gets a lot of use.
 
Be prepared to add extra fleecey bits. We had 5 on the yard and I didn't like them they are heavy and seemed to rub quite a lot but if yours doesn't get on with others worth a try.

Frank worked out how to eat his way through dinky ponies ones but the eaten one was great for training others that they could eat with them.
 
My cob wears a green guard. I do put extra padding around the edge of it though as it was rubbing her face. I have sewn on fleece or sheepskin & change the fabric when it gets wet or muddy. She hated wearing it at first but is now used to it.
 
I had a greenguard for my laminitic old boy; I hated putting it on him, it seemed more like an instrument of torture than anything else.

The advice I would give for anyone considering one is that you really do need to buy the proper headcollar that goes with it, an ordinary one simply won't do and the thing won't fit properly.

Also you will need to watch very carefully that your horse doesn't rub his lips on it; my poor old lad did, his lips got really sore from eating in it.

TBH having used a grazing muzzle in the past I'd be looking at alternatives - such as a 10m X 10m fenced-off bit of field, or some other solution, if possible.
 
ah yes, re lips, I am unconvinced they are great for teeth depending on technique either, I am sure someone has had trouble with that too.

I have muzzled when it has meant that Frank can then go out with others as I would prefer that to solitary, but otherwise he has been on a track where possible.
 
I have also had problems with it rubbing my horses lips but when I realised it had rubbed I did think I could try fitting it differently so maybe it would be ok if it is.
 
Greenguard get 100% recommendation for me. All the horses that need them on our yard have this make and are much happier in them than the bucket type. My mare will put her nose in hers no problem. Only issue I have had is that my hanoverian has a very long face but small muzzle and is adept at getting her nose out the side so has tp have an extra set of straps on the gaps.

Means she can stay out in a bigger field which is essential for her mind instead of a tiny patch.
 
Greenguard everytime. Well worth the investment. Mine wear them with field safe head collars and have never got them off. Re teeth rubbing- my dentist commented on that as my fattie had a bit of wear after wearing muzzle alot- dentist said it was absolutely nothing to worry about and infinitely preferably to laminitis. He said horses in the wild get similar wear nibbling on very sparse rocky grazing
 
Tried it and didn't like it, I have tried all sorts and always go back to shire deluxe ones. I always cut nose-holes out though. I sold my green guard after a couple of weeks, it was so cumbersome. My horses couldn't eat at all in the dinky muzzles, but they are lovely and soft. I now have enough horses to graze the land down, so thankfully don't have to use them, hate muzzles!
 
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