Greenguard grazing muzzle vs shires grazing muzzle?

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QueenDee_

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Are the Greenguard grazing muzzles worth the money compared to the shires 'bucket type'?

And as many criticisms were based on the bucket type rubbing Shires have launched a more comfortable version with sheepskin to prevent rubbing and a more comfortable shape so would I be better off saving the money and getting one of these?:confused:
 
I haven't actually used a GG but was considering one for my old Section A after seeing a fellow livery having great success with her good doer cob. I didn't get one in the end as I loaned then consequently sold him.
I had a Shires muzzle and it rubbed him and he managed to get it off numerous times!
 
I prefer Greenguard ones and yes would pay the extra money, Mainly because of the airflow around the horses muzzle. I cant see a rubber bucket type, fleece lined or otherwise would be much fun too wear in warmer weather.
Also my horse manages to break his way out of rubber ones within a hour or so! (he still has it on just removes enough to comfortably eat as much as he pleases! ;)
 
I tried them all before forking out for the Greenguard. Should have done that in the first place! Deff worth the money. I'd recommend the GG headcollar too though. Keeps it in place much better x
 
Greenguard everytime! Well worth the initial outlay - works out cheaper in the long run! I balked at having to spend 50 odd quid on one but as Fatty had eaten through 2 x aerborns and 1 x dinky in 6 months it was well worth it! I bought a field safe headcollar to fix it to as I couldn't get a Greenguard headcollar - and it works fine. He wore it for 3 months last year then just back in it again. He can't take it off, wear it out, or eat it - perfect - but I still know he's not starving to death as he can eat through it but in much reduced amounts! It takes him a couple of days to remember how to eat with it on so I gradually build up the time. Also he gets loads more exercise with it on as he walks much more round the field trying to find suitable length grass to eat through the muzzle! Didn't like the look of the bucket type ones - sweaty and restrict breathing?

The Aerborns and the Dinky muzzles I had all rubbed - spent hours sewing on sheepskin etc and smothering him in vaseline to prevent rubs. Greenguard doesn't rub at all.

The only issue I've had is that the leather strips that hold it to the headcollar break quite easily so ask for some extras when you buy it. Also, I'm sure you would, but make sure you check your horse regularly with whatever muzzle you buy as they have a habit of coming loose, wonky etc. and it takes them a while to adjust to it i.e. that they still can eat and drink with it on!
 
GG all the way, just put Lyla's back on her this week, first time since last year :)

It does rub under her chin for the first couple of weeks, so just slob on sudocream and out she goes.

I did try her once in shires bucket type. OMG she turned herself inside out. Me personally don't like how claustrophobic it looks, no air :(
 
MileAMinute said:
I haven't actually used a GG but was considering one for my old Section A after seeing a fellow livery having great success with her good doer cob. I didn't get one in the end as I loaned then consequently sold him.
I had a Shires muzzle and it rubbed him and he managed to get it off numerous times!
Click to expand...

I have a welshie A gG was too heavy for her so I like the dinky one doesn't rub and she seems happy with it.
http://www.tackandturnout.co.uk/Dinky-Classic-Grazing-Muzzle
 
My mare demolishes the nylon bucket type muzzles by unpicking them on the fence (we have barbed wire :-( ) She will unpick the stitches holding the nylon to the rubber bottom and once she has done two or three of the downwards strips she puts her foot on the bottom and pulls. It takes her about 4 hours to destroy one (some bored liveries sat and watched her do it one day! Thanks girls lol) I have found her numerous times wearing the top of the muzzle but with no bottom on it anymore.

She doesn't even try and get the green-guard off, which suggests to me she can eat a lot more through it than with the others. She's not lami prone, just a fatty so it restricts her grass enough for my needs, but might not work on something that needs really restricted grass.
 
My old boy was laminitic and so I had to restrict his grazing, somehow. So a friend recommended me the Greenguard. This was about 10 years ago now, just to clarify. There were other "bucket" types around at the time, and I remember trying one or two, but he hated them and always managed to get them off. I never thought that he was able to get enough grass in the tiny little hole in them anyway, and I think he just felt so stressed by the whole thing anyway, that it broke my heart TBH. Then I tried the Greenguard and that was much better for him, he didn't seem nearly so stressed. I do remember that aspect.

IF buying the Greenguard; don't think you can get away with using an ordinary headcollar, coz if you try to make it fit to that, it just won't fit and won't hang right. Its worth getting the proper Greenguard headcollar with the bit down the front/centre, which will make it hang right and be far more comfortable for the horse (and far less likely to be rubbed off).

Do keep a watch on the horse's mouth and lips though: coz my old boy did get quite sore around his lips from using it.

I certainly wouldn't leave a horse out in one of these things 24/7. No way. Its a grazing management "tool" rather than a long-term fix IME.
 
I had the Shires one for my mare and she didn't get on with it at all. I bought her the greenguard with the halter and she's been wearing that for 3 years now with no problems at all - Brilliant muzzle :)
 
My boy actually hated his GG muzzle, but is happy as larry in his Shires muzzle. I must admit, I have two to swap & covered the noseband in fleece to stop it rubbing - but he now happily wears it up to 14 hours a day.

He trashed his Arbourne muzzle in 20 minutes though!
 
Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole after seeing a fellow livery's horse have her nose rubbed raw with one. Awful things. :(
 
I was quite surprised that we have had no issues with the shires bucket one - I bought a full sized one even though my mare is usually only a cob and if the straps are tight enough we never a problem with rubbing as it can't touch her chin and gives her plenty of chewing room.

I'm really fancying an upgrade to the new shires one, the only issue I have with the current one is the lack of padding around the poll area which I guess could be the same with all muzzles. I tried a real sheepskin noseband cover wrapped around the headpiece once, but that was the one and only time she managed to wriggle out of it!

Current solution was to add a Zilco gel pad which velcros round the head piece and she seems much happier.
 
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