How much do muzzles restrict grazing?

I read somewhere that they cut intake by 80% but I have no idea if that is true. I use Dinky's and DP certainly doesn't put on weight when he is wearing it but he doesn't lose any either. Sorry that's probably absolutely no help at all.
 
It much depend on the horse as well.
My friend had 3 on a sparse field and they come in at night: one of them does double the amount of poos over night compared to the others, so must manage to stuff himself more
 
The pony is fairly skilled at scoffing but is currently balancing on a lami tightrope so am considering turning her out for the same amount of time (6 hours) but muzzled so trying to work out if she need extra hay (soaked) to make up for lack of scoffing :)
 
Some research done by Baileys said it reduced intake by 80% BUT new research about laminitis has shown horses who were allowed a period of binging (e.g. muzzle off for a few hours) were also more likely to have an episode of laminitis, so use with care!
 
rabatsa said:
ESW I would not up the hay otherwise you will not reduce her intake which is object of the muzzle.
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the pony needs adequate food! ESW is doing the right thing, if the pony is not getting enough forage to sustain her in the six hours of grazing, it's extremely important to increase the amount of soaked hay (which is much lower in NSCs than grass).
 
depends how long the are at grass without it a horse can eat 24 hours worth of grass in about 4 hours so will only work if they are never without it while out. Personally I hate them but each to their own. They have also been proven to cause bouts of laminitis when they are removed for anytime as the horse gorges see the "care" research for details
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Enough to make a real difference. On our routine of muzzled by day when grass is good and stabled with hay at night weigh tapes around 503 kg. Leaving off the muzzle weight creeps up to 530 kg in about 10 days.And did reach 600 kg in pre muzzle days.
 
Mine is muzzled 24/7 for the whole of spring/summer/autumn and it just about keeps him at a weight that I'm happy with. He is a wee porker though and manages fine eating both long and short grass with it.
 
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