Muzzle to restrict grazing

[MysteryGirl]

Has anyone used a muzzle to restrict their horses grazing?

I am considering it with my mare as she has a big grass belly and needs to get fit for eventing but she also needs to be in the field as much as possible to help prevent azoturia.

So, are there different types? Are they effective? Are they safe to use? Would you turn a horse out overnight wearing one?

TIA

 

[BigRed]

My shetland uses a best friend muzzle, you can buy it attached to a headcollar or attach it to your own headcollar. He had used one for the last 3 years. They do work, but when he gets really fat I have to put him a diet field, which actually works better. He needs to be in a big field to keep my TB company.

Whether you left her with it on all night, depends on your horse and the fencing you have. My pony still tries to get his off, even though he knows he can't manage to remove it.

 

[lizzie_liz]

I use the Best Friend Muzzle http://www.grazingmuzzles.co.uk/

It is great, my IDxTB mare sees food and her belly balloons but with this I have been able to turn her out 24/7 for the past 3 weeks without her looking pregnant.

 

[emz206]

my 14.2 event pony has a muzzle on 5 hours a day - its just a plastic over sized flower pot type thing with big holes in and a strap which goes over her head! she doesnt mind it i dont think but otherwise she would constantly look balloon-esque!

 

[ann-jen]

Jenny has a grazing muzzle on and has had for months now otherwise she turns into a hippo. She has Derby House's comfort muzzle which has extra padding but still has velcro'ed sheepskin bits on it to stop it rubbing as she marks really easily.

 

[Ferdinase514]

Yep.

Finnus wears this one: http://www.thesaddleshop.co.uk/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=1001&strPageHistory=related

His is Hot Pink

He suffers with colic in spring and autumn and this means he can stay out 24/7

I put sheepskin on the head piece and sides as it can rub a little.

 

[jenh166]

My horse hated the muzzle, i used a shires one and it only had one small £1 coin sized hole in the bottom. He spent his whole life trying to get it off and cut hos head in the process. I have him on restricted grazing instead. Not trying to put yopu off, but make sure your horse can tolerate it before you leave her with it on.

 

[lizzieuk1]

well i tried to put H in a best friend type muzzle as the ponies wear them well, he was not impressed and just trotted round waving his nose about then promptly went over to the fence and ripped it off!!! have repaired it twice and he still rips it off so he now has a small paddock in the day and well grazed larger one at night!