 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Grazing muzzles
Important tools in equine weight management
| By Grey Parks, TFC Equine Specialist |
4/23/2021 |
Horses that require fewer calories than average to maintain their body condition are often referred to as “easy keepers.” However, true easy keepers are often anything but easy to manage.
Easy keepers require extra care and attention to prevent obesity, which can lead to serious health conditions such as laminitis. A grazing muzzle is a useful tool in controlling forage intake for these horses, while still allowing them to socialize with their herd mates.
A grazing muzzle is a plastic or web “cup” that fits over a horse’s muzzle. There is a small hole in the bottom of the muzzle, which limits the amount of forage a horse can grab in a single mouthful. Muzzles come in two basic varieties: all-in-one halter/muzzle combos and separate muzzles made to be attached to the horse’s regular halter.
Whichever model you choose, it is important to make sure that the halter is a breakaway or thin leather variety, in case the horse gets tangled in a tree or other object in its pasture. You should also check the halter and muzzle daily for fit and signs of rubbing. Some muzzle manufacturers sell neoprene padding to be used on areas of the muzzle that rub. Self-
adhesive bandage material or duct tape is also handy for this purpose. (I recommend choosing a brightly colored bandage or tape to help you locate the muzzle in case your horse loses it somewhere in the pasture.)
Why muzzle instead of housing the horse in a stall or dry lot? Horses kept in small paddocks or stalls spend very little time moving around, unlike pastured horses that move consistently all day long. With a horse that needs to lose or maintain its weight, every calorie burned is important. Horses are herd animals, and most are therefore much happier turned out with their herd rather than isolated in a small area. Muzzling allows the horse to graze continuously, reducing the risk of gastric ulcers when compared to meal feeding. Using a grazing muzzle also provides a more reliable restriction of a horse’s forage intake than short-duration grass turnout. While grazing muzzles may reduce a horse’s intake by as much as 85 percent, most horses that are turned out for only a few hours at a time will consume just as much forage as horses that are out 24/7!
As with any other change in a horse’s diet, a grazing muzzle should be introduced gradually. Some horses object strongly to wearing a muzzle at first and may try to rub or paw the muzzle off. I like to place a small treat inside the muzzle every time I put it on the horse to make the process more pleasant for both the horse and myself. Other horses may become very frustrated when their initial grazing attempts are thwarted and stop trying to eat at all for a period of time. You may need to feed the horse a few blades of grass through the hole to help him learn how the muzzle works.
Start by putting the muzzle on for only a short period of time and monitoring the horse for signs of distress or confusion. Most horses quickly figure out how to graze while wearing a muzzle, but some take more time than others. Keep in mind, too, that your horse probably won’t be able to lick a salt block while wearing a muzzle, so you will need to either offer him muzzle-free time to access salt or top-dress his feed with loose salt daily.
Very few horses enjoy wearing a grazing muzzle, but most will learn to accept one after a careful introduction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|