Best Friend Standart Horse Grazing Muzzle

Rated "Best Buy" and "Editor's Choice" by The Horse Journal February 2010

Six sizes: Large Horse, Horse, Cob, Pony, Mini and Mini Mini.  (If you need a Draft size, see the Best Friend Deluxe Grazing Muzzle.)

SIZING CHART and FAQs

Q: Which muzzle size should I order?

Normally your horse will wear the same size as its halter. The Best Friend Grazing Muzzle should not be tight or restricting and should allow room for grazing and chewing. Leave a small space (1/2 to one inch) between your horse's mouth and the bottom of the muzzle. You should be able to fit two to three fingers sideways between the grazing muzzle and the horse's face. The Standard muzzles have a slightly closer fit. Having the proper fit and adjustments will help avoid rubbing and prevent the muzzle from coming off. Refer to above chart for sizing information. Contact us if you need additional assistance in determining the size or style.

Q: How much grass can the horse get while wearing a Best Friend Grazing Muzzle?

It's difficult to say how much your horse would be able to get through the small opening, but we estimate that it cuts intake by an average of 50% to 75%. The opening may seem small at first, but most horses become quite proficient at getting grass through it. Keep in mind that if the muzzle or safety halter breaks away in the pasture your horse will have free access to grass. If your horse is in danger of founder s/he should be monitored regularly while grazing.

Q: How is my horse going to react to the muzzle?

Don't expect your horse to actually like wearing the muzzle, just as we humans don't like going on a diet. However, most horses adjust quite easily. In fact, the March 2006 issue of The Horse Journal described it as a "non-event" for most horses. We've had many customers tell us that their horses associate the muzzle with being able to go out and graze and be with their friends so they put it on quite willingly. Your attitude will make a big difference. Act matter-of-factly when you put it on your horse. Don't apologize!

Q: How long will a grazing muzzle last?

Grazing muzzles take a lot of abuse so expect to replace it periodically if your horse uses it for extended periods.  Many horses use the same muzzle for several seasons, however, if your horse wears a muzzle the entire season he/she may go through on or two a year.  It depends on factors such as the amount of time it is worn, whether you have a gentle eater or a more aggressive eater and the age of the horse. (Since the teeth on older horses protrude, they may wear out a muzzle more quickly.)

Compare the life of a muzzle to the life of a pair of running shoes. If you wear the shoes simply for shopping, they will last a very long time. If you run several miles a day, you must replace them often. While grazing, your horse's teeth are scraping the rubber bottom many thousands of times a day. We continually look for ways to make the muzzle more durable while keeping your horse as safe as possible. Our 2007 model has a thicker and stronger bottom, a reinforced noseband (to prevent side stitches from ripping) and improved fit.  The Best Friend Grazing Muzzle is the original Grazing Muzzle and the most durable muzzle on the market.  Guaranteed.

Most horses are not able to eat hay or grain with the muzzle on. If you want a free-to-eat muzzle we suggest our Best Friend Cribbing Muzzle.

Q: My horse is pastured only. Can I leave a grazing muzzle on 24 hours?

We do not recommend leaving a grazing muzzle on for 24 hours, however many of our customers report that they have been doing this successfully. Any drastic diet change should be discussed with your veterinarian. If you choose to do this, be sure to introduce your horse slowly to the muzzle, gradually increasing the amount of time in the muzzle. Check regularly for any signs of rubbing, make sure your horse has access to salt licks, hay or daily grain requirements and remember that if your horse gets the muzzle off while not being monitored he/she will have free access to grass.

The Deluxe model is deeper and therefore comes up higher on the horse's face. Since the horse's face is larger at this point, the circumference is about two inches greater on the Deluxe model.

 

Q: Are there any harmful substances in the rubber?

While cows have four stomachs and can digest almost anything, horses only have one stomach and cannot throw up. So what goes in one end must come out the other. That is why it is a critical situation when horses get a stomach ache (colic.) It certainly is not good for a horse to swallow rubber; however, thousands of rubber bits have been sold with no ill effect. To our knowledge there is nothing caustic in the rubber.