05/22/2025
Some of our horses need to wear muzzles. It keeps them out on pasture where they're moving and happy with their friends!
๐ด ๐๐ซ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ: ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐ฟ
At first glance, a horse in a grazing muzzle might remind you of Hannibal Lecter, but fortunately, the resemblance ends there! ๐๐ด
While the look may raise eyebrows, research has shown that grazing muzzles are a practical, evidence-based tool for managing weight, reducing the risk of laminitis, and allowing horses to enjoy turnout in a safer manner.
Despite these benefits, many of us feel guilty when using a grazing muzzle on a horse or pony. So, letโs explore what the science tells us about their benefits, proper use, and why this simple device can make a big difference in equine health.
๐ฝ๏ธ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ค๐
The goal of a grazing muzzle is to reduce intake of pasture, typically to manage weight of horses with metabolic concerns when consuming a more unpredictable forage (pasture) โ so does it work? Research has shown grazing muzzles reduce intake by 30% in horses grazing for 4 hours (Glunk et al., 2014) while grazing muzzles reduced intake by up to 83% for ponies grazing for 3 hours (Longland et al., 2011). Future research needs to evaluate changes in intake over longer periods of time but these findings demonstrate how effective grazing muzzles can be.
๐ข ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
While we may feel sorry for a horse or pony with a grazing muzzle, research has shown that grazing muzzles are not associated with increased physiological stress in ponies when salivary cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability were assessed (Davis et al., 2020).
๐ง ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ซ
Grazing muzzles did not alter aggressiveness, stereotypical (abnormal repetitive) behaviors, or voluntary exercise in ponies muzzled for 24 hours a day (Davis et al., 2020).
โ๏ธ ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ
While grazing muzzles have been shown to manage weight in ponies, the amount of time the grazing muzzle is worn throughout the day is important. One study reported that ponies wearing the grazing muzzle for at least 10 hours had reduced weight gain compared to unmuzzled ponies with the exception of one individual (Longland et al., 2016). However, a separate study found that ponies needed to be muzzled all day in order to control weight (Davis et al., 2020). These researchers believed that ponies engaged in compensatory grazing when the muzzle was removed which contributed to the lack of weight control in this study.
โค๏ธ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก
Ponies who wore a grazing muzzle all day had a decreased heart rate, suggesting grazing muzzles may have a cardiovascular benefit (Davis et al., 2020).
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
While there will always be an inherent risk when allowing metabolically sensitive horses or ponies to graze pasture, these findings demonstrate the benefits a grazing muzzle offers without negative implications. Considering laminitis is estimated to impact approximately 1 in 10 equids every year, this is a condition and risk that needs to be taken seriously and managed accordingly.
We all love seeing our horses happy on pasture - it feels natural and kind. But sometimes, what ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ด kind can actually put them at serious risk. The reality is, obesity is one of the leading preventable health risks in horses, and laminitis can be both devastating and irreversible.
Grazing muzzles donโt take away turnout or freedom, they give horses the ability to enjoy grass with reduced risks. Used properly, they allow for natural movement, social time, and enrichment while dramatically reducing calorie intake. Itโs not about being strict. Itโs about being smart and keeping your horse out of pain
โ ๏ธ There is never a one-size-fits-all solution! Always pair muzzle use with a vet or equine nutritionist's guidance.
Have you used a grazing muzzle? Share your experience below! ๐
And if any grazing muzzle companies want to fund future research evaluating the intake of long-term muzzle use or comparisons between different muzzle types - you know where to find me!
Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer
Longland AC, Barfoot C, Harris PA. The effect of wearing a grazing muzzle vs not wearing a grazing muzzle on pasture dry matter intake by ponies. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2011 May 1;31(5-6):282-3.
Longland AC, Barfoot C, Harris PA. Efficacy of wearing grazing muzzles for 10 hours per day on controlling bodyweight in pastured ponies. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016 Oct 1;45:22-7.
Glunk EC, Sheaffer CC, Hathaway MR, Martinson KL. Interaction of grazing muzzle use and grass species on forage intake of horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2014 Jul 1;34(7):930-3.
Davis KM, Iwaniuk ME, Dennis RL, Harris PA, Burk AO. Effects of grazing muzzles on behavior, voluntary exercise, and physiological stress of miniature horses housed in a herd. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2020 Nov 1;232:105108.
