Best Grazing Muzzle for Horses

Last Updated on September 1, 2020

Are you searching for the top grazing muzzle for your horse?

Preventing over eating is helpful in lowering the health risks that come with overeating. And this can be boosted with a quality equine muzzle. With that in mind I have reviewed the top models currently available and after reading this article you will know my recommendations.

Check out the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for my top rated picks for horses, or read on for the full review:

1. GREENGUARD Grazing Muzzle
2. Tough-1 Deluxe Easy Breathe V
3. Shires Nylon Grass Muzzle
4. Best Friend Pony
5. Barn & Stable Hybrid
6. Tough 1 Easy Breathe V
7. Cashel Horse
8. Weaver Leather Grass Muzzle
9. Weatherbeeta USA Pony Roma
10. Shires Deluxe

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What Are the Benefits of a Grazing Muzzle?

Some horses tend to overeat when they are turned out on a pasture, which can cause a number of equine health problems if you are not careful. Rather than limiting the time that they enjoy out on a pasture, with the use of one of the following muzzles, you can make sure that your horse’s intake is limited.

A top quality model will allow the horse to enjoy being out on the pasture and grazing, but because they limit how much the horse is able to eat, there isn’t a concern of the horse overeating. This is a boost to overall equine health. Additionally, horses are able to socialize with others and get the exercise that they need. This can help to alleviate boredom, which is a great answer to consider using one for your horse.

How Do They Work and Are They Safe?

Grazing muzzles do not hinder the horse’s ability to run free and roam, but they do prevent the horse from being able to eat as much as they like all day long by reducing how much grass the horse is able to get into their mouth.

These muzzles are perfectly safe to use as long as they have been fitted to the horse. It’s also important to make sure that your fence is safe for a horse with a muzzle, as you do not want the muzzle to get caught on stray wires or other catch points, which can cause the horse to get caught.

It’s also important to make sure that your horse is willing and able to drink water when they have it on.

Horses can easily drink water with the muzzle, but some animals may have to get used to the muzzle before they are willing to drink with it on.

How to Introduce the Use of a Grazing Muzzle

It’s incredibly helpful if you make the experience of using one as positive as possible for your horse.

This means that you need to be willing to give your horse treats to help them associate the muzzle with positive reinforcement.

By slowly putting the muzzle onto the horse a little bit at a time, you can make sure that this is not a scary process for them.

Make sure that you show the horse that they can eat through the muzzle by putting hay or grass through it once it is on the horse.

Remember that it may take a while to introduce the horse to the muzzle and that if the horse gets nervous or upset that you can easily back off and try again later.

How to Size and Fit for Your Horse

Fitting a new grazing muzzle may seem difficult, but as long as you are willing to try out a few different muzzles, you should easily be able to find the right one for your horse.

There are a number of different styles, and once you have found the right one, you can rest easy knowing that your horse will be able to graze without overeating.

If the muzzle is rubbing your horse raw, then that is a sign that it is too small and needs to be replaced.

If your horse is able to pull off the muzzle, then it may be too big or simply the wrong style for them.

Make sure that you can easily fit two fingers between the horse’s face and the muzzle to ensure that it is not too tight.

10 Top Rated Grazing Muzzles

Maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging as some horses and ponies have a tendency to overeat when out to pasture. Stabling your horse all day is not the most efficient way to approach this issue and instead utilizing a quality grazing muzzle is a much more helpful option. A good model can also be helpful when going on multi day trail rides. When reviewing the top models available I reviewed for comfort, performance, and durability. With that in mind, here are my recommendations for the top options for your horse or pony.

Greenguard Grazing Muzzle

The four breakaway safety straps ensure that your horse will not panic or be injured if they accidentally catch their muzzle on the fence or anything in the pasture when they are out grazing. This will give you great peace of mind. The open design of this muzzle allows horses to breathe freely while they are grazing, which is important, especially when they are outside in hotter weather.

Pros

• The lightweight design means that this model is much cooler for the horse
• Doesn’t tend to rub the horse’s face, which can be painful

Cons

• This model is too big to safely fit in a stall waterer and can cause the horse to get stuck and panic

Tough-1 Deluxe Easy Breathe V

The padding at the jaw line and the crown ensure that your horse will be as comfortable as possible when wearing this muzzle. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about your horse not being able to easily breathe when wearing this option thanks to the large holes in the front. Thanks to the size of the holes, horses don’t have any problems drinking when wearing this muzzle.

Pros

• The Velcro breaks away easily when the horse gets caught
• V-strap on the nose keeps the muzzle in place and prevents it from shifting

Cons

• Is very heavy and can be uncomfortable for the horse to wear for long periods of time

Shires Nylon Grass Muzzle

Made with high-quality rubber and nylon, you won’t have any concern over this muzzle either being damaged or accidentally hurting your horse when they have it on. The throatlatch helps to keep the muzzle in the proper position so that it doesn’t slip when on the horse. The strong rubber base can’t be damaged by normal grazing, but still allows the horse to breathe easily.

Pros

• The adjustable buckles make it very easy to fit this muzzle to your horse without it being uncomfortable
• Durable stitching ensures that the muzzle will last

Cons

• Plastic strips up the sides of the muzzle can dig into their face if not adjusted correctly

Best Friend Pony

Made with all synthetic materials, this muzzle is designed to stand up to bad weather without being damaged. The padding on the noseband will prevent chafing and rubbing, and the breakaway snap ensures that your horse won’t get caught on anything and scared or hurt. You can easily adjust the straps to ensure a secure fit that isn’t too tight.

Pros

• Doesn’t smell or release fumes the way that other muzzles will tend to do
• Very lightweight, which makes it comfortable for even younger horses to wear

Cons

• Doesn’t offer the greatest fit around the nose

Barn & Stable Hybrid

The Barn & Stable Hybrid is surprisingly high quality. Prior to researching my favorites for this list I had never heard of this model. It fits well and did not rub any hair off my horse after four hours a day of use during a full week. The large front openings are aligned with the horse’s nostrils and should make for little breathing restriction. The deep basket is designed to prevent your horse from pulling the muzzle off. My horse seemed rather comfortable wearing the muzzle after about 10 minutes and was happily back to enjoying his time at pasture.

Pros

• Deep basket prevents easy removal by your horse
• Large openings at nostrils for easier breathing
• Appears to be a comfortable fit with limited rubbing

Cons

• Some black from the rubber came off when the muzzle was wet

Tough 1 Easy Breathe V

This is another solid option from Tough One. Also sporting a V strap that is fully adjustable allowing you to secure the muzzle comfortably and effectively. The basket’s front holes are fairly large improving air flow for breathing while the bottom holes are adequately small to do the job of slowing the eating rate down. The nylon feels strong and durable which should mean a good life for this muzzle. The clips are “quick grip” which were easy to use though I haven’t used it long enough to say the closures will last as long as the nylon. Comes in pony size, which also works for yearlings, small horses, and large horse size.

Pros

• Strong nylon construction
• Good sized breathing holes
• Comes in numerous sizes and is adjustable

Cons

• Longevity of closures not fully tested by me

Cashel Horse Grass Halter

This horse sized muzzle has a basket circumference of 23.5″. My horse was able to drink with it on and did not seem overly concerned after wearing it for a few minutes. I was a little unsure about the strap holding up as it felt less sturdy than other models and did not leave it on as long. I noticed a little rubbing near the poll but it was minimal. The hook at the bottom also is prominent enough to where it could get caught on things. This is an ok muzzle but with the other options on the market I would invest elsewhere.

Pros

• Openings big enough for breathing and drinking freely
• Decent value for the money

Cons

• Not as sturdy as other models
• Lead ring could get caught on things in pasture
• Rubbed some hair off near poll

Weaver Leather Grazing Muzzle

I am a happy Weaver Leather customer of multiple items and this offering from them has been added to the list. I am impressed with the quality of materials. It has a crown piece made of vegetable tanned leather and the rest of the straps are neoprene lined nylon. The buckles feel strong and should last over time. The Breathing holes are not as large as other models so I would not use this particular model in hot weather but for the rest of the year this is an excellent option. The muzzle feels like a quality halter and my horse was used to it in minutes. I highly recommend this model from Weaver Leather unless you need it during very hot weather.

Pros

• Very well constructed, leather, nylon, and neoprene
• Quality buckles
• Good value

Cons

• Not ideal for hot weather

Weatherbeeta USA Pony Roma

This is a solid performing pony grazing muzzle. It is well constructed and should stand up to a decent amount of use. The breathing holes are not very big, so again care should be taken if being used during hot weather. It fit comfortably and my pony was off to business shortly after putting it on. I made sure he could eat and drink through the holes and he was able to. While not the overall top pony option on the list, this is a good value for the money.

Pros

• Well constructed
• Good fit for ponies
• Good value

Cons

• Breathing holes somewhat small

Shires Deluxe Grass Muzzle

Another very well constructed option from Shires. The deluxe model is well padded with a fleece lining. The straps are fairly strong and completely adjustable allowing for a comfortable fit. The closures were strong and feel like they will hold up to multiple uses. There is a D ring allowing you to use it as a halter. I am generally leary of these so always watch your horse when wearing this at pasture. The holes are not as big as some on this list so watch use during hot weather. But the holes allow your horse to drink freely. This is a great option for a cool weather muzzle.

Pros

• Fleece lining
• Well constructed
• Durable hardware

Cons

• D ring could get caught on objects

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For more guides and tips read these articles:

• Horseback Riding Helmet Recommendations
• Horse Trailer Cover
• Horse Trailer Camera
• Groom Ninja shedding tool Review

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Conclusion

A quality, well fitting equine grazing muzzle can help even the biggest over eaters not consume too much when out to pasture.

Any of my picks will fit the bill, but always watch that your horse’s grass muzzle is fitting properly and that they are drinking water when it is on.