If you’re wondering how to introduce your horse to a grazing muzzle for the first time, you came to the right place! If you’ve ever struggled with an overweight horse, you’re probably familiar with grazing muzzles. They’re designed to limit grass intake of horses that don’t need to be eating a ton of lush green grass. They can LITERALLY be lifesavers for some horses.
My Introduction to Grazing Muzzles
The first time I ever dealt with a grazing muzzle was a difficult time for me and my horse. That summer she was diagnosed with EPM, during her recovery, I wasn’t allowed to ride her. She was already an easy-keeper, and the fact that she lived on a HUGE lush North Carolina pasture didn’t help! At that time, the barn I boarded at was unable to accommodate her with a smaller paddock or dry lot, so I had no choice but to do that thing which we all feel guilty about… PUT A MUZZLE ON HER.
I had no choice. At our recent vet checkup, she was actually doing pretty well neurologically and seemed to be coming out of the woods on the EPM. That being said, during her time-off for recovery, she wasn’t getting worked. My vet was VERY concerned about her weight and the potential for laminitis. We did some blood tests for metabolic issues (she ended up testing positive for cushings), and in the mean time, I immediately went to work hand walking/hiking her and shopping for muzzles.
It was an extremely hot and muggy North Carolina summer, and I didn’t like the look of many of the canvas grazing muzzles. They don’t appear to have very good ventilation, and I didn’t want a heat stress injury or condition on top of EMP and whatever else she was already coping with! I tried the Easy Breathe muzzle, and it was a nightmare. After a few hours of wearing it, she had holes rubbed into her chin and she was completely depressed. It absolutely broke my heart.
I did A TON of research and decided on the Greenguard Grazing Muzzle. Yes, it’s a little pricier than other options, but it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than founder. I found that it was very easy to introduce her to the muzzle, and she wasn’t nearly as depressed in it. She actually carried on quite well in it, even in a herd full of big-personality mares! (None of whom had to wear one, and she maintained her mid/high-level status).
Introducing a Grazing Muzzle to a Horse For The First Time
Whether you’re introducing a Greenguard muzzle or any other type of muzzle to a horse, it’s important to make it a positive experience. In my video, I tried the muzzle on Monk for the first time. She has never worn a muzzle before, so I thought she would be a good candidate to show just how easy it is to introduce this type of muzzle to a horse. To ensure it was a good experience, I made sure to have a pocket of some of her favorite treats!
Even if your horse is on a diet, it’s important that you do this. Not only does it make a potentially scary experience fun and interesting, it will help them to learn that they CAN actually eat with a muzzle. (In one muzzle I put my other horse in, she simply didn’t eat…SO HEARTBREAKING to watch your frustrated baby give up!)
If your horse is on a diet already, use some low cal treats, or even some bits of hay! In the video, you can see that I use the approach-and-retreat method over and over. We go a little farther each time, but then I take the muzzle away. She continues to get rewarded with the treats, so I’m teaching her that the muzzle is a good thing. She begins to associate it going on with yummy snacks, and viola, her first experience is positive! She’s not worried at all, and she’s had no bad trauma or experience to color her future view of the muzzle.
Read Your Horse’s Emotions!
Introduce the grazing muzzle in a place that is familiar and comfortable to your horse, and READ your horse’s emotions CAREFULLY during the process. Don’t go faster than your horse is ready for. If you’re horse is not sure about the muzzle being on it’s nose, don’t just go ahead and strap it on. That will scare her, and lead to a bad experience.
Read your horse, and go slowly with every step. Monk makes it look easy, but she trusts me and knows I won’t do something that would put her over her fear threshold. Respect your horse by taking the time necessary to introduce the grazing muzzle positively and slowly enough to make him or her feel comfortable and safe.
I recommend always giving a little something yummy when putting the muzzle on. Also, if they’re confused, poke a few blades of grass or hay in to make sure they know they can still eat while wearing it. Monitor your horse for the first day to ensure they’re comfortable eating and drinking with it on. I found my horse to adapt very quickly to the Greenguard, much quicker than other muzzles, and she acted like her normal sassy self in it.
Grazing Muzzle Introduction Safety Checklist
- Always use a break-away halter or safety break-away muzzle attachment.
- Take your time and go slowly.
- Have plenty of treats, even if your horse is on a diet.
- Introduce the muzzle in a SAFE and comfortable location for your horse, maybe with a buddy close by!
- TAKE YOUR TIME!
If you want to read my full review of the Greenguard grazing muzzle, click here, or go check it out on Amazon! You can can also find their safety halter on Amazon. Until next time, HAPPY TRAILS and get those chubby ponies moving!
