Grazing muzzles can be a contentious subject, but for many owners, they are a necessary tool to try and manage weight and laminitis risk. If you need support on how to use grazing muzzles, the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) has some excellent resources. In addition, the University of Liverpool has a guide on alternative grazing systems.
- Read the NEWC Grazing Muzzle Guidance HERE.
- Watch the NEWC Grazing Muzzle Video HERE.
- Here is the University of Liverpool alternative Grazing Systems information HERE.
The Survey Results
The survey was posted on the DrDavidMarlin Facebook page and shared in multiple Facebook groups. It was live for 8 days, and 1082 responses were received. The majority of respondents were “currently” (41%) or had “previously” used (53%) a grazing muzzle, whilst 7% had “never used one”. The most common reasons given for not using grazing muzzles were:
- Think they cause frustration – 65%
- Never needed to use one – 33%
- Think they cause injury – 30%
N.B. Respondents could vote for multiple options in this question.
51% of respondents had used a grazing muzzle on a horse and 48% on a pony. The most common reasons given for using a grazing muzzle were:
- Weight management – 89%
- EMS/Cushings/Laminitis – 77%
- Colic – 4%
- Behaviour – 1%
- PSSM – 1%
N.B. Respondents could vote for multiple options in this question.
Perhaps not surprisingly most people said they used grazing muzzles in the Spring to Autumn, but 19% said they used them all year around.
Most respondents felt the grazing muzzle they used FITTED either “Very well” (27%) or “Well” (43%). Most respondents also reported that their horse or pony either “immediately accepted it” (36%) or after “a few hours” (32%) or after “a few days” (17%). However, 12% said their horse or pony “never got used to it”. 69% said the grazing muzzle they used stayed on “Very well” or “Well” but 49% said they had to modify the grazing muzzle they had purchased. The most common modifications were:
- Tying or electrical taping or tie-wraps or duct-taping or Velcro onto headcollar
- Plaiting them into the mane
- Using sheepskin or neoprene or other materials to pad and prevent rubbing
- Increasing the size of the hole at the bottom
- Cutting off straps and attaching to a fieldsafe headcollar
Most horses and ponies wore the grazing muzzle for 6-12h per day.
41% said the grazing muzzle did not ANNOY OR UPSET their horse or pony, whilst 36% felt it did “Slightly”, with 15% “Moderately” and 8% “Severely”.
43% said the grazing muzzle did not RUB, but 37% said it did “Slightly”, 16% “Moderately” and 4% “Severely”.
83% said the grazing muzzle did not DAMAGE THEIR HORSES TEETH, but 11% said it did “Slightly”, 4% “Moderately” and 2% “Severely”.
89% said they did not think the grazing muzzle interfered with their horses BREATHING.
Only 2% of respondents did not feel the grazing muzzle RESTRICTED PASTURE INTAKE and 5% thought it only slightly restricted intake.
22% of respondents used more than ONE MUZZLE on their horse or pony.
36 different Brands/Models of Grazing Muzzles were mentioned, but only 13 received at least 10 ratings and were included in the final analysis as it is considered that ratings for Brands/Models with less than 10 ratings are not likely to be reliable.
The table below shows the final average score given by respondents for each of the 13 Grazing Muzzles with at least 10 entries and the % of the ratings that were scored 10 out of 10. The remaining columns show how the Models/Brands were scored by respondents for a variety of features.
The Thinline Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle scored the highest overall (83%) and was top in 5 out of the 8 categories and also had the highest number of 10/10 ratings (33% of entries).
Overall Scores
Best and Worst
What do they cost?
The grazing muzzles rated with at least 10 ratings each cost between £12 for the Shires Plastic Muzzle (bucket style) and up to £150 for the EasyGrazer Classic. The graph below shows the typical cost alongside the overall score. So whilst the Thinline Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle scored the highest, it was also the second most expensive one at around £80. With a score of 74% and at only around £27 the Ultimate Grazing Muzzle would seem worth considering.
Bottom Line
There are clearly some good and poor grazing muzzles out there. In choosing one, it’s worth looking for muzzles that score well in the areas that are important to you. For example, if choosing one that does not rub is very important then the Thinline Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle came top in this category. If you have a horse or pony that destroys grazing muzzles then the Best Friend Have A Heart Horse Grazing / Laminitis Muzzle came top for being the most hard-wearing.
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