Measuring for a grazing muzzle?

[Catherine]

Having read all the really useful threads on grazing muzzles, I'm taking the plunge and buying a Best Friend Deluxe from Exsell to try and let my pony have some fun.

So, do you measure the circumference of the pony's muzzle at the nostrils or at the point where the headcollar noseband goes? Also, is the depth of the grazing muzzle relative to the circumference, or is it reasonably adjustable? My pony is a Welsh section A, so his head is not very long but he has quite a chubby, almost squarish muzzle. I'm concerned I'll need a size to fit his noseband measurement that would mean the muzzle comes up round his eyes!

Also, can anyone who's used this muzzle let me know how quickly/slowly you can reintrodude the pony back to grazing, and for how long, ultimately, you can leave them out? How much would you say the muzzle reduced their grass intake? I'd like to think he can go back to being out for several hours instead of his current hour in a skinny paddock.

Many thanks for your help - it's very reassuring to see how many other people worry the way I do about quality of life for equine friends who can seemingly live on fresh air.

[Equitating]

I have a Best Friend muzzle but just ordered the "horse" size. Why don't you ask the supplier or manufacturer specifics for a tricky fit?

My horse adjusted quickly to wearing the muzzle and I let her out for 8 hours or so when normally she would be able to have grass access for an hour. You can also take the muzzle off for a while so your pony can have free grass access for a short period. You will soon figure out what is best for your pony.

Good product, I think.

[Pooh BearTB]

:confused: What is a grazing muzzle? I've seen pictures, but never knew just what they were used for. Do you use if you have a small fields to limit the grass intake for the horse?

[Bebe]

I didn't measure for my muzzle as it was very kindly given to me in return for a donation to charity. It was horse sized however but was too shallow for my mare, even with her headcollar adjusted so that the noseband was as low as it would go. It was very wide though so if all the sizes are cut in this way, you shouldn't have any problems with one being wide enough for your pony without being too deep.

I ended up using a Greenguard muzzle but I imagine the introduction would be the same for both. I started by putting it on my mare for an hour or so a day, twice a day if I could manage it (weekends). After a few days of doing this I left it on for a morning (a kind friend nipped up to the yard and took it off at lunchtime for me). Did this for a couple of days and then left it on for 8 hours or so. My mare didn't have a problem with this.

Don't hang around in the field watching once you've put it on though, they know that you're there and will look miserable and pathetic! I found that if I left her alone she'd be grazing when I went back up to take it off, but if I stayed in the field, even if I thought I was out of sight, she looked miserably and stood hanging her head!